icenetwork.com: Skaters

Skaters

Sonja Henie

Born:

April 8, 1912

Birthplace:

Kristiania (Oslo)

Height:

5' 3"

Level:

Senior

Hometown:

Oslo,

Training Town:

Oslo

Club:

Oslo Skating Club

Coach:

Hjordis Olsen, Howard Nicholson, Gillis Grafstrom

Choreographer:

Tamara Karsavina

Henie was figure skating's first true star. She won the gold medal for Norway at the 1928, 1932 and 1936 Olympic Winter Games.

Henie started skating and dancing as a child. She won her first Norwegian championship when she was 10 and participated in her first Olympic Winter Games in 1924 at the age of 11. She won the first of 10 consecutive World championships in 1927 and the following year captured her first Olympic gold medal, at St. Moritz, Switzerland. She also won six consecutive European championships.

Henie turned professional in 1936. She performed in popular ice shows into the 1950s and made a number of successful films, many of which featured her skating. She also made ice skating television specials in the 1950s. Henie died in a place crash on Oct. 12, 1969.

Henie was a pioneer in the sport. She introduced the idea that ladies skaters should wear white ice skating boots, and skirts and dresses while on the ice.