Jeannette Eleanor Altwegg British figure skater who competed in women's singles Date of Birth: 08.09.1930 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Jeanette Eleanor Altwegg
2. Early Life and Career
3. Olympic Success and Retirement
4. Post-Skating Career and Personal Life

Biography of Jeanette Eleanor Altwegg

Jeanette Eleanor Altwegg was a British figure skater who competed in ladies' singles. She was the Olympic champion in 1952 and won a bronze medal at the 1948 Olympics. Additionally, she was the world champion in 1951 and a two-time European champion in 1952 and 1951.

Early Life and Career

Despite being born in India, Jeanette grew up in Lancashire, England. Her father, German Altwegg, who was of Swiss nationality, worked at the Liverpool Cotton Exchange. Jeanette started skating at the age of eight. However, she also had a serious interest in tennis and even reached the final of the junior championship at Wimbledon in 1947. After winning the British championship and placing fifth in her debut world championship in 1947, she decided to focus solely on figure skating and gave up tennis.

Olympic Success and Retirement

In her first Olympic Games, Jeanette won a bronze medal. She went on to win the gold medal at the world championship in 1951 and concluded her career by winning gold at the 1952 Winter Olympic Games. She excelled in compulsory figures but struggled in the free skate program, finishing second in the compulsory figures and sixth in the free skate in the 1948 Olympics and first in the compulsory figures and fourth in the free skate in 1952.

Post-Skating Career and Personal Life

Following her retirement, Jeanette chose a career as a teacher at a children's home in Switzerland, turning down a potentially lucrative professional career. In 1953, she married Swiss engineer Mark Wirtz, the brother of her friend Sisi Wirtz, a Swiss figure skating champion. They had four children together. In 1973, Jeanette and Mark divorced. Their daughter Christina became a curling champion, winning the Swiss championship in 1983 and a bronze medal at the European championship.

Overall, Jeanette Eleanor Altwegg achieved great success in figure skating, earning numerous titles and medals throughout her career. She made a significant impact in the sport and later dedicated herself to teaching and raising a family.