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Maribel VinsonAmerican figure skater and coach
Date of Birth: 29.10.1911
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Marybel Vinson-Owen: American Figure Skating Icon
- Dominance in Women's Singles
- Pairs Skating Success
- 1932 Olympic Games
- Beyond Competition
- Coaching Legacy
- Family and Heartbreak
- 1961 Sabena Flight 548 Disaster
- Legacy and Honors
Marybel Vinson-Owen: American Figure Skating Icon
Early Life and Skating CareerBorn into a family of figure skaters, Marybel Vinson was introduced to the sport from an early age. At nine, she began formal training at the Boston Arena, quickly rising through the ranks. By age 12, she had won the U.S. junior championship.
Dominance in Women's Singles
Vinson's exceptional talent was evident in her nine U.S. National Championships titles in women's singles skating, a record she shares with Michelle Kwan. From 1928 to 1937, she reigned supreme on the national stage, with only one exception in 1934.
Pairs Skating Success
In addition to her singles accomplishments, Vinson also excelled in pairs skating. She partnered with Thornton Coolidge to win two national titles in 1928 and 1929. Later, she teamed up with George Hill, winning four more national championships from 1933 to 1937.
1932 Olympic Games
Vinson's international debut came at the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, where she earned a bronze medal in women's singles. She placed behind Norwegian champion Sonja Henie and Austrian runner-up Fritzi Burger.
Beyond Competition
Vinson's contributions to figure skating extended beyond her competitive career. She became the first female sports reporter for The New York Times and authored several books on the sport. After retiring from amateur skating, she married Canadian figure skater Guy Owen and toured with professional ice shows.
Coaching Legacy
Upon her return to the rink as a coach, Vinson-Owen played a pivotal role in developing future champions. She trained Tenley Albright to five U.S. titles and the first American Olympic gold medal in women's figure skating. She also mentored Frank Carroll, who went on to become one of the most successful American coaches, guiding Michelle Kwan to numerous world and national titles and Evan Lysacek to an Olympic gold medal.
Family and Heartbreak
Vinson-Owen's life was marked by both joy and tragedy. Her daughters, Marybel and Laurence Owen, followed in her footsteps as successful figure skaters. However, in 1952, her husband Guy died unexpectedly, leaving her to raise her young children alone.
1961 Sabena Flight 548 Disaster
In a devastating turn of events, Vinson-Owen and her daughters perished in the Sabena Flight 548 crash in 1961. The American figure skating team, including both of her daughters, was en route to the World Championships in Prague when the plane went down. The tragedy claimed the lives of all 72 passengers and crew members.
Legacy and Honors
Despite her untimely demise, Vinson-Owen's legacy lives on. She was posthumously inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1976 and again in 1994 in the pairs category with George Hill. In 2002, she was elected into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame. Her daughters, Laurence and Marybel, were inducted into the U.S. Hall of Fame in 2011. In her hometown of Winchester, Massachusetts, an elementary school bears her name, honoring her contributions to the sport and her enduring spirit.
