sonia henie

Question 1

toller cranston

Answer 1

canadian medalist

regarded for his artistry and footwork

Question 2

barbara ann scott

Answer 2

world champion 1947, olympic gold 1948
- from ottawa, post-WWII hero

upon returning fro 1947 WC, she was gifted w a car

avery brundage, IOC pres, questioned amateur status and nearly barred from 1948 olympics

Question 3

why is figure skating seen as a girl’s sport

Answer 3

1. improvement of women’s skating abilities, progress surpassed men’s
   - men’s skating almost disappeared w war
2. sonia henie

Question 4

sonia henie accomplishments

Answer 4

olympic gold 1928, 1932, 1936
world title 1927-1936

major role in shifting societal thinking to believing figure skating is predominantly for women

pushed technical and stylistic avances

Question 5

the skater

Answer 5

painting by gilbert stuart

showed skater as a wealthy man
- skating used to be a man’s sport

Question 6

two skating styles for men in 1800s

Answer 6

1. english style: long turns, stiff arms and legs, upright
   - precision, need long ice surface
   - favoured groups of coordinated men
   - teamwork and discipline
2. continental style: merged skating w music, theatrics, artistry
   - on continent of europe
   - initially rejected by england

women not absent from skating, but were limited
- competed against men into 1920s

Question 7

jackson haines

Answer 7

father of continental style

american

Question 8

sonia henie early life

Answer 8

father wilhelm henie invested in her dev, forerunner of parents who sculpt athletes

trained in london, full-time coach

Question 9

henie’s popularity

Answer 9

high event attendance, hollywood career
- beloved for artistry, skill, music, and fashion (short skirts, white boots)

went on “barnstorming” tours

hollywood career: 10 films w 20th century fox, transition b/w athletics to commercial

Question 10

mary louise adams

Answer 10

says henie pulled attention of the spectator from the blades to henie/the athlete herself

traditional figures: set repeated patterns, judged based on grooves in ice

Question 11

jan stuabo

Answer 11

norwegian IOC member, fighter pilot in WWII
- refused to comment on henie’s legacy bcs of her alleged affair w hitler

1994 winter olympics games, first separated summer/winter

Question 12

joe lewis

Answer 12

african american boxer, alleged that his first loss was bcs of affair w sonia henie

Question 13

signs of henie’s commerical success

Answer 13

sachs fifth avenue opened figure skating department

1000 ice rinks opened

US women’s figure skates sales doubled

Question 14

final thoughts on henie

Answer 14

women = artists
men = technicians
- some change w toller cranston seen as artist

post WWII, men’s figure skating resurged w rivalry w dick button