Winners: Karen Magnussen, Figure Skating

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Karen Magnussen  executes a spiral

Karen Magnussen performing a spiral on the ice.
Date: 1970’s
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

1973 - Feature Story

Karen Magnussen overcame physical and competitive adversity to stand atop the medal podium at the 1973 World Figure Skating Championships in Bratislava. In 1969 North Vancouver’s Magnussen, defending national women’s champion, fractured both legs and missed the entire competition season. But a year later she regained her national title and in 1971 she earned a Bronze medal at the World Figure Skating Championships in Lyon, France. Magnussen possessed outstanding artistry and athleticism, but the sport’s emphasis on compulsory figures favoured technically proficient skaters. Despite outstanding free skating performances, Magnussen only earned Silver medals at both the 1972 World Figure Skating Championships in Calgary and at the 1972 Olympic Winter Games in Sapporo, where she was the only Canadian Olympic medallist. A new marking system was introduced in 1973, and Magnussen flourished, captivating the world with her jumps, spins and performance to win the World title.

Career Highlights

  • 1973 Bobbie Rosenfeld Award (Canada’s female athlete of the year)
  • 1973 World Figure Skating Champion in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia.
  • 1972 Silver medal at the Olympic Winter Games in Sapporo
  • 1971 North American Figure Skating Champion in Peterborough, Ontario.
  • 1968, 1970-1973 Canadian Figure Skating Champion
Karen Magnussen’s pink figure skating costume

Figure skating costume worn by Karen Magnussen.
Date: 1970’s
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

World Figure Skating Championship paperweight

Paperweight from the World Championships in Calgary.
Date: 1972
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame

Photograph of Karen Magnussen

Portrait of Karen Magnussen.
Date: 1970’s
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

Karen Magnussen’s Olympic souvenir medal

Karen Magnussen received the souvenir medal from the 1972 Olympic Winter Games in Sapporo.
Date: 1972
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

Karen Magnussen skating

Karen Magnussen performing on the ice.
Date: 1970’s
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

Karen Magnussen on the podium

Karen Magnussen on the podium at a skating competition.
Date: 1970’s
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

Red figureskating costume worn by Karen Magnussen

Figure skating costume worn by Karen Magnussen.
Date: 1970’s
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

Karen Magnussen in the air

Karen Magnussen in mid-jump during a skating routine.
Date: 1970’s
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

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