The National Championships of the German Democratic Republic in Figure Skating were the figure skating national championship held annually to determine the national champions of the German Democratic Republic, often referred to as East Germany. Skaters competed in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.
They were held annually between 1949 and 1990, the years of the existence of the German Democratic Republic, and were organized by the DELV, the national figure skating association of the GDR. During the same period, the German Figure Skating Championships were held in the Federal Republic of Germany, commonly known as West Germany.
Following the reunification of Germany, East German skaters competed at the German Championships, and the East German championships were no longer held.
Famous quotes containing the words east, german, figure and/or skating:
“The current of our thoughts made as sudden bends as the river, which was continually opening new prospects to the east or south, but we are aware that rivers flow most rapidly and shallowest at these points.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“By an application of the theory of relativity to the taste of readers, to-day in Germany I am called a German man of science, and in England I am represented as a Swiss Jew. If I come to be regarded as a bête noire the descriptions will be reversed, and I shall become a Swiss Jew for the Germans and a German man of science for the English!”
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955)
“I guess you know, Bob, that if I see you again, I’m just going to start shooting and figure it’s self-defense.”
—David Webb Peoples, screenwriter. Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman)
“In skating over thin ice, our safety is in our speed.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)