Career
Valda started skating at 2 1/2 years at Wembley Ice Rink and was coached by Arnold Gerschwiler. Arnold was her only coach during her entire amateur career. At age 5, Valda won her first competition for "Under Sixes". At 9 1/2 years she passed the NSA gold medal at Richmond Ice Rink on 6 June 1944 (D-Day). She was the youngest skater to pass her Gold and she still holds this record to this day. She continued skating at Richmond during and after the War. She became the British Champion in 1952 and again in 1953 under the guidance of Arnold Gerschwiler. In 1953 Valda won the European Championship at Dortmund, Germany. She is the last British women's figure skater to win the European championship to this date. Valda Osborn was awarded the Harry E. Radix skating pin after winning the 1953 European Championship title. Valda is the only European champion that was awarded the Radix pin. In 1953 Valda won the Bronze medal at the World Championship in Davos, Switzerland.
During her amateur career she was featured in British magazines such as "Everybodys Weekly" (20 December 1947) and "Illustrated" (26 January 1952). She was also interviewed on the BBC radio show "In Town Tonight".
Valda Osborn can be seen at the following sites: 1. BritishPathe.com; European Ice Skating Championships (1953). Approx. last 60 seconds of video. 2. BritishPathe.com: Skating Champions (1948). Valda Osborn is shown skating with Aja Zanova and Joan Lister. 3. HBO "Reflections on Ice" video. Valda is shown on podium at 1953 World Championship in Davos. This is about 1/2 way through (around 30 minutes) the 60 minute show. Valda is on the left. Tenley Albright is in the center and Gundi Busch is on the right.
She turned professional in 1953 and starred in Tom Arnold's Ice Circus in Brighton and then starred in Tom Arnold's Robinson Crusoe on Ice in the winter of 1953 at the Grand Theatre, Leeds.
Valda then turned to coaching ice skaters in Manchester, Whitley Bay, Brighton and finally in Richmond. When Richmond Ice Rink closed down and the property was redeveloped, Valda retired.
Read more about this topic: Valda Osborn
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