Arnold Gerschwiler

Arnold Gerschwiler OBE (28 May 1914 in Arbon, Switzerland – 22 August 2003 in Cheam, Surrey, United Kingdom) was a Swiss figure skating coach.

He was born in Arbon, Switzerland and at the encouragement of his half-brother Jacques moved to London. He was head coach at the Richmond Ice Rink from 1938 and was made director in 1964 until its demolition in 1992. He was awarded the OBE in 1997. He headed a team of up to 28 full-time teachers training skaters from all over the world, discovering 42 Champions, many from London. He coached the Czech skater Alena Vrzanova (Ajaj Zanova), world champion in 1949 and 1950, as well as his nephew Hans Gerschwiler, the 1948 Olympic silver medalist.

He also coached John Curry, the British skater Valda Osborn, British champion in 1952 and 1953 and European champion in 1953.

Other European top skaters he coached were: Vladislav Cap, Helmut Seibt, Michael Booker, Daphne Walker, Hanna Eigel, Sjoukje Dijkstra and Joan Haanappel.

He married Violet Blundell in August 1941, and together they had two girls Stella and Claire. He had two grandsons and two granddaughters. He died on 22 August 2003 in a hospital at the age of 89.

Arnold and his brother Jacques were enshrined into the Professional Skaters Association's Coaches Hall of Fame in 2004.

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