The Austrian Figure Skating Championships (German: Österreichische Staatsmeisterschaften) are a figure skating national championship held annually to determine the national champions of Austria. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.
The German-Austrian Figure Skating Championships were held until 1895. The first Austrian Figure Skating Championships for men were held in 1898 in Vienna. In 1913, the first Austrian Figure Skating Championships for Ladies were held in Prague.
From 1938 (annexation of Austria into Greater Germany by the Nazi regime) until the end of World War II in 1945, Austria did not exist. So "Gau-Championships" ("Ostmark" Championships) were held instead of Austrian Championships from 1938 to 1943. In 1944 and 1945 no championships were held at all.
Famous quotes containing the words austrian, figure and/or skating:
“The war shook down the Tsardom, an unspeakable abomination, and made an end of the new German Empire and the old Apostolic Austrian one. It ... gave votes and seats in Parliament to women.... But if society can be reformed only by the accidental results of horrible catastrophes ... what hope is there for mankind in them? The war was a horror and everybody is the worse for it.”
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)
“And the friend not hesitates
To assign just place and mates;
Answers not in word or letter,
Yet is understood the better;
Is to his friend a looking-glass,
Reflects his figure that doth pass.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“In skating over thin ice, our safety is in our speed.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)