more on Skating outfits

So, today, more fun looks at vintage skating attire ... Which makes me say ...

What IS this guy wearing?? Tights and shorts and a tunic ... that's different. Actually they both have puffy topped sleeves, like a Disney's Snow White, which came out at this time. And, looking closer, she has a collar that stands up like Snow White's collar.  This photo is from a Canadian skating exhibition, not a competition, so I guess they are going for a themed look. Who knows, maybe they were skating to "Some Day my Prince Will Come."

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But back to serious skating, take a look at this video of the first Olympics in 1924.  It shows speed skating and clips of several of the figure skaters.

Sonya Henie was 11 years old at these Olympics, the youngest competitor.  Would we let someone that young compete today?  Probably not.  But, it is so fun to see her in action wearing the outfit I've seen so many times in still photos.

There are so many YouTube videos of Sonia Henie.  She was even in Hollywood movies!
Click on this link to find a list of her videos you can watch.

The video below shows many of the skaters from the 1936 Olympics.  Sonya Henie won gold that year. You can see how the routines are based on LOTS of spinning, very little jumping.

But what about the guys? ... WAIT ...

OH ... SORRY!  I was going to keep this blog about skating, but look what I found!

This is a bobsled team from 1924!! Look at their outfits! ... 

And LOOK at that sled. WOW, not too much protection.  So different from the encased bullet shaped things used now. I even found a video of the bobsled event from that year.

Back to skating and the guys. Alas, men's clothing is usually not as varied as women's, but it is interesting to see the male skaters from the past.

Here we have Ulrich Salchow in 1908, the one year skating was at the Summer Olympics.  He has a jump named after him! and Gilles Graftrom in 1932. They both are wearing what looks to me to be thick dancer's tights.

But this outfit is the best.  I'm sure these sweaters were hand knit.  And check out his socks! This is good old Sonia Henie again at the 1932 Olympics with Karl Schafer. She must have been in the pairs competition in addition to the solo skating. 

And while men will wear something a bit flamboyant from time to time, the basic skating outfit is black.  I can't decide if men are lucky to not have to worry about clothes so much, or not.

Both these photos are of Brain Boitano gold medalist in 1988.

So, Olympic week is over. I have had more fun digging up all these old photos and videos. I have only scratched the surface really.  Just go to YouTube and search and loose a few hours of your day.


FUN