Like cheyenneindians, I was a student at Stephanie's school for 13 years and knew her pretty well. I liked her and was very sad when she died so tragically.
To Otto- There was a book that came out recently called Indelible Tracings by Patricia Shelley Bushman. If this is the person who has your videos I am sure you can find her on the internet and contact her.
Stephanie did really well. I'm sorry about what happened to her and her sister Sharon and everybody else on the plane. I wasn't even born when that awful incident happened.
Thanks for posting this great piece of history. The jump technique was so different back then! But this was a lovely performance and it's so nice to be able to see it today.
I have never seen footage of these skaters; just heard of their names. I just watched Laurence Owen's FS When you hear stories about the crash most of the focus is on Laurence and her mom and sister. The reasons are obvious.Speculation was Laurence might have won 1964 Olympics if she lived. Thing is, Stephanie seems to be the better skater here. She was faster and cleaner, better spins. She popped a jump this comp and got Silver.We'll never know but I think this girl was the future star.
My name is Otto Westerfeld Jr. Stephanie and Sharon were my half sisters....we shared the same Dad.
My Dad never got over the loss.
This past summer I was approached by a women here in KC who said she was writing a book. She asked for videos that I had so she could copy them. She never returned them to me.
What a world we live in...now my own children cannot see the videos nor can I.
@owestjr1 I am so sorry to hear this. Some people have no heart. Stephanie was a beautiful skater. Do you have any way of reaching the woman who "borrowed" your films.
@owestjr1 I am so sorry for your loved one's loss. I never knew them but my heart breaks each time I see vintage footage about them. Do you remember that woman's name? If she was writing a book about the tragedy perhaps she could be traced throug her publisher, agent, maybe even on a social network like Facebook. It's reprehensible she did not return the videos to you! I wish you luck in finding them again. Peace.
@owestjr1 How terrible of her! Have you thought of contacting the US Figure Skating Association? They may be able to provide your family with film or video. The film RISE about the crash featured quite a bit about Steffi, Shari and the Westerfeld family. Your half sisters were very talented skaters.
You really ought to try and get those videos back, if she won´t give them to you voluntarily you should report her to the police. This is your heritage, not hers! All the best and good luck!
You really ought to try and get those videos back, if she won´t give them to you voluntarily you should report her to the police. This is your heritage, not hers! All the best and good luck!
I went clear through school (K-12) with Stephanie and was at that school when news came of the crash. She always said hello to a shy nerd like me. She would get crowd exposure by skating for the fans between periods at the Colorado College hockey games at the Broadmoor World Arena.
So glad to see you online, and look forward to more early videos, they are marvelous. We have been looking hard for Stephanie and you will make a lot of people happy with this post!!! best wishes.....
Funny how the skaters skate right off into the crowd...so different from today!
BoraBoraGirl2001 9 months ago
Stepanie sat in the desk in from of me in seveal 8th grade classes at Cheyenne Mt.
Elementary...will always remember that tragic event. It was a wonderful time at the Broadmoor for figure skating.
geojaw 1 year ago
Like cheyenneindians, I was a student at Stephanie's school for 13 years and knew her pretty well. I liked her and was very sad when she died so tragically.
steve@slhawk.com
042843042843 1 year ago
Beautiful. What a tragedy. February 15, 1961 was the day my sister was born. I guess that wasn't such a happy day after all.
Tom Degan
TomDegan 1 year ago
To Otto- There was a book that came out recently called Indelible Tracings by Patricia Shelley Bushman. If this is the person who has your videos I am sure you can find her on the internet and contact her.
helenesg7 1 year ago 3
I have to add-that looked like a ton of jumps from start to finish!!! No front-loading for Stephanie God Rest her sweet soul. :)
faeryquene 1 year ago 2
Stephanie did really well. I'm sorry about what happened to her and her sister Sharon and everybody else on the plane. I wasn't even born when that awful incident happened.
EZR09 1 year ago 2
Thanks for posting this great piece of history. The jump technique was so different back then! But this was a lovely performance and it's so nice to be able to see it today.
SOLE2SOUL 1 year ago 2
I have never seen footage of these skaters; just heard of their names. I just watched Laurence Owen's FS When you hear stories about the crash most of the focus is on Laurence and her mom and sister. The reasons are obvious.Speculation was Laurence might have won 1964 Olympics if she lived. Thing is, Stephanie seems to be the better skater here. She was faster and cleaner, better spins. She popped a jump this comp and got Silver.We'll never know but I think this girl was the future star.
Daybreaq 2 years ago 2
My name is Otto Westerfeld Jr. Stephanie and Sharon were my half sisters....we shared the same Dad.
My Dad never got over the loss.
This past summer I was approached by a women here in KC who said she was writing a book. She asked for videos that I had so she could copy them. She never returned them to me.
What a world we live in...now my own children cannot see the videos nor can I.
owestjr1 2 years ago 14
@owestjr1 I am so sorry someone would do that to you. Oh how awful. Why would anyone do that? I am truly sorry.
PecanSandees23 1 year ago 2
@owestjr1 I hope you can track down this mean woman when her book is finished and demand she return the videos.
HattieLovesCattie 1 year ago 2
@owestjr1 I am so sorry to hear this. Some people have no heart. Stephanie was a beautiful skater. Do you have any way of reaching the woman who "borrowed" your films.
bengolly 1 year ago 2
@owestjr1 I am so sorry for your loved one's loss. I never knew them but my heart breaks each time I see vintage footage about them. Do you remember that woman's name? If she was writing a book about the tragedy perhaps she could be traced throug her publisher, agent, maybe even on a social network like Facebook. It's reprehensible she did not return the videos to you! I wish you luck in finding them again. Peace.
faeryquene 1 year ago 2
@owestjr1
What a pathetic shame to hear!
rickram1961 1 year ago
@owestjr1 How terrible of her! Have you thought of contacting the US Figure Skating Association? They may be able to provide your family with film or video. The film RISE about the crash featured quite a bit about Steffi, Shari and the Westerfeld family. Your half sisters were very talented skaters.
vesperholly 1 year ago 2
@owestjr1 Can you not go and find her?
mcwolfus 1 year ago
You really ought to try and get those videos back, if she won´t give them to you voluntarily you should report her to the police. This is your heritage, not hers! All the best and good luck!
Nichoo28 11 months ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
You really ought to try and get those videos back, if she won´t give them to you voluntarily you should report her to the police. This is your heritage, not hers! All the best and good luck!
Nichoo28 11 months ago
I went clear through school (K-12) with Stephanie and was at that school when news came of the crash. She always said hello to a shy nerd like me. She would get crowd exposure by skating for the fans between periods at the Colorado College hockey games at the Broadmoor World Arena.
cheyenneindians 2 years ago 7
@cheyenneindians Thanks for sharing that! She seems to have been a lovely girl. And a great athlete-that's obvious from this footage. :)
faeryquene 1 year ago
Beautiful performance! thanks for posting this video.
dvdneely 3 years ago 2
So glad to see you online, and look forward to more early videos, they are marvelous. We have been looking hard for Stephanie and you will make a lot of people happy with this post!!! best wishes.....
k9henrydog 4 years ago 3
Thanks for posting this! Hope you have more rare skating vids!!!
northtexasdude 4 years ago 3