1959 - 1962 Barbara Ann Roles AMERICAN CHAMP (photo)

Beautiful Barbara Roles takes a US title here in 1962, single handedly keeping the United States skating effort afloat. She had been the World and Olympic Bronze medalist in 1960 behind Carol Heiss and Sjoukje Dijkstra. Austrian Hanna Walter also figured in the competitive mix. She retired from competition (and I think had a baby??), but with the tragic 1961 Sabena plane crash, was convinced to return for the US. (I feel certain these rafters are at the Wilmington Ice Rink in Delaware - where many skaters have invested their youth, if not a lifetime-- but it could just as easily be the SC of Boston). Quansett huts were a popular rink structure.

She held a spot (placing 5th or 6th? at 62 Worlds), paving the way for other maturing Americans, like Lorraine Hanlon (perhaps America's most obscure National Champion 1963), Christina Haigler, Albertina Noyes, Pamela Schneider, Karen Howland, and Victoria Fischer to find their step.

She continues in coaching developing such talent as Lisa Marie Allen, Barbara Smith, Ken Newfield, Brian Pockar and many others.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• figure
• skating
• 1962
• Barbara
• Ann
• Roles
• US
• Nationals
• picture
• feature
• Lorraine
• Hanlon
• Albertina
• Noyes
• Karen
• Howland
• Christina
• Haigler
• Pamela
• Pammy
• Schneider
• VIctoria
• Fischer
• Hanna
• Walker
• Sjoukje
• Dijkstra
• Carol
• Heiss
• United
• States
• Sabena
• crash

[rocknlikedockin]

That's my grandmother! :)

[k9henrydog]

@rocknlikedockin Glad you found it!! There is a video of her skating at the 1962 Worlds. I will see if I can find it and send it to you.........she has been a great coach, and influential skater.....best wishes

[faeryquene]

@rocknlikedockin She was awesome! I love the split jump spiral combo she did at '62 Worlds. Very cool move! And she had a gorgeous layback spin. :)

[rocknlikedockin]

That's my grandmother!! :)

[k9henrydog]

It reminded me of Giant Football stadium, with the town down in the center, and all the homes ringing the surrounding hills. The roads were like aisles at a stadium...you could watch downtown from your house??!!! Different, to say the least....oh to be near an ice rink!!!!!

[HattieLovesCattie]

Alisa Viejo is a nice area but very desert like.Hubby and I drove thru that area over a year ago on vacation.Our friends were not home but we did drive by their house.I should have grown up north,not in the hot south where kids didn't ice skate.

[k9henrydog]

Yes, that Pasadena rink is like skating on the Titanic....such elegance....I sat and talked a long time with Chris Bowman backstage at the Atlanta Nationals 1980. He was very young then and looked like Donnie Osmond. He couldnt understand why I got nervous skating....he taught me some just have skating talent, and they go do it. If you havent GOT IT, you just never really make it!!! Yes, Paramount is a total mess, crime wise!! Scary!! It's Alisa Viejo as I recall, & thats a strange place too!

[HattieLovesCattie]

I lived in Hunt Bch off Adams which ran by the old Costa Mesa rink.I also saw the rink ( outside ) in Burbank and did see the old North Hollywood rink before the quake got it.Chris Bowman trained here.I got to meet him once,he was very nice and friendly.I never saw the Paramount rink but did see it once when driving by it,not a nice area to be in.The Costa Mesa rink closed ten years ago.The kids have to skate in Asio Viega,( sp ?)half hr away.I have seen the rink downtown Pasadena.

[k9henrydog]

Well, I know your neighborhood!! (I remember any hourse at that Carl Jrs after skating)!! I was skating there often on my business trips to Southern California. I preferred the big rink at Paramount though, and took a lot of dance lessons there. The incomparable Janet....her skating is ever present in my mind....I am glad the young ones can use YOUTUBE to see what we saw!!! It's important........best wishes