BLACK ICE

LEGENDS

Mabel Fairbanks. Beautiful, Poised, the "Grand Dame " of African - American figure skaters.Born November 14, 1915.  In 1997 she became the First African - American Woman to be inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame. She coached competitive skaters of all races and backgrounds. She worked with some of the most famous U.S.skaters including Babilonia & Gardner,Galindo, Hamilton, and Yamaguchi. She coached the first African - American to win a national title in 1966 - Atoy Wilson.- men's novice. Click here for an adult photo of Atoy. This photo is from the Ice Follies photo Gallery. She also coached Richard Ewell & Michelle McCaddie - the first African - American pairs team to win a national title in 1972. Ms. Fairbanks died September 29, 2001. Click here to see rare photos of Ms. Fairbanks when she was a child. This is a great article about Ms. Fairbanks. Click here. A wonderful article was published by Oksana Louis - Ms. Fairbanks student - on Delta Winds. The aricle's title -The Great Skater. To read it click here .Here is another great article with photos from the African American registry. Click here to read.

HOME

LADIES

MEN

Tai Babilonia & Randy Gardner. Tai & Randy. These names bring a big smile across the face of any true skating fan. They are perfection on ice. Artistic and Exquisite. Smooth & Elegant! Tai was born September 22, 1959 and Randy was born December 2, 1957. They are 5 time U.S. National Pairs Champions -1976-1980, World Pair Champions for 1979, and World Professional Champions.  Here is an article celebrating their 30 years together on the ice. The article was written in 1997- it's nice. Click here.

PAIRS

DANCE

Bobby Beauchamp.  Elegant, Powerful and Strong. In 1979 he became the first African - American to win a world medal - He was the silver medalist at Junior Worlds. He is the 1979 Junior U.S. silver medalist. The 1983 U.S. Senior pewter medalist and Skate America bronze medalist. The 1987 U.S. Professional Championship bronze medalist, and the 1988 U.S. World Professional Championship bronze medalist. For many years he was touring with Ice Capades. He is a coach, choreographer, and skating judge. Click 1 for a beautiful photo of Bobby and click 2 for a wonderful photo of him skationg pairs with Beth Anne Duxbury.

INTERNATIONAL       TALENT

DYK

Catherine Machado. Beautiful, Strong, Poised and Classy. The first Hispanic athlete to compete on the U.S. Olympic Team - she placed 8th at the 1956 Olympics. She was the Senior Ladies bronze medalist at the 1955 and 1956 U.S. Nationals. She was 10th at the 1955 World Figure Skating Championships  and 6th at the 1956 World Figure Skating Championships.  She was the 1958 World Professional Figure Skating Champion. Check out this beautiful photo from the Harlick website of Ms. Machado.  Click 1.

Richard Ewell. Born November 18, 1949. Strong, Powerful, Exciting. 1967 Novice  Southwest Pacific Regional Champion, Pacific Coast Sectional Novice 4th place finish. 1969 Southwest Pacific Regional Junior Silver Medalist, Pacific Coast Sectional Junior Bronze Medalist, U.S. Nationals Junior 9th place finisher. 1970 Southwest Pacific Regional Junior Bronze Medalist, Pacific Coast Sectional Junior Silver Medalist. U.S. National Champion, St Gervais Junior 4th place finisher. Richard Ewell & Michelle McCladdie - 1969 Novice Pairs  Southwest Pacific Regionals  and Pacific Coast Sectionals Champions. 1970 Junior Silver Medalist Southwest Regionals and 4th place finishers at the Pacific Coast Sectionals.  1971 Junior Silver Medalist at Southwest  Pacific Regionals and Pacific Coast Sectionals, Junior U. S. Nationals Champions.  1972 Southwest Pacific Regional Junior Champions, Junior Silver Medalist at the Pacific Coast Sectionals, U.S. Junior National Champions. Click here for a wonderful article and photos from About.com.

Debi Thomas. Graceful, Beautiful,Witty and Sweet. Born March 25, 1967. In 1986 she became the first African - American to win the U.S. National Figure Skating championship. She repeated this feat in 1988.   She is the 1988 Olympic bronze medalist. She has won 3 World Professional Figure Skating Championships. Here is a great article and Photo. Click here to see Debi on the cover of Time magazine. Visit Debi Thomas official site by clicking here or visit her  fan site by  clicking here. Fantastic photos can be seen by clicking 1 copyright belongs to Paul Harvath and 2 copyright belongs to Harlick.- visit their site by clicking here. Here are more photos click  1 2 3.

January 19, 2002