Athlete Modern
Tewkesbury, Sandra
SPORT | Figure Skating
YEAR OF INDUCTION | 1986
(1942 – 1962 )
Sandra at nine years of age Sandra joined the Chatham Figure Skating Club and was recognized as a talent. At 11, she was the youngest skater to win the Canadian Figure Skating Silver Dance Medal. In 1959 she was very busy, placing third in the Canadian Figure Skating Championships and 5th in the North American Championships and then being first in the trial for the Olympic Games. She placed 10th overall in the women’s figure skate at the Squaw Valley Olympics. Shortly after she was married, Sandra Tewkesbury Ritchie died in an automobile accident when she was 20 years old.
Career Highlights
1953
One of youngest skaters ever to win the Canadian Figure Skating Association Silver Dance Medal – won United States Figure Skating Association Silver Dance Medal
1956
became world’s only skater to win gold medals in compulsory figures from three different Figure Skating Associations, Canada, United States, and England
1957
Won the senior ladies’ title at the Niagara Invitational Championships at Buffalo, New York – won the senior ladies’ title at the Western Ontario Sectional Championships qualifying her for the Canadian Championships for the first time
1959
Placed third at the Canadian Figure Skating Championships – placed fifth at the North American Figure Skating Championships – placed tenth at the World Figure Skating Championships
1960
Placed first at the Canadian Olympic Trials – placed tenth at the Olympic Figure Skating Championships
1963
Died at age 20 in Guelph, Ontario as a result of a car accident.