Linda Fratianne
Encyclopedia
Linda Sue Fratianne is a former American
Olympic figure skater
who won four consecutive U.S. Championships (1977–1980).
Throughout her figure skating career, she was coached by Frank Carroll
.
Fratianne was particularly known for her ability to complete difficult triple jumps
with ease and beauty. She became the first female skater to land two different types of triple jumps (toe loop
and salchow
) in her free skating programs in 1976 at the U.S. National Championships
. Her strong free skating technique complemented her elegant style, which made her the best overall American skater of the period.
At the World Figure Skating Championship in Tokyo
, Japan
in 1977, she won her first world title by upsetting the favorite going into the Championship: East Germany's Anett Pötzsch
. This victory was attributed to the combination of solid jumping skills, strong basic skating skills, and exceptional artistry. In fact, Fratianne fell on her triple salchow jump in her free skating routine, but these positive qualities were significant enough to prompt the judges to place her above Pötzsch.
In 1979, Linda Fratianne was able to regain her world title, which she had lost to Pötzsch in 1978 in Ottawa
, Canada
.
Her chief rivals were Anett Pötzsch
(East Germany), Emi Watanabe
(Japan
), and Dagmar Lurz
(West Germany
). Like Watanabe, her compulsory figures
were significantly weaker than her free skating
; consequently, she frequently placed well below Pötzsch and Lurz in the compulsories, forcing her to attempt to overcome her deficiencies through strong short and free programs. In fact, Fratianne never placed lower than Pötzsch or Lurz between 1977 and 1980 in short or free programs at any of the competitions, yet she was only able to win the major competitions twice. This is largely because the rules then placed much weight on compulsory figures.
In addition to her skating skills, Fratianne was also known for her costumes throughout her career. Many believe that Fratianne has been responsible for setting the current fashion trend for female skaters, dripping with bead
s, sequin
s, and chiffon
.
At the 1980 Winter Olympics
, Linda Fratianne placed third in the compulsory figures
, first in the short program, and second in the free skate to place second overall, while Pötzsch took the gold with 1st in figures, 5th in the short program, and 3rd in the free skate.
The outcome of the Olympic competition remains controversial even decades later. There have been persistent allegations that Fratianne was "robbed" of the gold medal by a conspiracy among Eastern-bloc judges, but in fact only two of the nine judges on the panel were from Eastern-bloc countries and only the judges from Japan and the USA placed Fratianne first. All others placed Pötzsch first, mainly due to her substantial lead in the compulsory figures.
The officials were:
At the following world championships Linda Fratianne came in 3rd behind Anett Pötzsch and Dagmar Lurz
from West Germany.
After the 1980 season, Linda Fratianne turned professional and enjoyed a long career performing as the lead skater of Disney on Ice
(for 10 years) and other touring ice shows. In 1993 Linda Fratianne was inducted into the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame.
From 1988 to 2001 she was married to ski racer Nick Maricich. They have a daughter, Ali (b. 1991).
Linda Fratianne currently lives and coaches in Sun Valley, Idaho
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Olympic figure skater
Figure skating
Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...
who won four consecutive U.S. Championships (1977–1980).
Early career
Linda Fratianne's father was the former Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Fratianne, who died in 2002. Her mother was Virginia Fratianne. Her parents were divorced.Throughout her figure skating career, she was coached by Frank Carroll
Frank Carroll
Francis M. "Frank" Carroll is an American figure skating coach and former competitive skater. He has coached three skaters to win the World Figure Skating Championships: Linda Fratianne, Michelle Kwan, and Evan Lysacek...
.
Fratianne was particularly known for her ability to complete difficult triple jumps
Figure skating jump
Figure skating jumps are a major element of competitive figure skating. Different jumps are identified by the take-off edge and the number of revolutions completed. There are six kinds of jumps currently counted as jump elements in ISU regulations.-Technique:...
with ease and beauty. She became the first female skater to land two different types of triple jumps (toe loop
Toe loop jump
The toe loop is one of the simplest jumps in figure skating. It is usually the second jump learned after the salchow. It is a toe pick-assisted jump that takes off and lands on the same backward outside edge. - Toe loop technique :...
and salchow
Salchow jump
The Salchow is a figure skating jump with a takeoff from a back inside edge of one foot. The rotation in the air is made in the direction of the curve of the take-off edge. The landing is made on the back outside edge of the foot opposite the one used for take-off. One or more rotations may be...
) in her free skating programs in 1976 at the U.S. National Championships
United States Figure Skating Championships
The United States Figure Skating Championships is figure skating competition held annually to crown the national champions of the United States. The competition is sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating. In the U.S. skating community, the event is often referred to informally as "Nationals".Skaters...
. Her strong free skating technique complemented her elegant style, which made her the best overall American skater of the period.
At the World Figure Skating Championship in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in 1977, she won her first world title by upsetting the favorite going into the Championship: East Germany's Anett Pötzsch
Anett Pötzsch
Anett Pötzsch is a retired German figure skater. She is the 1980 Olympic Champion in Ladies Singles, two-time world champion , four-time European champion and five-time East German champion ....
. This victory was attributed to the combination of solid jumping skills, strong basic skating skills, and exceptional artistry. In fact, Fratianne fell on her triple salchow jump in her free skating routine, but these positive qualities were significant enough to prompt the judges to place her above Pötzsch.
In 1979, Linda Fratianne was able to regain her world title, which she had lost to Pötzsch in 1978 in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Her chief rivals were Anett Pötzsch
Anett Pötzsch
Anett Pötzsch is a retired German figure skater. She is the 1980 Olympic Champion in Ladies Singles, two-time world champion , four-time European champion and five-time East German champion ....
(East Germany), Emi Watanabe
Emi Watanabe
is a Japanese figure skater of Filipino ancestry. Her father is Japanese, and mother is Filipino. She won eight consecutive Japanese championships and earned the first World Championship medal in ladies' singles for Japan in 1979...
(Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
), and Dagmar Lurz
Dagmar Lurz
Dagmar Lurz is a former German figure skater. She is the 1980 Olympic bronze medalist.-Biography:...
(West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
). Like Watanabe, her compulsory figures
Compulsory figures
Compulsory figures or school figures were formerly an aspect of the sport of figure skating, from which the sport derives its name. Carving specific patterns or figures into the ice was the original focus of the sport. The patterns of compulsory figures all derive from the basic figure eight...
were significantly weaker than her free skating
Free skating
The free skating competition of figure skating, sometimes called the "free skate" or "long program", is usually the second of two phases in major figure skating competitions in single skating and pair skating. It is the longer of the two programs, the other one being the Short Program...
; consequently, she frequently placed well below Pötzsch and Lurz in the compulsories, forcing her to attempt to overcome her deficiencies through strong short and free programs. In fact, Fratianne never placed lower than Pötzsch or Lurz between 1977 and 1980 in short or free programs at any of the competitions, yet she was only able to win the major competitions twice. This is largely because the rules then placed much weight on compulsory figures.
In addition to her skating skills, Fratianne was also known for her costumes throughout her career. Many believe that Fratianne has been responsible for setting the current fashion trend for female skaters, dripping with bead
Bead
A bead is a small, decorative object that is usually pierced for threading or stringing. Beads range in size from under to over in diameter. A pair of beads made from Nassarius sea snail shells, approximately 100,000 years old, are thought to be the earliest known examples of jewellery. Beadwork...
s, sequin
Sequin
Sequins are disk-shaped beads used for decorative purposes. They are available in a wide variety of colors and geometrical shapes. Sequins are commonly used on clothing, jewelry, bags, shoes and lots of other accessories. Large sequins, fastened only at the top, have been used on billboards and...
s, and chiffon
Chiffon (fabric)
Chiffon, , from the French word for a cloth or rag, is a lightweight, balanced plain-woven sheer fabric woven of alternate S- and Z-twist crepe yarns. The twist in the crepe yarns puckers the fabric slightly in both directions after weaving, giving it some stretch and a slightly rough...
.
Olympics
1980 Winter Olympics
The 1980 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIII Olympic Winter Games, was a multi-sport event which was celebrated from 13 February through 24 February 1980 in Lake Placid, New York, United States of America. This was the second time the Upstate New York village hosted the Games, after 1932...
, Linda Fratianne placed third in the compulsory figures
Compulsory figures
Compulsory figures or school figures were formerly an aspect of the sport of figure skating, from which the sport derives its name. Carving specific patterns or figures into the ice was the original focus of the sport. The patterns of compulsory figures all derive from the basic figure eight...
, first in the short program, and second in the free skate to place second overall, while Pötzsch took the gold with 1st in figures, 5th in the short program, and 3rd in the free skate.
The outcome of the Olympic competition remains controversial even decades later. There have been persistent allegations that Fratianne was "robbed" of the gold medal by a conspiracy among Eastern-bloc judges, but in fact only two of the nine judges on the panel were from Eastern-bloc countries and only the judges from Japan and the USA placed Fratianne first. All others placed Pötzsch first, mainly due to her substantial lead in the compulsory figures.
The officials were:
- Wolfgang Kunz (FRG=West Germany)
- Ludwig Gassner (Austria)
- Kinuko Ueno (Japan)
- Charles U. Foster (USA)
- Radovan Lipovscak (Yugoslavia)
- Leena Vainio (Finland)
- Giorgio Siniscialcio (Italy)
- Ingird Linke (GDR=East Germany)
- Markus Germann (Switzerland)
- substitute judge was Sergei Kononykhin (Soviet Union)
- referee: Benjamin T. Wright (USA)
- assistant referee: Donald H. Gilchrist
| Judging | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anett Pötzsch | Linda Fratianne | |||||
| Compulsory Figures | 46.04 points | 9 places | 1st rank | 42.76 points | 27 places | 3rd rank |
| Short Program | 39.76 points | 37places | 4th rank | 41.44 points | 11 places | 1st rank |
| Free Program | 103.20 points | 24 places | 3rd rank | 104.10 points | 17places | 2nd rank |
| Total | 189.00 points | 11 places | 1st rank | 188.30 points | 16 places | 2nd rank |
At the following world championships Linda Fratianne came in 3rd behind Anett Pötzsch and Dagmar Lurz
Dagmar Lurz
Dagmar Lurz is a former German figure skater. She is the 1980 Olympic bronze medalist.-Biography:...
from West Germany.
Aftermath
In 1981 the scoring system in figure skating was modified to combine the results of the compulsory figures, short program, and free skating by adding placements instead of carrying over raw scores. This made it less likely that skaters could build up a huge lead in the compulsory figures. This decision was made long before the 1980 Winter Olympics.After the 1980 season, Linda Fratianne turned professional and enjoyed a long career performing as the lead skater of Disney on Ice
Disney on Ice
Disney On Ice is a touring ice show produced by Feld Entertainment under agreement with The Walt Disney Company. Aimed primarily at children, the shows feature figure skaters dressed as Disney cartoon characters in performances that each derive their music and plot from elements collected from...
(for 10 years) and other touring ice shows. In 1993 Linda Fratianne was inducted into the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame.
From 1988 to 2001 she was married to ski racer Nick Maricich. They have a daughter, Ali (b. 1991).
Linda Fratianne currently lives and coaches in Sun Valley, Idaho
Sun Valley, Idaho
Sun Valley is a resort city in Blaine County in the central part of the U.S. state of Idaho, adjacent to the city of Ketchum, lying within the greater Wood River valley. Tourists from around the world enjoy its skiing, hiking, ice skating, trail riding, tennis, and cycling. The population was 1,427...
.
Results
| Event | 1973-74 | 1974-75 | 1975-76 | 1976-77 | 1977-78 | 1978-79 | 1979-80 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympics Winter Olympic Games The Winter Olympic Games is a sporting event, which occurs every four years. The first celebration of the Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The original sports were alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and speed skating... |
8th | 2nd | |||||
| World Championships World Figure Skating Championships The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion... |
5th | 1st | 2nd | 1st | 3rd | ||
| U.S. Championships United States Figure Skating Championships The United States Figure Skating Championships is figure skating competition held annually to crown the national champions of the United States. The competition is sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating. In the U.S. skating community, the event is often referred to informally as "Nationals".Skaters... |
7th | 2nd | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | |
| Skate Canada International Skate Canada International The Skate Canada International is an international, senior-level invitation-only figure skating competition organized by Skate Canada. It is the second competition of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. The location changes yearly. Medals are awarded in four disciplines: Ladies' singles, Men's... |
1st | ||||||
| NHK Trophy NHK Trophy The NHK Trophy is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.... |
2nd | ||||||
| Richmond Trophy Richmond Trophy The Richmond Trophy was an international figure skating competition for ladies held annually from 1949 to 1980 at the Richmond ice rink near London. It was the only invitational international competition held on a regular basis in the post-war years... |
3rd |