Norval Baptie
Encyclopedia
Norval Baptie was a World record holding speed skater
, a champion figure skater
, and pioneering ice showman. He was inducted into the Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
in 1963.
Born in Bethany, Ontario
, he grew up in Bathgate
, North Dakota
, United States
. By the age of 14 he was the North Dakota speed skating champion. In 1897, he challenged World champion Jack McCullough to a race, and easily won. Over his career, he won almost 5000 races and lost one. He shattered every amateur and professional speed skating record.
After his speed skating career, Baptie moved into stunt and figure skating. He set new records for broad jump, skating backwards, jumping over barrels, and even skating on stilts. Baptie began doing solo exhibition shows, which eventually evolved into the World's first ice shows. In the 1930s, he directed shows that featured Sonja Henie
, a champion figure skater.
Baptie was also influential in the design of skate
s. He helped design the tubular racing skate and eliminated the curled figure skating blade.
In 1938, Baptie retired from the ice. However, he became a professional coach. He continued to coach even after losing both legs from complications from diabetes.
Speed skating
Speed skating, or speedskating is a competitive form of ice skating in which the competitors race each other in traveling a certain distance on skates. Types of speed skating are long track speed skating, short track speed skating, and marathon speed skating...
, a champion 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...
, and pioneering ice showman. He was inducted into the Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is a hall of fame established in 1955 to "preserve the record of Canadian sports achievements and to promote a greater awareness of Canada's heritage of sport." It is located at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta...
in 1963.
Born in Bethany, Ontario
Bethany, Ontario
Bethany is an unincorporated village in the Canadian province of Ontario, within the single-tier municipality of Kawartha Lakes. Bethany is centred on Highway 7A, which forms part of the Trans-Canada highway...
, he grew up in Bathgate
Bathgate, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 66 people, 25 households, and 18 families residing in the city. The population density was 206.2 people per square mile . There were 28 housing units at an average density of 87.5 per square mile...
, North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. By the age of 14 he was the North Dakota speed skating champion. In 1897, he challenged World champion Jack McCullough to a race, and easily won. Over his career, he won almost 5000 races and lost one. He shattered every amateur and professional speed skating record.
After his speed skating career, Baptie moved into stunt and figure skating. He set new records for broad jump, skating backwards, jumping over barrels, and even skating on stilts. Baptie began doing solo exhibition shows, which eventually evolved into the World's first ice shows. In the 1930s, he directed shows that featured Sonja Henie
Sonja Henie
Sonja Henie was a Norwegian figure skater and film star. She was a three-time Olympic Champion in Ladies Singles, a ten-time World Champion and a six-time European Champion . Henie won more Olympic and World titles than any other ladies figure skater...
, a champion figure skater.
Baptie was also influential in the design of skate
Skate
Skates are cartilaginous fish belonging to the family Rajidae in the superorder Batoidea of rays. There are more than 200 described species in 27 genera. There are two subfamilies, Rajinae and Arhynchobatinae ....
s. He helped design the tubular racing skate and eliminated the curled figure skating blade.
In 1938, Baptie retired from the ice. However, he became a professional coach. He continued to coach even after losing both legs from complications from diabetes.