When Michelle Kwan won her ninth U.S. ladies figure skating title in 2005, she tied this legendary skater.
- Tenley Albright
- Peggy Fleming
- Gretchen Merrill
- Maribel Vinson
Maribel Vinson. In addition to her nine U.S. ladies championships, Vinson won six U.S. pairs championships, four with George Hill and two with Thornton Coolidge. As a ladies skater, she won the 1932 Olympic bronze medal, 1928 world silver medal, and 1930 world bronze medal. On February 15, 1961, at age 49, she and her two figure skating daughters and the entire U.S. figure skating team were killed in a plane crash on their way to the world championships in Belgium. As a result, the 1961 world championships were cancelled.
Brought to you by the editors of HistoryNet's nine magazine titles. From ancient warfare to the 21st century, these experts enliven and enrich your favorite historical subjects with fascinating stories you haven’t heard before.