James Sladky (March 16, 1947 – November 9, 2017) was an American competitive ice dancer.[1] With his skating partner, Judy Schwomeyer, he became a four-time World medalist (silver in 1970; bronze in 1969, 1971, 1972) and five-time U.S. national champion (1968–1972).
| Jim Sladky | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Sladky | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | March 16, 1947 Bridgeport, Connecticut | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | November 9, 2017 (aged 70) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Figure skating career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | United States | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Partner | Judy Schwomeyer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coach | Ron Ludington | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Skating club | Genesee FSC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal life
editJames[2] Sladky was born on March 16, 1947. He was married to Judy Schwomeyer from 1971 to 1990.[3][4] He later married Fay Kelley from 1996 to 2017. He worked as a hotel engineer in Hartford, Connecticut.[4]
Career
editSchwomeyer/Sladky won five national titles, from 1968 to 1972.[5] They finished on the podium at four World Championships, (winning silver in 1970 and bronze in 1969, 1971, and 1972).[6]
They were coached by Ron Ludington.[7] Together with Ludington, Schwomeyer/Sladky created the Yankee Polka compulsory dance.[8] They first performed it as a competitive program in 1969. Following their retirement from competitive skating, the duo skated professionally.
They were inducted into the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1991.
Results
edit(with Judy Schwomeyer)
| International | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 |
| World Championships | 8th | 4th | 3rd | 2nd | 3rd | 3rd | |
| North American Champ. | 3rd | 2nd | 1st | ||||
| National | |||||||
| U.S. Championships | 6th | 3rd | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st |
References
edit- ^ "Remembering the Famous Ice Dancer Jim Sladky". Figure Skating Dreams. 2017-11-10. Retrieved 2017-11-16.
- ^ Hewins, Jack (January 30, 1969). "Kauffmans Trail in Pairs Skating". The Daily Telegram (Eau Claire, Wisconsin). Associated Press. p. 15.
- ^ Woods, David (February 18, 2014). "Olympic ice dancing traces roots to Indianapolis native Judy Sladky". The Indianapolis Star.
- ^ a b Elliott, Helene (January 7, 2002). "In Long Run, Little Things Remain". L.A. Times. Archived from the original on November 18, 2017. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ "Past U.S. Champions - Senior" (PDF). Archived from the original on February 9, 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "World Figure Skating Championships: Ice Dance" (PDF). International Skating Union. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Judy Schwomeyer And Sladky Hold Ice Dancing Lead". The New York Times. January 15, 1972.
- ^ "ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, Day 1". International Skating Union. February 13, 2008. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)