Valda Osborn

Valda Osborn started skating at the age of 21/2, and at 4, won her first skating trophy. When still only 5, she made her first appearance on the big stage when she took part in an ice gala at the Empire Pool at Wembley in 1940, to raise money for the Red Cross when she was introduced as one of the promising British skating stars of the future.

Osborn was 14 when she made her début in the British Championships and, after five years of trying, eventually captured her first title in 1952, following the retirement of Jeannette Altwegg, champion in 1948-51. Osborne successfully defended her title the following year, when she also won the European Championships, beating local German favourite Gundi Busch on home ice at Dortmund. Two weeks later, the German gained some sort of revenge when she beat Osborn into third place at the World Championships at Davros, won by Tenley Albright of the USA. Shortly after her World and European successes, Osborn tuned professional in April 1953 and took part in ice shows and also spent her time coaching promising young skaters.