Maribel Vinson

Maribel Vinson was a nine-time U.S. women’s champion, and a four-time U.S. pairs champion (with George Hill). A three-time Olympic competitor, she placed fifth, fourth, and third individually. In 1937 Maribel Vinson turned professional and toured the country in her own ice show. She later became Maribel Vinson-Owen, marrying a Canadian skater, though they later divorced, and taught, as well as authored two books about, figure skating. Maribel Owen also became the first woman sportswriter for The New York Times when she wrote about major skating competitions.

Maribel Vinson-Owen had two very successful skating daughters. Laurie Owen won the 1961 U.S. women’s championship, and Maribel Owen partnered Dudley Richards to the 1961 pairs championships. On their way to the 1961 World Championships in Praha, Mrs. Owen and her two daughters were killed in the airplane crash in Belgium which took the lives of all the American figure skaters.