Rhoda Wurtele-Eaves

Rhoda Wurtele, along with her twin sister Rhona, was one of the most heralded female skiers of her era. She first made the Canadian national team in 1942, coming in second during the trials behind Rhona, and spent the next several years alternating between first and second place in numerous North American championships. When the 1948 Winter Olympics came around she was named to Canada’s alpine skiing delegation in the slalom event, but withdrew from the race after injuring her ankle during a training run. She continued to compete (and win) regularly through 1952, but faltered at that year’s Winter Olympics; her best finish in the Games was ninth place in the giant slalom tournament.

After the Games, Rhoda reduced her participation in major tournaments and, by the 1960s, had retired from active competition and settled into ski instructing. She was inducted into the Amateur Athletic Union of Canada (1953), Canadian Olympic (1953), United States Ski (1969), Canadian Ski (1982), and Laurentian Ski (1986) Halls of Fame alongside her sister every time save for the Canadian Olympic Hall.