Born: 1953 (Evergreen Park, Illinois)
Janet Lynn Nowicki, born on April 6, 1953, is an American figure skater who has made a significant impact on the sport. She is best known for her achievements as a skater in the 1970s, including winning the bronze medal at the 1972 Olympic Games and being a two-time world championships medalist. Throughout her career, she also won the U.S. national championship a remarkable seven times.
Lynn’s journey in figure skating began at a very young age. She started skating when she was just a toddler and gave her first exhibition performance at the age of four at Chicago Stadium. Even at that young age, it was clear that she had immense talent and potential.
By the time she was seven years old, Lynn was already living away from home part of the year. She stayed with skater Kathleen Kranich, who was slightly older than her, to be closer to her coach, Slavka Kohout. Kohout worked out of Rockton, Illinois, which was where Lynn spent a significant amount of time training. Despite being away from her family, Lynn always maintained a close-knit relationship with them.
Lynn’s family eventually moved from their original home in Evergreen Park, a suburb of Chicago, to Rockford, Illinois, which was about fifteen miles from Rockton and the ice rink. She attended Lincoln Junior High in Rockford, where she continued her dedication to skating and honed her skills on the ice.
In 1964, at the age of 11, Lynn made history by becoming the youngest skater to pass the rigorous eighth and final test administered by the United States Figure Skating Association. Two years later, she won the U.S. Junior Ladies Championship in Berkeley, California. It was at this competition that Lynn landed a triple salchow jump, which was a remarkable feat for female skaters at the time. She continued to push the boundaries of what female skaters were capable of and later became one of the first to include a triple toe loop in her programs.
Lynn’s success at the junior level propelled her into the senior ranks. She won the bronze medal at the 1968 U.S. Championships, which earned her a spot to compete in the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France. At just 14 years old, it was Lynn’s first major international competition, and she finished in a respectable 9th place. She also placed 9th at her first World Championships in the same year, showcasing her potential on the global stage.
In 1969, Lynn reached a new milestone in her career by winning her first senior national title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. That year, she also defeated Canada’s Karen Magnussen to clinch the North American Championship. Despite the absence of Magnussen and Czechoslovakia’s Hana Mašková, who were both sidelined due to injuries, Lynn finished 5th at the World Championships. Her performance was overshadowed by the rise of Julie Lynn Holmes, whom she had beaten for the national title, and Gabriele Seyfert of East Germany, who went on to win the gold medal.
At the 1970 World Championships, Lynn faced stiff competition once again, with Seyfert and Austria’s Trixi Schuba taking the top two spots. Holmes moved up to 3rd place, while Lynn finished in 6th. A major factor contributing to her lower placement was her inconsistency in compulsory figures, which meant she always had to make up ground during the free skating portion of the competition. Recognizing this weakness, Lynn worked with renowned coach Pierre Brunet, who was based in New York, to improve her compulsory figures and overall skating technique.
Lynn’s dedication and hard work paid off in 1972 when she won the bronze medal at the Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan. This was a landmark achievement in her career and solidified her place among the world’s top figure skaters. She followed up her Olympic success with two consecutive world championships medals, winning silver in 1972 and bronze in 1973.
Beyond her competitive accomplishments, Lynn was also known for her artistic approach to skating. She brought a unique style and elegance to the ice, captivating audiences with her performances. Her influence on the sport went beyond her technical abilities, inspiring future generations of skaters to express themselves through their movements and interpretations on the ice.
Janet Lynn’s legacy in women’s figure skating is unquestionable. Her dedication, perseverance, and impact on the sport have solidified her place in history. She continues to inspire skaters and fans alike with her achievements and grace on the ice.
Awards:
– 1972 Olympic Games – Bronze Medal
– 1972 World Championships – Silver Medal
– 1973 World Championships – Bronze Medal
– Seven-time U.S. National Champion