BARBARA ANN SCOTT

1998 INDUCTEE

Barbara Ann Scott was born in Ottawa in 1928. Her parents, Mary Purves and Colonel Clyde Rutherford Scott, helped instil the qualities that would see her become one of Canada's most dedicated and talented figure skater. Scott became the youngest Canadian to pass the gold figures test - the highest level - at just age ten when she was skating for Ottawa's Minto Club.

In her short career, Scott dazzled the world and won the Junior Women’s National title (1940), the National Senior Women’s title (from 1944-1948) and two European Championship titles. And let's not forget that these feats were achieved in unpredictable conditions – Barbara Ann Scott was a champion of the outdoor rink!

The definitive moment in Barbara Ann Scott's life came in 1942, when the young figure skater became the first woman ever to land a double Lutz jump in competition. That unprecedented triumph propelled her to a gold-medal-winning performance at the 1948 Winter Olympics. With that victory, Scott put figure skating on the Canadian map and was dubbed "Canada's Sweetheart" in the process. Scott won two world championships and four North American titles all told before embarking on a successful five-year professional career.

When she hung up her skates in 1955 to marry, she did not abandon her passion. Still active as a judge at professional competitions, Scott says, "Being a Canadian citizen, anytime I am involved in an event like this I am deeply honoured. It is especially flattering to be included with so many other great individuals."