- Jackson Haines
Jackson Haines (1840–1875) was an American
ballet dancer and figure skater who is regarded as the father of modern figure skating. [http://www.usfigureskating.org/About.asp?id=101 U.S. Figure Skating History] , accessed July 25, 2006.]Born in
New York City , Haines claimed to be national champion in 1864. However, many such "championships" were held during those years, and none were sanctioned by a unifying figure skating organization. (TheUnited States Figure Skating Association was not established until 1921.)At this time, figure skating was performed in the "English style", which was rigid and formal. It was virtually nothing like what is performed today. Haines' style was a complete contrast to the English style; he used his ballet background to create graceful programs, and introduced accompanying music (a new concept at the time). He also screwed his
figure skate s directly onto his boots, which added stability and allowed him to do more athletic leaps and jumps. The typical practice of the time was to strap the blades onto the boot.Haines' style was not well received in the United States. He therefore went to
Europe to display and teach his style, which became known as the "International style". He lived inVienna for a time, where his skating style became very popular.Haines died of
tuberculosis in Gamlakarleby (nowadays in Finnish:Kokkola , in Swedish:Karleby ),Finland in 1875. His style did not become popular in the United States until many years after his death. The first American figure skating championships in the "International Style" were held onMarch 20 1914 , inNew Haven ,Connecticut . [http://web.archive.org/web/20060923140212/http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/jazz/ice_2 "International Style" Figure Skating Championship March 20, 1914] , accessed July 25, 2006.]Haines was inducted into the
World Figure Skating Hall of Fame and the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1976. [http://www.worldskatingmuseum.org/Museum_HOF_Inductees.htm Hall of Fame inductees] , accessed July 25, 2006.]Haines was the inventor of the
sit spin , one of the three basic spin types. (The other two are the upright spin, about as old as the art of ice skating itself; and thecamel spin , invented during the twentieth century byCecilia Colledge .)ee also
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People known as the father or mother of something References
External links
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20060822064652/http://www.outsports.com/history/skatingpioneers.htm Haines at outsports.com]
Persondata
NAME=Haines, Jackson
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Father of modern figure skating
DATE OF BIRTH=1840
PLACE OF BIRTH=New York City ,New York
DATE OF DEATH=1875
PLACE OF DEATH=Finland
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