Arnold Gerschwiler
Encyclopedia
Arnold Gerschwiler OBE
(28 May 1914 in Arbon
, Switzerland
– 22 August 2003 in Cheam
, Surrey
, United Kingdom
) was a Swiss/British figure skating
coach.
He was born in Arbon
, Switzerland
and at the encouragement of his half-brother Jacques
moved to London
. He was head coach at the Richmond Ice Rink from 1938 and was made director in 1964 until its demolition in 1992. He was awarded the OBE
in 1997. He headed a team of up to 28 full-time teachers training skaters from all over the world, discovering 42 Champions, many from London. He coached the Czech
skater Alena Vrzanova (Ajaj Zanova), world champion in 1949 and 1950, as well as his nephew Hans Gerschwiler
, the 1948 Olympic silver medalist.
He also coached the British
skater Valda Osborn
, British champion in 1952 and 1953 and European champion in 1953.
Other European top skaters he coached were: Vladislav Cap, Helmut Seibt, Michael Booker, Daphne Walker, Hanna Eigel, Sjoukje Dijkstra and Joan Haanappel.
He married Violet Blundell in August 1941, and together they had two girls Stella and Claire. He had two grandsons and two granddaughters. He died on 22 August 2003 in a hospital at the age of 89.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(28 May 1914 in Arbon
Arbon
Arbon may refer to:* Arbon, Haute-Garonne, French commune* Arbon, Switzerland* Arbon , in Switzerland* Arbon Valley, Idaho...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
– 22 August 2003 in Cheam
Cheam
Cheam is a large suburban village close to Sutton in the London Borough of Sutton, England, and is located close to the southern boundary between Greater London and Surrey. It is divided into two main areas: North Cheam and Cheam Village. North Cheam includes more retail shops and supermarkets,...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
) was a Swiss/British figure skating
Figure skating
Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...
coach.
He was born in Arbon
Arbon, Switzerland
Arbon is a municipality and district capital of the district of Arbon in the canton of Thurgau in Switzerland.-Geography:Arbon is situated on a peninsula on the southwest shore of Lake Constance between Romanshorn and Rorschach. On the south, the municipality borders the canton of St. Gallen. St...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
and at the encouragement of his half-brother Jacques
Jacques Gerschwiler
Jacques Gerschwiler was a noted Swiss figure skater and coach. He was later elected to the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame. Among his students were Cecilia Colledge, Jeannette Altwegg, and Sally Stapleford. Born in Arbon, Switzerland, he was the brother of Arnold Gerschwiler and the uncle of...
moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He was head coach at the Richmond Ice Rink from 1938 and was made director in 1964 until its demolition in 1992. He was awarded the OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1997. He headed a team of up to 28 full-time teachers training skaters from all over the world, discovering 42 Champions, many from London. He coached the Czech
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
skater Alena Vrzanova (Ajaj Zanova), world champion in 1949 and 1950, as well as his nephew Hans Gerschwiler
Hans Gerschwiler
Hans Gerschwiler was a Swiss figure skater.-Biography:Born in Switzerland, Gerschwiler made his international debut at the 1939 European Figure Skating Championships, where he placed 5th. Between 1939 and 1947, no international skating competitions were held, due to World War II...
, the 1948 Olympic silver medalist.
He also coached the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
skater Valda Osborn
Valda Osborn
Valda Rosemary Osborn was a British figure skater. She was the 1953 European champion and World bronze medalist. She represented Great Britain at the 1952 Winter Olympics where she placed 11th.- Personal life:Valda Osborn was born in Wembley, England in 1934 and started skating at age 2 1/2 at...
, British champion in 1952 and 1953 and European champion in 1953.
Other European top skaters he coached were: Vladislav Cap, Helmut Seibt, Michael Booker, Daphne Walker, Hanna Eigel, Sjoukje Dijkstra and Joan Haanappel.
He married Violet Blundell in August 1941, and together they had two girls Stella and Claire. He had two grandsons and two granddaughters. He died on 22 August 2003 in a hospital at the age of 89.