iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Want to support Skate Guard Blog? Buy Canadian! My figure skating history books are available through Indigo, Chapters, Coles & McNally Robinson Booksellers. 📚 Every purchase supports my research, writing & the Canadian book industry. Thank you for supporting skating history & buying Canadian! ❤️⛸️

021 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Many famous film and television stars have tried their hand at skating over the years! Here’s Emmy Award-winning "I Love Lucy" star Lucille Ball on the ice with Olympic Gold Medallist speed skater Irving Jaffee at the rink at Grossinger's Hotel in the Catskills in New York in 1959. ⛸️

080 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

The blog is taking a bit of a break, as late summer and early fall are an especially busy time professionally. But I couldn't wait to share a little "sneak peek" at some of the treasures recently donated to the Skate Guard Archive.

120 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Canada's figure skating history is filled with legendary names, and few shine brighter than Barbara Ann Scott. This Canada Day, we remember a champion whose achievements and contributions to Canadian figure skating continue to be celebrated decades later. ⛸️

060 0

Reposted by Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️

Outsports @outsports.com · 08/06/2026

Gay figure skating champion living his best life on and off the ice after coming out - www.outsports.com/2026/6/8/241...

082 0

Reposted by Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️

Lorrie Kim @lorriekim.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Oooh! My 1998 website Rainbow Ice rates a mention! Happy Pride, everyone!

1102 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

🌈⛸️ This Pride Season, explore the LGBTQ+ athletes, performers, coaches, and trailblazers who have shaped figure skating history. Read all about figure skating's LGBTQ+ history on the Skating With Pride history hub on Skate Guard Blog: www.skateguardblog.com/p/lgbtq-hist... 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

093 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

The latest Skate Guard Blog is live! Take a trip down memory lane and skate back in time to the 1970s with a look back at the 1974 World Figure Skating Championships in Munich: www.skateguardblog.com/2026/05/1974... ⛸️

010 0

Reposted by Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️

Canadian History Ehx @cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

As Canada emerged from the Second World War, a figure skater captured the hearts of Canadians. She was called Canada's Sweetheart and she took the skating world by storm. To this day, she is beloved by many. This is the story of Barbara Ann Scott. 📸 LAC 🧵 1/12

A black-and-white photo of Barbara Ann Scott figure skating on an indoor rink. She wears a long-sleeved skating outfit with a pleated skirt, white skates, and a necklace. Her arms are extended outward as she looks down toward the ice, with skate tracings visible beneath her.

19418 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

The latest Skate Guard Blog explores the story of 1962 U.S. Figure Skating Champion Monty Hoyt: www.skateguardblog.com/2026/05/mont... ⛸️

010 0

Reposted by Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️

Harvard Book Store @harvardbookstore.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

May is Asian American, Pacific Islander Heritage Month and this year we're celebrating the amazing athletes and sports heroes! 🏀🎾⚾️🏓🥅⛸️ Shop the list in-store or online on our website. Check out a few of our favorites with local or community ties:

A black and white graphic with a color photo of a display of books. Caption says "celebrating Asian American, Pacific Islander Heritage Month" and "Highlighting AAPI athletes, Olympic heroes, and sports icons.)

A black and white graphic with a color photo of a book, titled Underspin: A Novel by E. Y. Zhao

A black and white graphic with a color photo of a book, titled Obie Is Man Enough by Schuyler Bailar

A black and white graphic with a color photo of a book, titled Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang

121 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

Representation matters - not just on the podium, but in the stories we tell about figure skating history. This Asian Heritage Month, explore a timeline celebrating Canadian skaters of Asian heritage and their impact over time. Explore here: www.skateguardblog.com/p/asian-heri... ⛸️

084 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Before there were online rants and bonkers comment sections… there were flying vegetables. Yes, really. The history behind figure skating’s so-called "Ban on Booing" is surprisingly relevant today - and you can read about it in this week's Skate Guard Blog: www.skateguardblog.com/2026/04/the-...

021 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Get those votes in for Piper & Paul’s ⭐️⭐️ Night! ⛸️

011 0

Reposted by Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️

Prague Daily News @praguedailynews.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Prague has once again proven itself to be a magnet for international sporting events. The Figure Skating World Championships attracted more spectators than any previous edition: a total of 127,837 visitors followed the competitions at the O2 Arena.

praguedaily.news

Prague Impresses as Host: Figure Skating World Championships Set Attendance Record

Prague has once again proven itself to be a magnet for international sporting events. The Figure Skating World Championships attracted more spectators than any previous.

052 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Final medals awarded in Prague ⛸️ France’s Fournier Beaudry/Cizeron win ice dance, ahead of Gilles/Poirier & Zingas/Kolesnik. In their 13th Worlds, Piper & Paul left the audience spellbound with their “Wuthering Hearts” FD. Teammates Lajoie/Lagha & Lauriault/Le Gac finished the event in 9th & 14th.

041 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

An unforgettable day of figure skating in Prague! ⛸️ Ilia Malinin soared to World gold (329.40), ahead of Yuma Kagiyama & Shun Sato. Stephen Gogolev earned a standing ovation for his clean skate & became the first Canadian man to place in the top 4 at Worlds since Patrick Chan in 2013. ⛸️

042 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Before landing the first triple Lutz, Donald Jackson documented the jump's history by hand. His handwritten notes offer a rare look at a pioneer's process and his landmark moment at the 1962 Worlds in Prague. ⛸️ 📸 Courtesy Donald Jackson

020 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

In Prague in 1962, Eva Romanová and Pavel Roman became the first Czech ice dance team to win a World title - at home, before a crowd that knew it was witnessing something special. Read their story on the World Figure Skating Championships History Hub: www.skateguardblog.com/p/world-figu... ⛸️

020 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

An edge-of-your-seat women’s event at Worlds in Prague! ⛸️ With the skate of her life, Kaori Sakamoto of Japan won gold ahead of her teammate Mone Chiba and Belgium's Nina Pinzarrone. Kaori Sakamoto is the first woman since Michelle Kwan to win four World titles in women's figure skating. ⭐

072 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

It felt less like a competition - more like front-row seats to the greatest ice show in the world. The ’90s rhythm dance at Worlds brought nonstop energy and nostalgia, with Fournier Beaudry/Cizeron leading and Gilles/Poirier close behind. Which dance had you living your best '90s fantasy? ⛸️

021 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

History made in the pairs event at the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships in Prague! Hase/Volodin became the first German pair to win a World title since Savchenko/Massot in 2018. Metelkina/Berulava captured silver, making history as Georgia's first-ever pairs team to medal at Worlds.

182 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Who wasn't on the edge of their seat during the men's short program at the 2026 World Championships? What was your favourite performance today? ⛸️ #FigureSkating #ISUWorldsChamps2026 #ISUWorlds2026 #krasobrusleni #prague2026 #WFSC26

020 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

During the 2026 Worlds, we're jumping boards-first into the history of "menning" - the fan-coined term for the chaos of men's figure skating. ⛸️ From missed quads to unpredictable results, explore how inconsistency has shaped modern men's figure skating: www.skateguardblog.com/2026/03/the-...

021 0

Reposted by Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️

AnythingGOEs - Figure Skating @anythinggoe.com · 25/03/2026

🇨🇦 Lia Pereira / Trennt Michaud #WorldFigure I don’t know if redemption is the word, it’s confirmation. That we’re doing things right. I think the second half of the season has been a confirmation that we’ve been doing the right things.

1246 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

What an exciting pairs short program at the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships! What were your favourite performances? ⛸️ #FigureSkating #ISUWorldsChamps2026 #ISUWorlds2026 #krasobrusleni #prague2026 #WFSC26

000 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

PJ Kwong & Debbi Wilkes' new interview with World Champion Maria Jelinek: skateontario.org/intheloop/le... Maria won the World pairs title in Prague in 1962 with brother Otto Jelinek. ⛸️ #figureskating

skateontario.org

Let's Talk About It: Maria Jelinek & Debbi Wilkes - Skate Ontario

030 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

The first event of the ISU Worlds 2026 is complete! What was your favourite performance? ⛸️ #FigureSkating

000 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Follow the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships in Prague with daily historical features, archival videos, and curated links. Explore the sport’s past while staying connected to the latest coverage - all in one updated hub: www.skateguardblog.com/p/world-figu... ⛸️ #figureskating

010 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Who will you be rooting for at the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships? ⛸️

121 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

On this day in 1984, Barbara Underhill and Paul Martini won the pairs title at the World Figure Skating Championships in Ottawa, Ontario. They were the first Canadian team in over 20 years to win the title. 📸 Brian Willer

0100 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Check out @rockerskating.com's live preview of the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships in Prague this afternoon at 3 PM ET. ⛸️

010 0

Reposted by Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️

Canadian History Ehx @cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Happy birthday to Elvis Stojko, born on this day in 1972 in Newmarket, ON! In his career, he won seven Canadian Championships, three World Championships and two Olympic silvers. Learn more in my interview with him 👇 buff.ly/uPDGg0L

Elvis Stojko stands on the ice with both arms raised high above his head. He is wearing a black long-sleeved skating costume with red trim along the edges and vertical gold lettering on the front. His dark, wavy hair is swept back, and he is smiling while looking slightly upward. The white ice surface fills the background.

07011 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Follow the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships in Prague with Skate Guard Blog's History Hub! ⛸️ Discover past champions, iconic programs, and skating milestones - new content added daily throughout the event. Explore here: www.skateguardblog.com/p/world-figu... ⛸️ #figureskating

Black and white retro maze style background with the text "World Figure Skating Championships" and "New Content Daily - 2026 Worlds". The website address www.skateguardblog.com is also noted. On the top right of the photo there is an arrow pointing up to a link.

082 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

On this day in 1987, Katarina Witt won the World Figure Skating Championships in Cincinnati, Ohio. ⛸️ She is pictured here with 1987 World Men's Champion Brian Orser. #figureskating

0157 0

Reposted by Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️

Juniper ⭐ Archer @juniperarcher.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

While it's still a work in progress, here's my 90s Rhythm Dance playlist! The first ~50 songs are in Olympic podium order, and I'll be adding anyone else from the Grand Prix's after that, also in order :) Enjoy, or don't! #figureskating #icedance open.spotify.com/playlist/6L8...

open.spotify.com

90s Rhythm Dance (complete)

041 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Excited to share the World Figure Skating Championships History Hub is now live: www.skateguardblog.com/p/world-figu... Bookmark this page! During Worlds, it will be updated daily with new content. There will also be a special guest contributor reporting from Prague. Stay tuned! ⛸️ #figureskating

032 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

This week's Skate Guard Blog explores the story of 1/2 of the 1st team to win gold in ice dancing at the World Figure Skating Championships. With partner Jean Westwood, Lawrence Demmy won the World & European titles. He went on to serve as an ISU official: www.skateguardblog.com/2026/03/lawr... ⛸️

032 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

On this day in 1990, Kurt Browning won the World Figure Skating Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia. 🥇 Kurt Browning (CAN) 🥈 Viktor Petrenko (SOV) 🥉 Christopher Bowman (USA) 📸 Sarina Stützer

0132 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

On this day in 1995, Radka Kovaříková & René Novotný made history as the first Czech team to win the pairs event at the World Figure Skating Championships, in Birmingham, England. 🥇 Radka Kovaříková and René Novotný (CZE) 🥈 Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov (RUS) 🥉 Jenni Meno and Todd Sand (USA)

030 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

More history made today at the World Junior Figure Skating Championships. Mao Shimada made history as the first skater in any discipline to win 4 consecutive World junior titles. Hana Bath made history as the first Australian to win a medal in the women's event. Both women landed triple Axels! ⛸️

0126 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Canadian skating fans certainly know the name Rod Black. I had the opportunity to read an advance copy of the long-time skating commentator's upcoming memoir "Cut to Black: A Legendary Life in Sports (and Maybe a Few Beers)". Read my review on the blog: www.skateguardblog.com/2026/03/rod-... ⛸️📚

020 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

History made at the World Junior Figure Skating Championships today! For the first time ever, Canadian pairs finished 1-2 in the pairs event at the Championships. Ava Kemp & Yohnatan Elizarov were the first Canadian pair to win the World Junior title since Barbara Underhill and Paul Martini in 1978.

0123 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

What if the Olympic team event had existed decades before it actually debuted - would figure skating history look different? I crunched the numbers from past Games, and some of the results might surprise you: www.skateguardblog.com/2026/02/olym... ⛸️ #figureskating

070 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

A newly unearthed image of Jackson Haines - shared by collector Jimmy Leiderman - gives us a wonderful glimpse of the man who changed skating forever. If you're curious about The Father of Figure Skating's story, read my book "Jackson Haines: The Skating King": books2read.com/JacksonHaine... ⛸️

Photograph of American figure skater Jackson Haines, considered by many to be The Father of Figure Skating

030 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

Today marks the final #figureskating event of the 2026 Winter Olympics. You can stream the Exhibition Gala on @cbcgem.bsky.social at 2:50 PM AST. ⛸️ Get ready for the gala by revisiting 10 of the most unforgettable figure skating performances from the Games: www.skateguardblog.com/2026/02/unfo...

041 0

Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️ @skateguardblog.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

WOW - what a great day of #figureskating at #MilanoCortina! 1. Alysa Liu (USA) ⛸️ 2. Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) ⛸️ 3. Ami Nakai (JPN) ⛸️ Alysa Liu is the first American to win an OGM in the women's event since Sarah Hughes in 2002 & her hair flip at the end was everything. It deserves its own medal.

0101 0

Reposted by Skate Guard Blog | Figure Skating History ⛸️

Ellie @ellie.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous performance from Alysa Liu. #MilanoCortina2026 ⛸️

05010 0