In depth look at Jackson Haines

[N_Halifax]

I recently sat down and did some research from several different sources and compiled an article on Jackson Haines, the father of figure skating. I was able to make a really interesting historical connection between Haines, Axel Paulsen and the origin of figure skates with toe picks that I did know about and was really fascinated by. I've posted this at http://t.co/37Ts1Lz4Hr for anyone who is interested!

[manleywoman]

Excited to read this!

[Spiralgraph]

What an interesting article. Thanks for writing it!

[Iceman]

I recently sat down and did some research from several different sources and compiled an article on Jackson Haines, the father of figure skating. I was able to make a really interesting historical connection between Haines, Axel Paulsen and the origin of figure skates with toe picks that I did know about and was really fascinated by. I've posted this at http://t.co/37Ts1Lz4Hr for anyone who is interested!

Thanks for this. I have always thought it regrettable that no one has done a well researched bio of someone who has played such a significant role in the sport of figure skating. Certainly he ranks right up there with Henie as far as that goes. How tragic that he had such a short life!!!!

[Iceman]

I recently sat down and did some research from several different sources and compiled an article on Jackson Haines, the father of figure skating. I was able to make a really interesting historical connection between Haines, Axel Paulsen and the origin of figure skates with toe picks that I did know about and was really fascinated by. I've posted this at http://t.co/37Ts1Lz4Hr for anyone who is interested!

double post

[N_Halifax]

I'm glad you are all enjoying it! It was certainly a compelling experience sifting through information from different sources to put this together. There is a surprising amount of material available about Haines and his life, but it was really a matter of a tidbit here, a tidbit there and it was a puzzle to put together for sure. What an important figure in the history of the sport he is.

[lulu]

Really interesting article, I enjoyed reading it. Hope you had some fun doing the research as well!

[Iceman]

the effeminate vs. masculine argument. Been going on since Haines and still unresolved in the 21st century. What progress LMAO!!!!!!

I wish I knew what some of his arm movements were, because Henie and the skaters of her era seemed to use theirs little and awkwardly imo and most were lacking in the extension of a ballet dancer, which is even stranger in Henie's case when you consider that she did study with a Russian ballet teacher. Belita seems to be one of the few who took to heart all his advances.
She was a contemporary of Henie and for those who don't know her, here is a vid of her skating in a film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDvAFbi-ats


Oh, to bring your own orchestra to a competition. Let's see,is the New York Philharmonic free the week of nationals? lmao

[skatesindreams]

Outstanding!

[N_Halifax]

Agreed! Walking in with your own orchestra is quite an entrance indeed. That's one of the things I enjoy about some (and I repeat some) of these shows with live singers/musical artists. It all depends on the artist though.

As for Belita, she was certainly quite the performer. The performances of skaters like Belita, Henie and others in that golden era of skating movies were just exquisite - in a different way than today - but exquisite nonetheless.

[Spun Silver]

Nice! Your point about the importance of his discussions with Axel Paulsen is intriguing. The drawings in the Swedish newspaper really help give an idea of Haines's panache. That backbend looks dangerous! Thanks for doing and sharing this.

[aftershocks]

Thanks N_Halifax ... what a wonderful contribution compiling some of the many disparate bits and pieces about Jackson Haines! I heard that one of his descendants is the former ice dancer Donald Adair (who was formerly partnered with Renee Roca before injury cut his career short). I wonder if some family descendants might have more information.

Figure skating sure has a largely untapped rich history. Thanks for pointing out the connections and important links between Haines, Paulsen, Louis Rubenstein, Lily Kronberger and many of the Austrian champions. It's intriguing that the American judges were so shocked at Haines' musical innovation, yet still rewarded him the American title in 1863 and 1864.

It definitely is fascinating re the fact that American culture (and British culture) was so rigid against dancing and musical performance in that Victorian era. Reminds me of how even actors were ostracized and looked upon in a derogatory way in those days.

Quite ironic too that American figure skating spurned the very pioneer who precipitated the overall development of modern figure skating in Europe. But in retrospect, since music and ballet were so advanced on the European continent, Haines' sojourn there was probably meant to be. It seems somewhat like Jackson Haines is the American emigrant version of Balanchine in a figure skating context.

[N_Halifax]

As for the 1863 and 1864 national titles, one can never know really. I suspect it might have been a situation like Rudy Galindo. He was a "shocking" skater by PTA/Conservative standards but in 1996, he gave the skate of the night - perhaps the decade. They HAD to give him that gold medal and those marks. Even if those early judges were wary of Haine's "risque" style, if he was miles above the competition, they probably were forced to recognize that, even if with disdain by some.

I had made the connection between Haines and U.S. Champion after reading the comment on a Youtube picture montage of Haines, but didn't really think to research that further. I still might!

[aftershocks]

^^ Yes, Donald Adair was a very gifted and elegant ice dancer. It's a shame his career was cut short by injury. I remember hearing commentators mention he's a descendant of Jackson Haines, but back at that time it went completely over my head. So, in coming across some vids about Haines recently on Youtube, it was a revelation really to discover the connection anew between Adair and Haines and to realize the significance. Here are some clips of Donnie and Renee -- in the second video, Dick Button mentions that Donnie is a descendant of Haines (and he also points out Haines' importance to figure skating).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLxyCxOU-Aw 1986 US Nationals FD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMe8gyVjjME 1985 US Nationals FD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1aL9yYRNOo 1986 US Olympic Festival CD Yankee Polka

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu7YnACFBh4 1986 US Olympic Festival CD Starlight Waltz


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hqkcdul7nOg Still photos of Jackson Haines

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvjDMI55f7A Fluff piece re history of men's fs from Haines to Cranston


Also on Youtube from k9henrydog, vids re early skating pioneers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWrZU...e=results_main