Sandra Stevenson

[SHARPIE]

The much respected skating journalist has passed away.

I had the good fortune to meet this lovely lady on several occasions at competitions over the years. It was a real thrill as I owned her BBC book of Skating when I was 12 back in 1984.

Rest easy Sandra.

 

[SHARPIE]

From Lynne Rutherford: (Facebook)

Sad news for the figure skating community: Sandra Stevenson, who covered every winter Olympics from 1968-2014 for British newspapers and other outlets, passed away earlier today. As many of you know, Sandra (1941-2018) had been in ill health for several years. A longtime Manhattan resident, she moved to an assisted living community in December 2016 and about four months ago entered hospice at a wonderful, caring facility, Calverton Hospital.

An independent, spirited woman, Sandra lived life on her own terms and pursued her passion -- watching and analyzing figure skating -- for many decades. While her final years were difficult due to ill health, let's all remember her at her best: rushing to the mixed zone to interview British skaters, asking quirky questions at press conferences and bringing a unique voice to her articles.

 

[skatesindreams]

Her knowledge of skating and love for the sport will be remembered - and missed.
Thank you, Sandra.

RIP

 

[Eislauffan]

I am sorry to hear these news. I will remember Sandra fondly. She has contributed a lot to the coverage of figure skating for decades.

 

[Debbie S]

I met Sandra at Liberty a few times - I think there were some British skaters competing there those years. I remember her articles in the skating pubs during skating's heyday. She was such a sweet woman. I'm so sorry to hear of her passing. RIP.

 

[Bunny Hop]

I had the good fortune to meet this lovely lady on several occasions at competitions over the years. It was a real thrill as I owned her BBC book of Skating when I was 12 back in 1984.

I still have that book.

Sad news.

 

[mysticchic]

may she fly high!! I know she and Lynn were close friends.

 

[Finnice]

I had the pleasure to meet her several times. Such a sweet and very knowledgeable lady. Rest in peace, dear Sandra.

 

[miffy]

I knew Sandra as well, lovely lady with great knowledge and a fantastic sense of humour. Very sad

 

[TAHbKA]

Rest in peace, Sandra.
I met her in several occasions and had a pleasure to chat quite a lot during the Sochi Olympics. She was an inspiration.

 

[allezfred]

Rest In Peace Sandra. Obviously, her writing was focused on British skating, but she was always very supportive of Irish skaters and skating too.

 

[sus2850]

That is sad news. She was unique, loved to talk to her about British skaters.

 

[overedge]

Aw, sorry to hear this. She knew so much and wrote excellent articles.

 

[Sylvia]

Elaine Hooper, NISA historian, wrote this tribute/obituary: http://www.iceskating.org.uk/index.cfm/news/sandra-stevenson/
Excerpts:

Sandra was both clever and independent. At 14 she found herself a “Saturday job” and used the money she earned to fund the bus fare and entrance fee to the Ice Rink in Solihull. This teenage interest put her on a path that shaped her adult life. She progressed to lessons and passed her Preliminary Ice figure test, at Birmingham, in 1958, going on to pass further tests in both figures and ice dance.
At the same rink, also in 1958, a young John Curry came 3rd in The Walker Trophy for under 10 Boys. Sandra could not have envisioned the part he was to play in her future life.

On graduating [from the University of St. Andrews], Sandra gained employment in the chorus line of professional skating shows and was soon appearing, as a member of impresario Gerald Palmers ”Carnival of Ice 1962”, as a member of the Corps de Ballet. She knew that she would never become a principal and made the decision to combine her love of skating with her love of writing but she also needed money to keep her afloat financially.

In 1968 she covered her first World Championships as a freelance writer and covered every British, European, World and Olympic Championships from then until 2014.
In 1971 Sandra became the Ice Skating correspondent for The Guardian, later transferring to the Telegraph where she remained until 2014.
Sandra covered the Grand Prix series and all the major ice skating events in the world and made the journey from New York to England every year to cover the British Championships for her newspaper.
...
We thank Sandra for making difference with a skating journalism career that spanned 50 years.

R.I.P., Sandra Stevenson. She led a fascinating, full, adventurous life!

 

[7thblade]

She lived her purpose. Hats off.