US Ice Dancer Jim Sladky has passed away.

[floskate]

This news broke on CFP Vintage Ice Dance overnight. No official source as yet but many are coming forward to pay their respects.

Jim and his partner Judy Schwomeyer were the pre-eminent US ice dancers of the late 1960's and early 70's. They were a very close second to Pakhomova & Gorshkov at the 1970 Worlds (an event they really should have won) and went on to win bronze at both the 1971 and 1972 Worlds. They also invented the Yankee Polka which they debuted at the exhibitions of the 1975 Worlds in Colorado Springs.

RIP Jim Sladky. A wonderful skater gone too soon.

1970 Worlds FD
https://youtu.be/TQtsCOm9Byk

1971 Worlds FD
https://youtu.be/6G7QtKcAKBE

 

[AYS]

I was very sorry to hear this; I saw a tweet earlier today from Tai Babilonia. I got into skating in 1969, so they were among the first ice dancers I was a fan of. Thanks for posting the vids floskate.

 

[SamuraiK]

Just yesterday I watched the FDS from 1970 Worlds and indeed they should have won! RIP.

 

[chattila]

This makes me very sad. One of my first ice-dance heroes. RIP, Jim Sladky.

 

[skatesindreams]

He made so many contributions to the history of Ice Dance.
How I wish that he had won that World Championship!

Thank you, Jim.
RIP

 

[overedge]

He also became a coach later on and I believe may have officiated as well. He gave a lot to the sport beyond being a skater himself.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I loved them.

Rest in peace, Jim Sladky.

 

[pp55]

Jim, I remember you from competition.

Thank you, Jim.
RIP

 

[whiteskates]

RIP

 

[paskatefan]

May he rest in peace.

 

[briancoogaert]

Ice Dance is so beautiful. And his back posture is amazing !
RIP Mister Sladky