Janet Sawbridge & Peter Dalby 1972 Europeans FD & Podium

The skating world owes Janet Sawbridge a huge thank you and many people won't even know why. It was Janet who, having turned to coaching after retiring from her own competitive career as an international ice dancer, had the idea to try out two young skaters together training in Nottingham. Their names? Jayne Torvill & Christopher Dean. Their legacy stems from Janet's initial foresight to see their potential together. And I for one am hugely grateful!! But Janet had a stellar career of her own. From 1963 to 1974; a phenomenally long career for the time, Janet was one of the most successful ice dancers in the world. She was a multiple British Champion and World and European medallist, but what makes Janet's career so unique is that she was able to stay at the very top of the sport with three different partners and without ever missing a season. Each of her three skating partnerships won medals at the highest levels of international competition; a unique achievement in skating. Here, Janet and her third partner Peter Dalby skate to the bronze medal at the European Championships behind the shock result of the decade when the Bucks beat Pakhomova & Gorshkov. This includes the medal ceremony (where I am living for Ludmilla's bevel) for quite obvious reasons. Who WAS that man? Commentating is the 1948 European champion and Olympic silver medallist, Dr Eva Pawlik. It's my pleasure to upload this video for someone who I not only admire greatly but have been lucky enough to get to know over the last couple of years. Thanks Janet, for everything xxx