Linda Fratianne

American professional figure skater. Two time world champion and Olympic silver medallist, Linda Fratianne soared to international status at the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid. One of five children, Fratianne grew up in Northridge, CA and was given her first pair of skates at age nine as a surprise Christmas present. Never dreaming of fame or fortune, the youngster skated for fun. "I started out because I loved skating and it was fun to do. I didn't get into skating because I saw somebody or I wanted to be in the Olympics. I did it because I loved it." At age 12 she was invited to represent the United States at her first international competition, a post she took very seriously. Following this event, she set her goals for her future. Two years later she began achieving them at the 1976 National Championship, accomplishing the first series of triple jumps ever performed in competition by a female skater. Exhibiting a style that was alternately described as a "coldly technical masterpiece" and "feline," she won the world championship in 1977, but lost the title the following year to Anett Poetsch of East Germany. Before facing her rival in Vienna 1979, Fratianne changed her whole image. After a nose job, a new hair style and sexier costumes, she loosened up her skating style and regained the championship. The race for an Olympic medal was on. "The thing that kind of boggles me is at the Olympics it was like ten years of training for that one particular program. That's where the pressure came in." Training under pressure served her well; the following year at the Winter Games at Lake Placid NY, she took the Silver Medal. Retiring from competition after her success at Lake Placid, a daily routine without training for competitive skating held a few surprises. Fratianne freely admitted her difficulty adjusting to life on her own. "I was 19 and all of a sudden I was out in the real world. I didn't have a driver's license. I didn't know how to write out a check. It was very confusing to me to all of a sudden have all these responsibilities." Turning pro, she joined the Ice Follies - Holiday on Ice, which later became the Walt Disney Magic Kingdom on Ice show. "I hope the public looks at me as the sweet, all-American girl because I don't drink, I don't do drugs. I work for Disney. I mean, what could be a more wholesome company? I don't have a hard time upholding the image." When not skating, sleeping or doing interviews, 5'2, 98 pound Fratianne's hobby is doll collecting. On 2/27/1987, she announced her engagement to stunt skater Nick Maricich. Link to Wikipedia biography