Jennifer Nicks

Jennifer Nicks
Born(1932-04-13)13 April 1932
Died21 August 1980(1980-08-21) (aged 48)
Figure skating career
Country Great Britain
Retired1953
Medal record
Representing  Great Britain
Pairs' Figure skating
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1953 Davos Pairs
Bronze medal – third place 1951 Milan Pairs
Bronze medal – third place 1952 Paris Pairs
Silver medal – second place 1950 London Pairs
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 1953 Davos Pairs
Silver medal – second place 1952 Vienna Pairs
Bronze medal – third place 1950 Oslo Pairs
Bronze medal – third place 1951 Zürich Pairs

Jennifer Mary Nicks (13 April 1932 – 21 August 1980) was a British pair skater. She competed with brother John Nicks. In 1953, the two won Great Britain's only World and European titles in pair skating, after having placed fourth at the 1952 Winter Olympics.

Personal life

Jennifer Nicks, the daughter of a sporting goods store owner, grew up in Brighton, England.[1][2] She was the sister of John Nicks.[1] She died in 1980 as the result of a heart attack.

Career

Jennifer Nicks began skating after her father – who knew nothing about skating but wanted to sell skating equipment – put her and her brother in skates in order to learn more about them.[1]

Jennifer and John Nicks competed initially as singles skaters but agreed to train together in pair skating upon the request of the British association, which promised to support them.[1] They made their first Olympic appearance at the 1948 Winter Olympics, where they finished 8th. The pair won the first of their four World medals, silver, at the 1950 World Championships. They won World bronze the next two seasons and competed at their second Olympics in 1952, where they finished 4th. The pair won gold at the 1953 World Championships in Davos, Switzerland. They retired from competition after the event.

Competitive highlights

(with John Nicks)

Event 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953
Winter Olympic Games 8th 4th
World Championships 8th 6th 2nd 3rd 3rd 1st
European Championships 6th 5th 6th 3rd 3rd 2nd 1st
British Championships 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st

References

  1. ^ a b c d Rosewater, Amy (14 January 2013). "A life in skating: An interview with John Nicks". IceNetwork.
  2. ^ Reid, Scott M. (27 March 2012). "Time hasn't slowed down figure skating's Nicks". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on 1 May 2012.