Elizabeth Manley | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Elizabeth Manley

In 1989, Manley retired from amateur competition and went on to enjoy a successful professional career. She was involved in several television specials, including Elvis Tour of Champions. She toured briefly with the Ice Capades, where she played Cinderella in Cinderella: Frozen in Time.
Manley, Elizabeth
An evening performance by figure skater Elizabeth Manley (photo by L.T. Webster, courtesy Take Stock Photography Inc.).

Manley, Elizabeth

 Elizabeth Manley, figure skater (b at Belleville, Ont 7 Aug 1965). She began figure skating at age five with a pair of her brother's used skates. Immediately, Manley exhibited a powerful athletic style and a unique on-ice presence of grace that set her apart from her peers. In 1979, while still a junior, she became the first Canadian woman to land a triple jump combination in competition. She moved to the senior division in 1981 and earned a bronze medal in her first Canadian championships. She won a silver medal at the national championships in 1982 and moved to Lake Placid for one year. This was an unsuccessful move and she finished off the medal podium in 1983. Consequently, she returned to Canada to work with new coaches. In the year that followed, she achieved a second-place finish at the Canadian championships and a spot on the Olympic and World teams. She went on to become the Canadian champion in 1985, 1987 and 1988. The highlight of her career was a brilliant freestyle performance at the Calgary Olympics in 1988, which included five triple jumps. It won her a silver medal and the adoration of millions of Canadians who had seen her on television. She repeated her silver medal performance at the 1988 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. She was named Woman of the Year in 1988 by Chatelaine magazine and has received recognition for her extensive charity work.

In 1989, Manley retired from amateur competition and went on to enjoy a successful professional career. She was involved in several television specials, including Elvis Tour of Champions. She toured briefly with the Ice Capades, where she played Cinderella in Cinderella: Frozen in Time. In 2001, she moved to Florida to embark on a coaching career. Manley is a member of the Order of Canada.