Colledge, (Magdalena) Cecilia

▪ 2009

      British figure skater

born Nov. 28, 1920, London, Eng.

died April 12, 2008, Cambridge, Mass.

competed in the 1932 Winter Olympics at age 11 years and 73 days, the youngest athlete ever to participate in the Winter Games. Colledge finished eighth behind Norwegian gold medalist Sonja Henie but returned in 1936 to earn the silver medal behind the three-time Olympic champion. After Henie retired to a Hollywood career, Colledge took the gold medal at the 1937 world championships. After serving as a World War II ambulance driver, Colledge turned professional. In 1952 she moved to Boston, where she coached until 1977. A spirited and innovative athlete, Colledge was the first woman to complete a double jump in competition (a double salchow) and was credited with inventing the camel spin, the layback spin, and the Colledge one-foot axel jump.

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