Uschi Keszler

Career

Uschi Keszler qualified to represent the Unified Team of Germany at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck and finished 24th. The following season, she became the West German national champion and placed 11th at the 1965 European Championships.

In the 1965–66 season, Keszler won gold at the Richmond Trophy and the national silver medal. In January 1966, Keszler placed eighth at the European Championships and then 11th at the 1966 World Championships in late February. In April 1966, it was reported that Keszler and a fellow single skater, Ralph Borghard, had considered teaming up to compete in pairs. The two practiced some lifts together but her parents rejected the idea.

Keszler spent eight months in hospital after contracting tuberculosis and was advised by her doctors not to return to competition. She began working as a coach and choreographer in the United States. Keszler is known primarily for her work with Canadian skaters Brian Orser, Elvis Stojko, and Shae-Lynn Bourne / Victor Kraatz. Keszler invented the term "hydroblading" to refer to skating on deep edges low to the ice, and using it as a training technique. In 1997, she became a co-owner of the Ice Works rink in Aston, Pennsylvania.

Personal life

Keszler was born in Mannheim and settled in the United States. She married Aram Boornazian, with whom she has a son, Marc. A survivor of breast and uterine cancer, she founded Uschi Keszler's Pennies-in-Action Cancer Research Fund.