Thirty years ago this month Elizabeth Manley’s dazzling first-place performance in the free skate vaulted her to the Olympic Silver Medal at the Saddledome in Calgary. It was an exceptional performance and a welcome, uplifting accomplishment as Canada’s best results among five total medals in those Olympics came in figure skating where Manley and Brian Orser claimed Silver. Who can forget the radiant Manley, dressed in red, carrying a bouquet of red roses and holding the Canadian flag posing for photos putting a bite on the Silver Medal where only the legendary Katarina Witt rose above her! The pride of Belleville had won over the hearts of Canadians everywhere. She spent more than 30 years in amateur and professional figure skating and participated in the 1984 Olympics at Sarajevo as well as in her homeland. Her 50 national and international achievements also included being a two-time U.S. Open Figure Skating Champion, three-time Canadian Figure Skating Champion and the 1988 World Figure Skating Silver Medallist where once again, only Witt surpassed her. The first Canadian female to successfully land the triple-double combination jump in competition is most remembered, however, for the glory in Calgary and the smiles – hers and of a nation – that accompanied it.

Head table guest 2018