On February 15, 1961, a tragic plane crash killed all the members of the U.S. Figure Skating Team. Also, friends, family, judges, officials, and coaches were killed. The skaters were traveling to the World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Patty Shelley Bushman wrote a book about the team and also has made a website in the team's memory. This photo gallery includes photos from her book "Indelible Tracings" and from her 1961 U.S. World Figure Skating Team website of some of the people who were killed in that plane crash.
Diane Sherbloom was from the Los Angeles Figure Skating Club. She was without a partner in 1961, and did not plan to take part in the 1961 U.S. Championships. At the last minute, Larry Pierce asked her to skate with him since his partner, Marilyn Meeker, broke her ankle. Five weeks later, the team won the 1961 U.S. Ice Dance title.
Dallas “Larry” Pierce was from the Winter Club of Indianapolis. With Marilyn Meeker, he won the silver medal at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in 1960. They placed fifth at Worlds.
Sherbloom's and Pierce's coach was Daniel "Danny" Ryan who was also killed in the plane crash.
