FAMOUS SWISS: DENISE BIELLMANN

In 1962, when the Zurich Lake froze over, Denise Biellmann was born on the 11th December. She represented Switzerland as an Amateur Figure Skater for 11 years. At the age of 8, Denise won her first International Competition in Belgium. Aged 11, she was already Swiss Junior National Champion and at only 13, Denise could jump all 5 triples.
Denise was the 1st ever woman to jump the triple Lutz and became World famous through the Spin named after her. At the 1980 Olympics, in Lake Placid, Denise won the Gold Medal in the Free and one year later in 1981 she won the Swiss Nationals for the 3rd consecutive time, came 1st at the Europeans in Innsbruck and went on to Hartford to become the 1st and only Swiss Person ever to win the World Amateur Figure Skating Championships.
Between 1979 and 1981 Denise won Gold on no less than 16 occasions at International Armature Figure Skating Competitions. In 1979 and 1981 she was also voted Swiss Sports Person of the year. Also, she then went onto to compete in Professional Competitions and won the World Professional Title 11 times. In 1995 she was voted Swiss Sports Person of the Century.
Aside all the titles, some of the highlights of her career are the skating performances to the live music performed by world famous artists such as Montserrat Caballé, Simon Estes, Vanessa Mae, En-Vogue, Sarah Brightman, Chris de Burgh, Udo Jürgens, Barry Manilow, Zucchero, Gloria Gaynor, Scorpions and All Saints.
Her popularity is not only limited to Europe, due to her victories and TV presence in skating shows, she is a well known and loved skating star in America and was twice voted to one of the most influential Figure Skating persons in the USA. Denise is still considered one of the best professional female skaters in the World. Her skating routines with technical elements and unique choreography make her an artist who is still in demand.