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Rhode Lee Michelson

1961 U.S. ladies bronze medalist

Rhode Lee Michelson, 17, was considered the most powerful female free skater of her time. Born in Long Beach, Calif., she was the daughter of Arthur and Martha ("Marty") Michelson. Rhode first began speedskating, along with her father and younger brother, Mike, at the Iceland rink in Paramount, Calif. She was also a champion baton twirler, but by age 11 she had committed herself to figure skating. Michelson trained with Jean Westwood and then with Bill Kipp in Paramount, and trained several summers with Kipp in Lake Placid, N.Y. Representing the Arctic Blades Figure Skating Club, she was the 1958 U.S. novice ladies champion. In junior ladies competition, she won the U.S. bronze medal in 1959 and the silver in 1960. A dynamic free skater, her signature moves were a traveling camel spin and clean double Axels. More than anything else, Michelson, who still competed in a few speedskating races for fun, skated with tremendous speed. At the 1961 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, she pulled up from fifth in figures to third place and earned a berth on the 1961 U.S. World Figure Skating Team. She had to withdraw from the 1961 North American Figure Skating Championships due to an injury. Rhode had often skated when injured, but when doctors warned her that she might be off the ice for several months if she didn't listen to them, she obeyed. She was determined to go to Prague and compete at the 1961 World Figure Skating Championships.

Bio written by Patricia Shelley Bushman, author of Indelible Tracings.