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Time Traveller: Karen Magnussen sets out to conquer the world

Legendary North Vancouver figure skater won Olympic silver and world championship gold
Karen Magnussen

This photo shows one of North Vancouver’s most celebrated athletes, Karen Magnussen, a year before she won her first Canadian women's championship in 1968. Silver medals at the 1972 Olympics and world championships were followed by gold in the 1973 worlds.

Magnussen was Canada's female athlete of the year in 1971 and 1972. After turning professional in 1973 she skated in the Ice Capades, then retired to coach and operate a chain of skating schools. She is a member of the Canadian Figure Skating, Canadian Sports, and B.C. Sports halls of fame, and has received the Order of Canada.

The Karen Magnussen Community Recreation Centre in North Vancouver is named after her.

Visit the MONOVA website for more information about the history of the North Shore and to learn about MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver opening in Fall 2021.

Currently, MONOVA: Archives of North Vancouver at 3203 Institute Road in Lynn Valley is open by appointment only. Contact: [email protected]

Navigate culture on the North Shore by using the North Shore Culture Compass.