Donald Jackson

Biography

Donald Jackson wrote his name into the history books at the 1962 World Figure Skating Championships in Prague when he became the first person to land a triple lutz in competition. The jump would not be performed by another man for 12 years. Jackson had been in second place after the compulsory figures, but the landing of the lutz was just the start of stunning five-minute free skate. He received a record seven perfect scores and was crowned world champion. He ended 1962 winning the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada’s Athlete of the Year.

Two years earlier, Jackson had won the bronze medal at the 1960 Olympic Winter Games in Squaw Valley. That had followed his silver medal at the 1959 World Championships, a result he repeated in 1960. Jackson had been a junior national champion at 14. He won the first of his four straight senior national titles in 1959.

Jackson turned professional following his world championship victory and skated with the Ice Follies until 1968. In 1966, he and his brother developed a figure skate bearing his name. Jackson Ultima Skates are now worn by elite skaters around the world.

Jackson was inducted to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1962, the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1972, and World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1977.