From the January 24, 1985 edition of The Salem Times-Register
The name of Kathy Davidson is a familiar one to figure skating aficionados and for a good reason. In the early 1970’s, Mrs. Davidson and her partner, Greg Taylor, were among the cream of this nation’s figure skating pairs.
In 1970 and 1971, the duo won the Senior Pairs Championship of the Eastern United States, and they were selected as a alternative for the prestigious World Skating Team. In 1972, they finished slightly behind the qualifiers for America’s 1972 Winter Olympics figure skating team.
Disappointed but hardly discouraged, the pair embarked upon a six-year career with the two premier traveling ice spectaculars, “Ice Follies” and “Holiday on Ice.”
By any measure, the pretty blonde from Cleveland, Ohio, who first learned to skate on a frozen outdoor tennis court, had come a long way.
“Skating took me to so many different places around the world and brought me into contact with so many different people,” Mrs. Davidson said. It brought me varied and wonderful opportunities.”
Despite these, she decided to retire from the rigors of competitive skating in n1978 at the ripe old age of 26 and settle in Roanoke with her husband, Donald.
“I just became tired of the road,” Mrs. Davidson explained. “While on tour with the ice shows I was visiting more than 30 cities a year. It was a lot of fun, but it was hardly conducive to a married lifestyle.”
The Davidsons came to the Roanoke area to visit a friend. Once here they quickly fell in love with the blue-spotted mountains and the relaxed pace of life.
Content to be away from the ice, the young couple dabbled in real estate and became affiliated with Martin Travel Inc. of Salem.
In 1980, however, Kathy began to miss the swirl and pageantry of competitive ice skating. To satiate her craving she began to organize and lead tour groups overseas to the Worl ice Skating Championships. These tours have spanned the globe and this year’s group will visit Japan in March.
These trips have become so successful that the Davidsons have formed their own travel company, Skating Tours, which is affiliated with Martin Travel.
“These trips are a real pleasure,” Mrs. Davidson said.” Not only do they allow me to keep in touch with international skating, but they also permit me to teach others about the fine points of skating rules, the various events, and the different styles.”
In 1985, however, her teaching will not only take place in the grandstands. Starting this month, she will begin teaching figure skating classes at the Lancer Lot in Vinton. She strongly believes that the area will support her efforts to bring figure skating to its residents.
“I think figure skating will catch on here for two reasons,” Mrs. Davidon said. “In the first place, Roanoke, Salem, and Vinton are locales that are interested in the arts. Figure skating is, in many ways, an art form. Secondly, this is a family area. People like to do things together. Figure skating is ideal for group participation.”
Mrs. Davidson also said that it is an excellent way to exercise.
“It has helped me stay young,” she said. “Now I want others to find the enjoyment and pleasure it has given me.”
-Prepared by Shelly Koon
