History

In the rich history of world skating, Croatia and Zagreb have richly contributed to the development, growth and promotion. We were the hosts of two European Championships, World Junior Championships and World Synchronited Skating Championships. We also gathered the youth of the world on three Junior Grand Prix competitions.

As recognition of over a 100 years of organized skating in Croatia, the ISU awarded Zagreb the European Championships; especially important for the fact that it was the first competition where the judges did not “lift” their marks but used special equipment that was created by Croatian experts! The same equipment was used on all official competitions (European and World championships and Olympic Games) till recently.

1974. Eueopean Figure Skating Championships

1979. Eueopean Figure Skating Championships

1998. World Junior Figure Skating Championships

2003. Junior Grand Prix

2004. World Synchronized Skating Competition

2005. Junior Grand Prix

2007. Junior Grand Prix

2008. Eueopean Figure Skating Championships

TRUST OF THE ISU

We are one of the few federations that has as many as four competitions listed in the official ISU calendar – The Golden Spin of Zagreb (senior), Golden Bear (Junior and younger), Mladost Trophy (Junior and younger) and Zagreb Snowflakes Trophy (synchronized skating).
We wanted to give our young skaters as many opportunities to compete with their peers as possible and so, after the Golden Spin (1967) our oldest competition, in 1986 a competition called “Šalata Cup” (1982) became the Golden Bear. The next initiated competition was Mladost Trophy followed by our youngest competition Zagreb Snowflakes Trophy (2001).

It is a special pleasure to welcome skaters from all over the world, some of them became loyal friends over the years. Many expressions of praise and thank we accept with pride and a sense of obligation because every year we strive to be better, faster and stronger.

THROUGH THE FOG TO WORLD PROJECTS

The Golden Spin has been going strong for over 39 years! It is one of the oldest skating events not only in Croatia and Europe but also the world. Skaters from 5 continents have taken part so far – Europe, North and South America, Asia, Afrika and Australia. Out of 15 countries that sent their representatives to the competition, the most medals were won by skaters from the USA (38), followed by Germany (31), Hungary (27)… The Spin has been a host to many subsequent Olympic, World and European gold medallists. Many esteemed names of the sport skated in Zagreb and they gladly returned even after their skating career was over as judges, coaches, officials…
Anett Potzsch, Ktarina Witt, Dagmar Lutz, Christina Kristofich-Binder, Agnes Gosselin, Jeri Campbell, Kelly Szmurlo, Laszlo Vajda, Sergej Volkov, František Pehchar, Jan Hofmann, Jean Christophe Simond, Rudi Cerne, Heiko Fischer, Scott Hamilton, Viktor Petrenko…are just some of the legendary skaters that competed at the Golden Spin. They all knew that participating in Zagreb means to breakthrough in the world ranks and a big step towards world affirmation. And it all began on the open ice rink Šalata, December 8-10, 1967. The friendship between Zagreb and Sofia began to grow into something big. There were only 6 nations at the first competition (Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Czechoslovakia and Croatia) and a record breaking 26 nations just befote the Olympic Games in Sarajevo. At first it was a competition for men, ladies and pairs, ice dancing was introduced in 1981. Later on a team competition was added to the program. . It is interesting to mention that the Golden Spin has been in the ISU calendar since 1972.
Since the competition was initially held on an open ice rink, in 1968 the pair event had to be stopped due to thick fog. One of the founders, mr. Radovan Lipovšćak, also remembers that in 1969, due to heavy snow during the figures competition, all the organizers had to clean the ice from snow and they were helped by all coaches, team leaders and available judges. In 1972 all the weather related worries were ober because Zagreb got a covered ice rink – Dom Sportova arena, and the ever more popular competition a new name – the Golden Spin of Zagreb. When the Spin moved indoors it really took off.
Zagreb will forever be written in the history of skating – it is precisely here where technology, revolutionary for that time, was used for judging; the judges marks were instatnly shown on the scoreboard. It was also our bigget test for the European Championships that took place in 1974. And in 2001 the ISU made the Golden Spin the qualifying competition for the Olympic Games 2002.

There was only one year when the Golden Spin wasn’t held. It was in 1991 due to war. The atrocious aggresion on Croatia made it immposible for us to celebrate the silver anniversary of our competiition. The 25th Golden Spin had to be “put on ice” until the situation became more peaceful. It was hard to gain the world’s trust and bring all our guests back to Zagreb, but we celebrated our anniversary defying all the difficulties with 11 countries participating. There is no future wuthout history and the Golden Spin of Zagreb is on the right track and opens its doors and heart for all the young skaters in the world.

SANDA FOREVER

The first lady of the Golden Spin is certainly Sanda Dubravčić, now Sanda Dubravčić-Šimunjak M.D. She won a total of 8 medals – 5 gold, one silver and two bronze. In 1977 she won for the first time, 1980-1983 she was unbeatable.
“I was always very excited because the Golden Spin in my hometown was more than just sport. I will remember the year 1984 and the 18th Golden spin for the rest of my life because that was the moment that I said goodbye to competitive skating. Those are now the Spind of my youth, something I will forever have in my heart. My parend haveallways been involved in the Spin as doctors and I continue that tradition.” – Sanda remembers. Sanda is now a member of the organizing committee and the chairperson of the medical committee.
Many generations of families have worked on the Golden Spin – Sanda’s family (Dubravčić) and also families Lipovšćak, Amšel, Mumelaš, Čižmešija…
This competition survived because all those people who selflessly gave their love and effort. A competition this demanding can go on only with perseverance and love.
The skaters who represented Croatia at the first Golden Spin in 1967 were – Dunja Vujičić, Bojan Lipovšćak and Zoran Matas. After them came mane young skaters. Croatia won 13 medals. Along with the incomparable Sanda Dubravčić the medallists were – Željka Čižmešija (bronze; 1986), Ivana Jakupčević (silver; 1992) and Melita Juratek (bronze; 1992). A new chapter was opened by Idora Hegel who won the bronz medal in 2003. It was only a preview for what is to come, a year later the 21-year-old won gold!
“Sanda is my role-model in everything. We waited for 22 years for a new gold medal. History seems to be repeating – Sanda won her first medal, bronze, in 1976 and in 1977 she won gold. I did the same, but I still don’t know if I will match her accomplishments. New challenges have always motivated me.” – Idora is optimistic.
Sanda Dubravčić holds the record for both medals and performances (1976-1983). Nevenka Lisak competed in the Golden Spin eight times (1977-1984). Željka Čižmešija, Ana Ivančić and Ivana Jakupčević competed seven times, Melita Juratek and Tamara Panjkret six, Sanja Amšel five times…

Tomislav Čižmešija holds the record for men with an astounding 9 competitions! Miljan Begović competed eight times, Zoran Matas six times, Mladen Mumelaš and Zoran Marković five times…

FOUNDERS

Six legendary founders are written in the history of Croatian skaters. Vladimir Amšel, Božidar Čubriković, Klara Dušanović, Zlatko Gros, Radovan Lipovšćak and Ante Škrtić. Since the first day, Marijan Mumelaš was in the Organizing Committee, and was its president for many years.