Last Updated on August 21, 2021 by Netropolitan Museum

1986 Skate America at The Netropolitan Museum of Figure Skating Pins

For only the second time in its short history, Skate America was held in a state other than New York. Top competitors from around the world gathered in Portland, Maine, for the 1986 Skate America event—the first major figure skating competition to be held in the northernmost New England state.

Building on the past, the pins made to commemorate 1986 Skate America feature the familiar red and blue event logo—a pair team gliding effortlessly on an outside edge. It’s a memorable and clean logo that instantly identifies Skate America. In a literal reversal from the previous year, the Skate America logo was restored to the original configuration, where the pair skaters lean to the left. For the 1985 Skate America event, the skaters leaned to the right.

Building on the past, the pins made to commemorate the 1986 Skate America feature the familiar red and blue event logo—a pair team gliding effortlessly on an outside edge.

Two pins from the 1986 event are featured in the gallery below. The first is more a traditional design on a gold-colored base metal with red, white, and blue enamel fills. It is clean and crisp. Tucked into the lower left corner beside the skaters is the event year and name, in blue with a gold outline: “’86 Skate America.” Turned 90 degrees along the right side of the pin is the location, in gold: “Portland, ME.” A blue border frames the pin, which measures approximately 1″ x 13/16″ (2.5 cm x 2.1 cm).

The second, larger pin features a shiny gold finish that is almost mirror-like, something rarely seen in figure skating pins. The same general design is used for this pin, but the event year, name, and location are instead treated in blue. This pin also is on a gold-colored base metal and measures approximately 1-1/4″ x 1″ (3.2 cm x 2.5 cm).

Enjoy The Maine Event. 1986.

1986 Skate America Pin Gallery

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