1979 Canadian Figure Skating Pins: No Thunder in Thunder Bay.

Last Updated on April 12, 2025 by Netropolitan Museum

Event pins, while emblematic of the era, were decidedly understated

Thunder Bay. The name alone paints a picture of overcast skies, chunky wool sweaters, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, crusty artisan bread, and a steaming bowl of clam chowder. It doesn’t exactly scream “major figure skating event,” yet in January 1979, it became the center of Canada’s skating world. The 1979 Canadian Figure Skating Championships arrived with all the grace and excitement expected of such an event, yet the commemorative pins, while emblematic of the era, were decidedly understated—no thunder, no lightning, just a quiet nod to the competition.

The main logo pin, small yet striking, showcases a pair team executing an elegant arabesque, their arms and free legs extended in perfect harmony. The deep red background makes the white and gray skaters stand out, while the event details—”Canadians, ’79″—are stacked neatly on the left. In the top right corner, “Thunder Bay” sits in a plain block font, a contrast to the curiously chosen calligraphic lettering for the event name, which likely aimed for sophistication but landed somewhere closer to just bad. With a silver-tone base metal, a thin white border, and subtly rounded edges, the pin has a sleek, modern feel.

Pins Gallery: 1979 Canadian Figure Skating Championships

A larger, more exclusive version of the pin was reserved for competitors and selected officials. It mirrors the original design but swaps silver for gold-tone metal, adding a richness that complements the red backdrop—reminiscent of the 1978 World Figure Skating Championships pins. This limited-edition piece holds added significance, as the one on display here at The Netropolitan comes from the collection of Brian Orser, the future world champion and two-time Olympic silver medalist.

For collectors and skating history buffs, the 1979 Canadian Figure Skating pins capture a moment in time—one where Thunder Bay briefly took center stage in the Canadian skating world, even if its commemorative pins remained quiet in their own right.

This blog was originally published at The Netropolitan Museum of Figure Skating Pins on August 27, 2022, and has been updated with new and expanded information.

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Figure Skating Flashback: 1979

• The 1979 World Figure Skating Championships saw Linda Fratianne of the U.S. reclaim her world title, avenging her 1978 loss to East Germany’s Anett Pöetzsch and cementing her status as a two-time world champion. In pairs, Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner made history by becoming only the second American team to win the world pairs title, edging out a formidable Soviet duo in a thrilling competition.
• Lake Placid, New York, hosted the Flaming Leaves International – Norton Skate event in September, serving as the official test for the newly constructed Olympic arena ahead of the 1980 Winter Games. This competition not only paved the way for the Games but also inspired the creation of Skate America, which debuted in 1981 and became a staple of international skating. At the time, the “Norton Skate” pin was a prized collectible, though today, it has faded into obscurity with little interest.
• In Zagreb, Yugoslavia, the 1979 European Figure Skating Championships were marked by a unique set of three small stickpins—one each in gold, silver, and bronze. It’s often said that good things come in threes, and for European skating that year, it certainly rang true.
• On the junior circuit, teenage sensation Elaine Zayak of the U.S. captured the World Junior title in Augsburg, West Germany. She would later rise to prominence as both U.S. and world champion, forever changing the landscape of women’s figure skating with her athleticism. The pin from this event, featuring a Zirbelnuss (essentially a pinecone), stands out as the only known championship pin to showcase this unusual symbol.
• Perhaps the most shocking moment of 1979 came in September, when legendary Soviet pairs skaters Oleg Protopopov and Ludmila Belusova Protopopov defected to Switzerland. Revered in the Soviet Union for their artistry and innovation, their departure sent shockwaves through the skating world. Though their homeland may have considered them traitors, their contributions to the sport remain an enduring legacy.

From championship triumphs to historic competitions and unexpected political drama, 1979 was a year of unforgettable moments in figure skating.

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