Ronald ROBERTSON

Ronnie Robertson was called the world’s greatest spinner but he was also a tremendous jumper and, in all, was an outstanding free skater. His first title came at the 1952 U.S. championships where he won the men’s junior title. Advancing to the seniors, he finished second in the 1953 Nationals. In the next few years, he had many battles with Hayes Alan Jenkins but he always came up short. He was second again at the 1954 and 1955 Worlds as well as the 1956 Nationals and Olympics. At the 1956 Nationals, Jenkins defeated Robertson in free skating, the only time Robertson ever lost the free skating phase of the competition. Robertson turned pro after the 1956 Nationals, signing a two-year contract with the Ice Capades for a rumored $100,000 per year. He remained with them for many years. In 1973 he won the International Skating Festival in Tokyo, Japan, one of the first professional competitions. Robertson was gay and spent several years as the lover of well-known actor, Tab Hunter.