In February, 1961, a plane crash killed all 18 members of the U.S. Figure Skating Team—along with 16 friends, family members, judges, and coaches— on their way to the World Championships in Prague. It was a tragedy that had repercussions in the sport of figure skating for years to come. Frozen in Time: The Enduring Legacy of the 1961 U.S. Figure Skating Team is the first book ever to explore the events leading up to the crash that changed the face of the sport.

To honor the 45th anniversary of the crash of Sabena Flight 548, author and competitive figure skater Nikki Nichols presents a deeply moving and impeccably researched account of one of the most tragic stories in the history of American sports. Frozen in Time takes readers inside the lives of these skaters, revealing their friendships and romances, rivalries, sacrifices, and triumphs leading up to the fateful trip.

The book also explores the aftermath of the crash. Because the U.S. skating program had lost all of its stars and was struggling to rebuild, very young competitors—including Peggy Fleming—were thrust into the spotlight to fill the void. Those young skaters matured quickly and became the very face and future of the sport.

But perhaps the most far-reaching and inspirational response to the loss of the 1961 team was the creation of the U.S. Figure Skating Memorial Fund, which has provided training grants and scholarships to skaters who would not otherwise be able to afford the sport—including Scott Hamilton and many other top skaters.

Hardcover, 208 pages