Jaroslav Votruba (born 1 April 1939) is a Czech former pair skater who competed for Czechoslovakia. With skating partner Milada Kubíková, he placed 5th at two World Championships and 10th at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.

Jaroslav Votruba
Born (1939-04-01) 1 April 1939 (age 85)
Plzeň, Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Figure skating career
CountryCzechoslovakia
PartnerMilada Kubíková
Retired1964

Life and career

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Votruba was born on 1 April 1939 in Plzeň, Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.[1][2] He teamed up with Milada Kubíková by the 1958–59 season.

The pair placed seventh at their first major event, the 1962 European Championships in Geneva, Switzerland, and then fifth at the 1962 World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

Kubíková/Votruba had their best season in 1962–63. They placed 5th at the 1963 European Championships in Budapest, Hungary, and achieved the same result at the 1963 World Championships in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Kubíková/Votruba finished 12th at the 1964 European Championships in Grenoble, France, and 10th at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.[1]

Czechoslovak authorities destroyed footage of Kubíková/Votruba's performances following her defection, although Votruba stayed.[3] The pair was named one of Plzeň's ten "Sport Stars of the 20th Century" at a gala on 17 February 2001.[3]

Competitive highlights

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With Kubíková

International
Event 58–59 59–60 60–61 61–62 62–63 63–64
Winter Olympics 10th
World Championships 5th 5th
European Champ. 7th 5th 12th
National
Czechoslovak Champ. 3rd 3rd 2nd 1st 1st

References

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  1. ^ a b "Jaroslav Votruba". Sports-Reference. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017.
  2. ^ "Jaroslav Votruba" (in Czech). Czech Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Parkwood Skate School Director Milada Kubikova-Stastny Honored". Great Neck Record. 9 March 2001. Archived from the original on 18 February 2005.