Karel Vosátka Explained

Karel Vosátka
Country:Czechoslovakia
Birth Date:November 20, 1929
Birth Place:Plzeň, Czechoslovakia
Residence:Quebec, Canada
Death Place:Quebec, Canada
Partner:Blažena Knittlová, Věra Vajsábelová, Hana Dvořáková

Karel Vosátka (November 20, 1929 – 27 May 2022) was a pair skater who competed for Czechoslovakia. With skating partner Blažena Knittlová, he was the 1948 European silver medalist.

Personal life

Vosátka was born on November 20, 1929, in Plzeň. He married Romanian figure skater Cristina Patraulea in 1963 and emigrated to Canada in 1975. Vosátka has coached in Romania (1961–64); Gottwaldov (Zlín), Czechoslovakia; Switzerland (1968–1974); France (1974–1975), and Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He has coached for several years with her wife for CPA Stellaire and CPA Fantasia in Baie-Comeau, Quebec, Canada. His son, Robin Vosatka (born September 8, 1965), finished 4th in pair skating at the 1981 Canadian Championships.

Vosátka died on 27 May 2022, at the age of 92.[1]

Career

Early in his career, Vosátka competed in partnership with Blažena Knittlová. They were awarded the silver medal at the 1948 European Championships in Prague. The pair withdrew from the 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz. Their partnership ended in 1953. Vosátka teamed up with Věra Vajsábelová and then Hana Dvořáková. Dvořáková/Vosátka competed at five European Championships, achieving their best result, 5th, in 1960. He retired from competition in 1961, following the crash of Sabena Flight 548 and cancellation of the World Championships in Prague.

Results

With Knittlová

International
Event1948195019521953
align=left WD
align=left 9th
align=left bgcolor=silver 2nd
National
align=left bgcolor=silver 2nd bgcolor=silver 2nd bgcolor=silver 2nd
WD = Withdrew

With Dvořáková

International
Event19571958195919601961
align=left 9th 6th 6th 5th 6th
National
align=left bgcolor=silver 2nd bgcolor=silver 2nd bgcolor=gold 1st bgcolor=gold 1st bgcolor=gold 1st

Notes and References

  1. News: 9 July 2022. Respect overdue for 'Mr. V,' inventor of figure skating's short program. 25 April 2023. montrealgazette.com/. en.