1963 World Figure Skating Championships, disaster struck them during the free dance, when screws attaching Betts's skate blade to the boot fell out. They were given permission to restart after making repairs, but the screws again came loose, and they were unable to complete their program. After this season, they retired from competition and took up coaching. One of Betts's first students was Peggy Fleming, who was training with him when she won her first national title in 1964.