New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-07
Erstwhile Champion of Eu-
rope Now Here, and May
Be Seen Daily at St.
Nicholas Rink.
Ev FRED HAWTHORNE.

Wherever outdoor ports are know n
and induced IN Americans have set the
mark Of their athletic greatness. Base
ball. football. hockey. lawn tennis, POLO
swimming these ard score OF otner
outdoor activities have all seen the
names OF our countrymen and women
at tho TOP among the worlds greatest
In view OF this. it is all the more re-
markable that in one OF the most grace
full and healthy Of all outdoor sports
fancy or figure skating. Americans are
notably deficient. In tact, with the cN-
ception o. Irvine Brokaw, VINO has
many times won the national cham
pionship AT this STYLE Of skating and
one or two others in the past, the art IS
practically unknown in this countrN.
But with the arrival IN this country
last week Of Paul Wilson, Of Stock
holm. Sweden, 10 is probable that fancy
skating viii gain much Of the popu-
larity ho:c that it enjoys abroad. Mr..
Wilson is young IN years, but learned
W. the science OF cutting marvellous
figures on the ice. ard ms form is said
to be perfection itself On more than
one occasion he has won the figure
skating championship OF Europe at ST.
uoritz. and that means the champion
shin Of the world. for all the most ia
nous skaters enter these tournaments
eacn year.
Mr.. Wilson and Miss Clare Cassel. Of
this city. who has won innumerable
trophics on the lawn tennis courts. Wis
tied the 81. Nicholas Rink Yesterday
morning and went through series OF
cvolutious on the ice. Miss Cassel Is
even more expert on the steel runners
e. sssafh
learned 10 skate according 10 the Con
tincntal method, and IS probably the
orcatcst woman skater in this country.
The appearance Of TWO such masters
Of the art % figure skating proved a
great attraction for the crowd OF a
hundred or more persons then Oh the
ice. and almost unconsciousiy, u
seemed. the onlookers formed ring
about the young Swedish champion and
his partner. When the band struck up
a walt Miss Cassel and Mr. wilson
swung into time.
IL was a. II the Vernon Castles had
suddenly become possessed OF winged
feet. In graceful curves. startling
pirouettes and dips that were sympho-
MICS Of motion the two skaters whirled
about the ice in perfect time 10 the
music. The crowd watched until the
dance ended and then applauded en-
Enthusiastically
II all seemed so very simple FOR
every move was executed with perfect
case by Mr. Wilson and Miss Cassel T.
that perhaps the majority OF skater
gathered in the rink felt that with "A
little practice they could do the same.
But IT IS not un1il you sec tie swedish
champion performing alongside one OF
the average American followers OF inc
sport that the startling difference be
tween the American and continental
methods makes itself apparent.
Both arms and legs igure largely n
the Continental fancy skating, ana
there is never an ungainIy or )erKy
motion. All the different figures arc
comrlcted with a hucsse and nnish that
is lackiuc o. American or English style.
lrl ne Bio6a.. "ho took the ice WIKI
Mr. Wilson and Iiiss Cassol, sat resting
between dances 30 one OF the boxes.
watching the ether two rs they glided
about the ice. Wilson, he remarked. is
q student o. skating, and rs always
evolving new and intricate figures. \
dozen skhtin0 instructors OF the stand
irc Of tie St.cdlsn master. Mr. Brokaw
said. would do mach FOR the future OF
torrcCt n-Nt' .h@-4ih IH '"'' S"u"''
and .nc former American amateur
champion is deeply interested in the
sport.
Down at the Piping Rock Club. on
Long Island. lr. Broksw is seeking 20
have covered rink established this
winter. whore those who are DESTROYS
Of learning the Continental method Of
skating can do SO under the most ad-
yentageous conditions.
Mr. Wilson explained the difTcrcn,
figures as executed IN Europe. and said
that all are based on four simple move