Rocky Mountain Figure Skating Club

Penny MacKenzie

 

 

 

Primary Phone: (303) 465-9759

Cell Phone: (303) 885-0286

Email Address: Click here to e-mail Penny MacKenzie

• Rocky Mountain Figure Skating Club and member of PSA

• Silver medallist in Figures, Free Style and Ice Dancing

• Master rated in Sports Science, Medicine and Biomechanics

• Master rated in Free Style. Rated in Field Moves

 

I was born and raised in South Africa. I began skating after watching an exhibition at an ice hockey match. However, I had to overcome two major medical obstacles - (going blind in my one eye and the removal of a malignant cancerous growth from behind my knee) - before my parents would let me set foot on any ice surface. I am a silver medallist in figures, free style and ice dancing. (Due to very unfortunate circumstances I was never able to complete my gold medal tests, even though I was working on them). I entered and won many competitions in South Africa and skated the lead in several ice shows, both as a soloist and a pair skater. In 1960 I was chosen to represent South Africa at the Olympic Winter Games in Squaw Valley, California. Over the years I have produced many South African Champions including my own daughter Delene, who I taught until she left for the United States in 1991. Delene is a triple gold medlalist in figures, free style and pair skating. She went on to become one of the top Adagio Pair Skaters in Ice Capades, Disney on Ice, Magic on Ice and Holiday on Ice (Europe) where she is currently the Show Director for one of their divisions.

• 1972: I accompanied a student to an International Competition in Megeve, France.

• 1975: I was awarded the South African Sports Merit Award for the top coach in the country.
• 1990: After years of political isolation I was the first coach to take a student to the Junior World Championships in Hull, Canada.
• 1993: I was the Team manager for the South African Team at the Junior Worlds in Colorado Springs.
• 1993: Arrived in the United States.
• 2003: Became a United States Citizen.

 

What do you like best about coaching:  The challenge of bringing out the best in each skater, no matter what level. I believe everyone has a hidden 'something' - it is a challenge to find it. It is also a challenge to beat the competition. The artistic side of ice-skating is a passion, which I try to develop in all of my skaters. 

 

What do you want skaters to know about you:  My name is Marion MacKenzie, but my nickname is "Penny" and has been since the day I was born.  I am honest and take my coaching very seriously and that to the best of my ability, I will continue to impart the knowledge and experience I have gained over a lifetime of skating.