Karel Vosátka

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.

Karel Vosátka
Born(1929-11-20)November 20, 1929
Plzeň
Died27 May 2022(2022-05-27) (aged 92)
Quebec, Canada
Figure skating career
CountryCzechoslovakia
PartnerBlažena Knittlová, Věra Vajsábelová, Hana Dvořáková
Medal record
Representing  Czechoslovakia
Figure skating: Pairs
European Championships
Silver medal – second place1948 PraguePairs

Personal life

Vosátka was born on November 20, 1929, in Plzeň.[1] He married Romanian figure skater Cristina Patraulea in 1963 and emigrated to Canada in 1975.[2] Vosátka has coached in Romania (1961–64); Gottwaldov (Zlín), Czechoslovakia; Switzerland (1968–1974); France (1974–1975), and Montreal, Quebec, Canada.[2] 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.[3]

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.[4] 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.[2]

Results

With Knittlová
International
Event 1948 1950 1952 1953
Winter OlympicsWD
World Championships9th
European Championships2nd
National
Czechoslovak Champ.2nd2nd2nd
WD = Withdrew

With Vajsábelová
National
Event 1953
Czechoslovak Champ.2nd

With Dvořáková
International
Event 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961
European Championships9th6th6th5th6th
National
Czechoslovak Champ.2nd2nd1st1st1st

References
  1. "Karel Vosátka". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on January 17, 2017.
  2. "Karel Vosátka (1929)". vosatkovi.cz. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  3. "Respect overdue for 'Mr. V,' inventor of figure skating's short program". montrealgazette.com/. 9 July 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  4. "Karel Vosátka". Czech Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 17 January 2017.
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