Skaters
Pairs
Tai Babilonia
Born:
September 22, 1959
Level:
Senior
Randy Gardner
Born:
December 2, 1957
Level:
Senior
Coach:
John Nicks, Mabel Fairbanks
Babilonia and Gardner began skating together when Babilonia was only 8 years old and Gardner was 10. Their coach was John Nicks. The pair were five-time gold medalists at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and won the gold medal at the 1979 World Figure Skating Championships, making them just the second U.S. pairs team to win a World title. They were medal favorites at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games but were forced to withdraw due to an injury to Gardner.
Babilonia was the first figure skater of partial African American descent to win U.S. and World titles.
Babilonia was the first figure skater of partial African American descent to win U.S. and World titles.
- 1980 - U.S. Championships - 1st
1979 - World Championships - 1st
1979 - U.S. Championships - 1st
1978 - World Championships - 3rd
1978 - U.S. Championships - 1st
1977 - World Championships - 3rd
1977 - U.S. Championships - 1st
1976 - World Championships - 5th
1976 - Olympic Winter Games - 5th
1976 - U.S. Championships - 1st
1975 - World Championships - 10th
1975 - U.S. Championships - 2nd
1974 - World Championships - 10th
1974 - U.S. Championships - 2nd
