Bernard Ford

Bernard Ford, MBE, (27 September 1947 – 5 April 2023) was an English ice dancer. With partner Diane Towler, he was a four-time (1966–1969) World, European, and British champion. He was also a World Professional ice dancing champion. He later became a coach and choreographer.

For the American football player, see Bernard Ford (American football).

Bernard Ford
Ford in 1966
Born27 September 1947
Birmingham, England
Died5 April 2023(2023-04-05) (aged 75)[1]
Figure skating career
Country Great Britain
Medal record
Figure skating
Ice dancing
Representing  Great Britain
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1969 Colorado SpringsIce dancing
Gold medal – first place 1968 GenevaIce dancing
Gold medal – first place 1967 ViennaIce dancing
Gold medal – first place 1966 DavosIce dancing
European Championships
Gold medal – first place1969 Garmisch-PartenkirchenIce dancing
Gold medal – first place1968 VästeråsIce dancing
Gold medal – first place1967 LjubljanaIce dancing
Gold medal – first place1966 BratislavaIce dancing

Skating career

Ford was born in Birmingham. He competed with Diane Towler. They were coached by Gladys Hogg in London, England at Queens Ice Dance Club.[2] Towler / Ford debuted at the World Championships in 1964, finishing 13th. In 1965, they finished just off the podium in 4th. Towler / Ford won gold at the 1966 European Championships and went on to win their first World title. They would win the World and European titles for four consecutive seasons. At the 1968 Olympics, Towler / Ford skated in a demonstration event for ice dancing, winning the gold medal. Ice dancing became an official part of the Winter Olympics in 1976. The achievements of Towler and Ford earned them the appointment of Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Queen Elizabeth II, as well as a spot in the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1993.

Coaching career

Ford immigrated to Ontario, Canada in 1971 and coached numerous ice dance teams to national titles and international acclaim, most notably 1986 World bronze medalists Tracy Wilson / Rob McCall. His coaching success with Wilson / McCall earned him the Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award[3] and the Longines-Wittnauer Coaching Excellence Award.

In 1986, Ford co-founded the York Region Skating Academy (YRSA) in Richmond Hill, Ontario. In 1989 at the YRSA, Ford invented the Cha-Cha Congelado, with assistance from coach Kelly Johnson and ice dance team Laurie Palmer / Steven Belanger. The Cha-Cha Congelado became an International Skating Union pattern dance. In 1999 the Town of Richmond Hill recognised Ford with an induction into the Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame. In 1994, Ford took a coaching position in Seattle, Washington, where he produced national champions and international competitors as well as coaching ice dance teams from Australia and Japan to World Championship competition.

Ford returned to Canada in 2003 and continued to coach ice dance teams to the national and international level. Over the years he had acted as a consultant to Skate Canada, United States Figure Skating, Professional Skaters Association and the ISU ice dance technical committee. He was an NCCP coaching course facilitator and conducted officials and coach teaching and training seminars for national sport organisations across the world. In January 2007, Skate Canada inducted Ford into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame.[4]

Personal life

Ford was educated at the King Edward VI Grammar School in Aston, Birmingham. Ford resided in Calgary, Alberta.

Results

(with Diane Towler)

Event 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69
World Championships13th4th1st1st1st1st
European Championships4th1st1st1st1st
British Nationals3rd1st1st1st1st

References
  1. Bernard Ford's obituary
  2. "Champions". Queens Ice Dance Club. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  3. "Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Awards". Coaching Association of Canada. Archived from the original on 12 February 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  4. "Hall of Fame: Honoured Members". Skate Canada. Archived from the original on 7 June 2008. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
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