Vern Friebel
Builder (1990)
Figure Skating
Vern Friebel was born in Balcarres on March 9, 1908. Early in life Vern was interested in skating and was 42 when he joined the Saskatoon Figure Skating club. In 1956 he passed the preliminary and bronze dances and the 14-step in 1957. Vern then teamed up with Jean Norman in 1957 and competed at the Calgary Sectionals where they entered the Veterans American Waltz and Bronze events.
Along with Hugh Glynn and Bert Penfold of Regina, Vern was a founding member of the National Skating Test program in 1965. He assisted with this program first at the Saskatchewan level and then on the National level. He has produced many manuals and has conducted many skating clinics. He was in charge of the Saskatchewan male skaters that went to the first Canada Winter Games in Quebec City in 1967. When Saskatoon hosted the second Games in 1971, Vern was the chairman of the figure skating competition. Skating has been good to Vern Friebel but he in turn has been good for skating.
** Deceased