Kit Klein
Encyclopedia
Catherine "Kit" Klein was an American
speed skater
.
and started competing on the local level. Later, Klein finished first in the 1500 metres event
and third in the 500 metres competition
at the 1932 Winter Olympics
of Lake Placid
, where speed skating for women was a demonstration sport
. She also participated in the 1000 metres event
but was eliminated in the heats.
She also won the 1,000 m race, as well as the overall bronze medal, at the Unofficial World Allround Championships in Oslo
, Norway in 1935. At the 1936 first official World Allround Speed Skating Championships for Women
in Stockholm
, Sweden, Klein won gold.
After the 1936 Winter Olympics
, Klein toured Europe before sailing home. During the voyage home Klein actually threw her skates overboard to mark her retirement from competitive skating. Towards the end 1936, she married Dr. Thomas "Tom" Outland of Sayre, Pennsylvania
and the couple settled down in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
. For a while, Klein toured around North America with the Ice Follies
skating show. After her husband's retirement in 1967, they moved to Holmes Beach, Florida
, where Catherine "Kit" Klein-Outland died in 1985 at the age of 75.
Klein-Outland was inducted in the National Speedskating Hall of Fame in 1964, and posthumously in both the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame and the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.
at the 1932 Winter Olympics
of Lake Placid
. The medals related to these unofficial and demonstration events are in italics.
In addition, Klein won the following championships, amongst others:
During the 1932 Winter Olympics, one of Klein's toughest opponents was Canadian
skater Jean Wilson
, who took gold on the 500 m and silver on the 1500 m. The following year, Jean Wilson died from a progressive muscular disease, only 23 years old. The Jean Wilson Memorial Trophy mentioned above was named after her.
Note that Klein's personal record on the 5000 m was not a world record because Verné Lesche
skated 10:15.3 at the same tournament.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
speed skater
Speed skating
Speed skating, or speedskating is a competitive form of ice skating in which the competitors race each other in traveling a certain distance on skates. Types of speed skating are long track speed skating, short track speed skating, and marathon speed skating...
.
Short biography
Kit Klein was born in Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
and started competing on the local level. Later, Klein finished first in the 1500 metres event
Speed skating at the 1932 Winter Olympics - Women's 1500 metres
The 1500 metres speed skating event for women was part of the demonstration sport programme of the 1932 Winter Olympics. The competition was held on Wednesday, February 10, 1932.Ten speed skaters from two nations competed....
and third in the 500 metres competition
Speed skating at the 1932 Winter Olympics - Women's 500 metres
The 500 metres speed skating event for women was part of the demonstration sport programme of the 1932 Winter Olympics. The competition was held on Monday, February 8, 1932.Ten speed skaters from two nations competed....
at the 1932 Winter Olympics
1932 Winter Olympics
The 1932 Winter Olympics, officially known as the III Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1932 in Lake Placid, New York, United States. The games opened on February 4 and closed on February 15. It would be the first winter olympics held in the United...
of Lake Placid
Lake Placid, New York
Lake Placid is a village in the Adirondack Mountains in Essex County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village had a population of 2,638....
, where speed skating for women was a demonstration sport
Demonstration sport
A demonstration sport is a sport which is played to promote itself, most commonly during the Olympic Games, but also at other sporting events.Demonstration sports were officially introduced in 1912 Summer Olympics, when Sweden decided to include glima, traditional Icelandic wrestling, in the...
. She also participated in the 1000 metres event
Speed skating at the 1932 Winter Olympics - Women's 1000 metres
The 1000 metres speed skating event for women was part of the demonstration sport programme of the 1932 Winter Olympics. The competition was held on Tuesday, February 9, 1932.Ten speed skaters from two nations competed....
but was eliminated in the heats.
She also won the 1,000 m race, as well as the overall bronze medal, at the Unofficial World Allround Championships in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Norway in 1935. At the 1936 first official World Allround Speed Skating Championships for Women
World Allround Speed Skating Championships for Women
The International Skating Union has organised the World Allround Speed Skating Championships for Women since 1936. Unofficial Championships were held in the years 1933-1935.-Distances used:...
in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, Sweden, Klein won gold.
After the 1936 Winter Olympics
1936 Winter Olympics
The 1936 Winter Olympics, officially known as the IV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1936 in the market town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria, Germany. Germany also hosted the Summer Olympics the same year in Berlin...
, Klein toured Europe before sailing home. During the voyage home Klein actually threw her skates overboard to mark her retirement from competitive skating. Towards the end 1936, she married Dr. Thomas "Tom" Outland of Sayre, Pennsylvania
Sayre, Pennsylvania
Sayre is the largest borough in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, northwest of Scranton. In the past, various iron products were made there. In 1900, 5,243 people lived there; in 1910, 6,426 people lived there, and in 1940, 7,569 persons made their homes in Sayre. The population was 5,813 at the 2000...
and the couple settled down in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
. For a while, Klein toured around North America with the Ice Follies
Ice Follies
Shipstads & Johnson Ice Follies was a touring ice show featuring elaborate production numbers, similar in concept to Ice Capades. It was founded in 1937 by Eddie Shipstad, Roy Shipstad, and Oscar Johnson, who also skated in the show. In later years, Olympic skaters such as Donald Jackson, Barbara...
skating show. After her husband's retirement in 1967, they moved to Holmes Beach, Florida
Holmes Beach, Florida
Holmes Beach is a city on Anna Maria Island in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The population was 4,966 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 5,100. It is part of the Bradenton–Sarasota–Venice Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, where Catherine "Kit" Klein-Outland died in 1985 at the age of 75.
Klein-Outland was inducted in the National Speedskating Hall of Fame in 1964, and posthumously in both the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame and the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.
Medals
An overview of medals won by Klein at important championships she participated in, listing the years in which she won each. Note that the World Allround Championships of 1935 were unofficial. Also note that speed skating for women was a demonstration sportDemonstration sport
A demonstration sport is a sport which is played to promote itself, most commonly during the Olympic Games, but also at other sporting events.Demonstration sports were officially introduced in 1912 Summer Olympics, when Sweden decided to include glima, traditional Icelandic wrestling, in the...
at the 1932 Winter Olympics
1932 Winter Olympics
The 1932 Winter Olympics, officially known as the III Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1932 in Lake Placid, New York, United States. The games opened on February 4 and closed on February 15. It would be the first winter olympics held in the United...
of Lake Placid
Lake Placid, New York
Lake Placid is a village in the Adirondack Mountains in Essex County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village had a population of 2,638....
. The medals related to these unofficial and demonstration events are in italics.
| Championships | Gold medal | Silver medal | Bronze medal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympics Speed skating at the Winter Olympics Speed skating has been featured as a sport in the Winter Olympics since the first winter games in 1924. Women's events were added to the Olympic program for the first time in 1960.-History:... |
1932 (1500 m) | – | 1932 (500 m) |
| World Allround World Allround Speed Skating Championships The World Allround Speed Skating Championships are a series of speed skating events held annually to determine the best allround speed skater of the world... |
1936 | – | 1935 |
In addition, Klein won the following championships, amongst others:
- 1930 BuffaloBuffalo, New YorkBuffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
City Championships - 1931 BuffaloBuffalo, New YorkBuffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
City Championships - 1933 National Championships, held in Oconomowoc, WisconsinOconomowoc, WisconsinOconomowoc is a city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. The name was derived from Coo-no-mo-wauk, the Potawatomi term for "waterfall." The population was 12,382 at the 2000 census. The city is partially adjacent to the Town of Oconomowoc and near the Village of Oconomowoc...
- 1933 North American Championships
- 1934 National Championships, held in Oconomowoc, WisconsinOconomowoc, WisconsinOconomowoc is a city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. The name was derived from Coo-no-mo-wauk, the Potawatomi term for "waterfall." The population was 12,382 at the 2000 census. The city is partially adjacent to the Town of Oconomowoc and near the Village of Oconomowoc...
- 1934 North American Indoor Championships, held in TorontoTorontoToronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada (the Jean Wilson Memorial Trophy) - 1935 National Indoor Championships, held in St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
- 1935 National Outdoor Championships, held in Oconomowoc, WisconsinOconomowoc, WisconsinOconomowoc is a city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. The name was derived from Coo-no-mo-wauk, the Potawatomi term for "waterfall." The population was 12,382 at the 2000 census. The city is partially adjacent to the Town of Oconomowoc and near the Village of Oconomowoc...
During the 1932 Winter Olympics, one of Klein's toughest opponents was Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
skater Jean Wilson
Jean Wilson (speed skater)
Jean Wilson was an Olympic Speed Skater.She was born on July 19, 1910 in Glasgow but her family emigrated to Canada when she was a child. She began to skate at the age of 15 and represented Canada at the 1932 Olympics where Women's speed skating was a demonstration event...
, who took gold on the 500 m and silver on the 1500 m. The following year, Jean Wilson died from a progressive muscular disease, only 23 years old. The Jean Wilson Memorial Trophy mentioned above was named after her.
World records
Over the course of her career, Klein skated two world records:| Event | Result | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 m | 1:42.3 | 1 March 1935 | Kongsberg Kongsberg is a town and municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. It is located at the southern end of the traditional region of Numedal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Kongsberg.... |
| 3000 m | 6:12.0 | 1 February 1936 | Stockholm Stockholm Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area... |
Personal records
To put these personal records in perspective, the WR column lists the official world records on the dates that Klein skated her personal records.| Event | Result | Date | Venue | WR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 m | 49.8 | 1 March 1935 | Kongsberg Kongsberg is a town and municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. It is located at the southern end of the traditional region of Numedal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Kongsberg.... |
49.3 |
| 1000 m | 1:42.3 | 1 March 1935 | Kongsberg Kongsberg is a town and municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. It is located at the southern end of the traditional region of Numedal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Kongsberg.... |
1:45.7 |
| 1500 m | 2:47.4 | 19 January 1936 | Oslo Oslo Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King... |
2:40.0 |
| 3000 m | 6:12.0 | 1 February 1936 | Stockholm Stockholm Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area... |
6:22.4 |
| 5000 m | 10:18.0 | 2 February 1936 | Stockholm Stockholm Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area... |
10:54.8 |
Note that Klein's personal record on the 5000 m was not a world record because Verné Lesche
Verné Lesche
Verné Lesche, married Vanberg, was a speed skater from Finland who twice won the World Allround Championships....
skated 10:15.3 at the same tournament.