Want to learn more about figure skating history? You are in the right place!

Created in 2013, Skate Guard is a blog that focuses on overlooked and underappreciated areas of the history of figure skating, whether that means a topic completely unknown to most readers or a new look at a well-known skater, time period, or event. There's plenty to explore, so pour yourself a cup of coffee and get lost in the fascinating and fabulous history of everyone's favourite winter sport!

Barbara Ann Scott: Queen of the Ice

 

As the first Canadian woman to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympic Games, Barbara Ann Scott transcended her sport, becoming a symbol of hope and inspiration. In Canada, she became a cultural icon, rivaling the most celebrated stars of Hollywood's Golden Age. Her stunning victory at the 1948 Olympics uplifted a nation grappling with the aftermath of World War II, inspiring thousands of Canadians to dream big and strive for excellence in their own lives. 

Barbara Ann Scott: Queen of the Ice is a significant new biography that will delight knowledgeable and passionate fans of figure skating. This well-researched narrative presents a revealing portrait of a Canadian figure skating legend, offering new insights and information about Scott's career that will both surprise and enlighten readers.




"Canadian figure skating is rich with history that must be preserved. Barbara Ann Scott was our first Queen of the Ice and there's no one better than Ryan to bring her magnificent legacy to life." - Sandra Bezic, Emmy Award winning choreographer, television commentator (CBC, NBC, CBS), Olympian and 5-time Canadian Pairs Skating Champion

"Barbara Ann Scott paved the way for Canadian skating excellence. Figure skating fans will love diving into her illustrious life and career." - Jackie Wong, Rocker Skating

"Ryan Stevens has written a most interesting book about an icon of Canadian sport... Beautifully illustrated and based on almost exhaustive research. I highly enjoyed it." - Ruud Paauw, International Society of Olympic Historians

"Ryan Stevens pays meticulous attention to detail in this biography of Barbara Ann Scott and brings it to life with quotes and photographs. As a Canadian hero and international icon, Barbara Ann Scott's mindblowing plethora of historic firsts remains nothing short of extraordinary." - Anything GOEs

Attend the Virtual Book Launch on March 18, 2025!


"Barbara Ann Scott: Queen of the Ice" will be released in paperback, hardcover, large print, eBook and audiobook editions in March 2025. The book is available for pre-order through the retailers below.

Paperback





Also Available From:

Adlibris (Finland/Sweden/Norway), Akademibokhandeln (Sweden), Akateeminen Kirjakauppa (Finland), Bokus (Finland/Sweden), Bol.de (Germany), Blackwell's (UK), Book City (Canada), Bookmark (Canada), Books-A-Million (United States), Books.com.tw (Taiwan), Books Inc. (United States), Books Kinokuniya (Japan), Bookshop.org (United States), Booktopia (Australia), Bücherwurm (Austria/Germany/Liechtenstein/Switzerland), Dick Smith (Australia), Dussmann - Das Kulturkaufhaus (Germany), Fishpond (Australia), Foyles (UK), Hatchards (UK), Hive (UK), Hudson Booksellers (United States), Hugendubel (Germany), Kogan (Australia), Librarie Galignani (France), McNally Robinson (Canada), Mighty Ape (New Zealand), OpenTrolley (Singapore), Orell Füssli (Switzerland), Powell's City of Books (United States), Saxo (Denmark), Schuler Books (United States), The Nile (Australia), Thriftbooks (United States), Walmart (United States)

Prefer to shop local? Ask your favourite independent bookseller to stock the book. 

Hardcover




Also Available From:

Adlibris (Finland/Sweden/Norway), Akademibokhandeln (Sweden), Bokus (Finland/Sweden), Book City (Canada), Books-A Million (United States), Books.com.tw (Taiwan), Books Inc. (United States), Books Kinokuniya (Japan), Bookshop.org (United States), Booktopia (Australia), Fishpond (Australia), McNally Robinson (Canada), Saxo (Denmark), Thriftbooks (United States)

Prefer to shop local? Ask your favourite independent bookseller to stock the book. 

eBook








Also Available From:

Adlibris (Finland/Sweden/Norway), Bol.com (Belgium/Netherlands), Bol.de (Germany), Bücher (Germany), Bücherwurm (Austria/Germany/Liechtenstein/Switzerland), Casa del Libro (Spain), Club (Belgium), Decitre (France), eBook.de (Germany), FNAC (France), Furet du Nord (France), Hugendubel (Germany), LaFetrinelli (Italy), Librería Porrúa (Mexico), Librerías Gandhi (Mexico), Orell Füssli (Switzerland), Osiander (Germany), Smashwords (United States), Standaard Boekhandel (Belgium), Thalia (Germany), Vivlio (France)

Audiobook*




Also Available From:


*Please note: the audiobook version is digitally narrated. 

Subscription Services


Library and Retail Distribution

ALS Library Services (Australia), Baker & Taylor, Bibliotheca, BorrowBox, Browns Books (UK), Gardners (UK), Library Bound (Canada), Odilo, OverDrive (Libby), Peter Pal (Australia), Peters (UK), Wheelers (New Zealand), Whitehots (Canada)

If you experience any difficulty with any of these ordering links, simply search the book's name on the bookseller of your choice's website. If you have any ordering or delivery issues, please reach out to the retailer directly for assistance. 


Sounds of The Queen of the Ice Spotify playlist of music Barbara Ann Scott skated to


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