Hedy Stenuf Byram (July 18, 1922 – November 7, 2010) was an Austrian figure skater who later competed for France and the United States. Representing the United States, she became a two-time World medalist.
Life and career Stenuf was born in Vienna with the name Hedwig Stenuf. Her father Joseph Stenuf moved to Rochester where he worked as an accountant before he was joined by Stenuf, her mother Caroline and younger brother Theodore in 1937.
She first became known in the United States in 1934, when as an eleven-year-old she accompanied the Austrian champion Karl Schäfer on an exhibition tour in North America. The following season, she began appearing at major international competitions, placing 7th at the 1935 European Championships and fourth at the 1935 World Championships, which were held in her hometown of Vienna. She was considered a strong challenger to reigning champion Sonja Henie.
At the 1936 Winter Olympics, Stenuf finished sixth in the singles competition.
Later in 1937, she switched to competing for France, and then in 1938, to the United States. She won bronze and silver medals at the World Championships in 1938 and 1939, respectively. In addition to her accomplishments in single skating, she also competed in pair skating with partner Skippy Baxter; the pair won silver at the 1940 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
In 1943 Stenuf married Dixon Beale Perry-Smith (1922–1989), the third son of Oliver Perry-Smith. At her death she went by the name Hedy Stenuf Byram.
Competitive highlights
Ladies' singles International Event 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 Winter Olympics 6th1 World Championships 4th1 4th2 3rd3 2nd3 European Championships 7th1 6th1 4th2 National U.S. Championships 2nd Austrian Championships 3rd 2nd Representing 1 Austria, 2 France, 3 the United States
Pairs with Baxter National Event 1940 U.S. Championships 2nd
References
External links
Skatabase U.S. Figure Skating media guide