Linda Bernard

Suffering from two dislocated kneecaps at the age of 13, it was suggested Linda Bernard take up a sport - but not swimming or athletics, so she chose figure skating. Her knee problems later resolved and, as she showed an aptitude for the sport, it was suggested she tried pairs skating, and in 1966 she teamed up with Ray Wilson. They immediately enjoyed success by winning the Southern Championships. Bernard was just 15 at the time.

Bernard and Wilson went on to capture the national title three times between 1967-69. They also competed at the 1968 Grenoble Olympics, the 1969 World Figure Skating Championships, and the European Championships three times between 1967-69. Their best finish was 11th at the 1969 Europeans.

Bernard turned professional in 1970 and, along with Wilson, won the professional pairs world title. They also appeared in ice shows, but she was forced to retire through a back injury in 1973 after a brief spell coaching in South Africa. She married David Pearce shortly afterwards.