Michael Booker

Michael Booker finished third in the British Junior Figure Skating Championships in 1951 at the age of 13, and in December 1952 won the first of six consecutive senior British titles at just 15 years 8 months. Having completed his National Service in the Royal Air Force (RAF), Booker was selected for the 1956 Olympics and finished a creditable sixth. Between 1953-58 Booker competed is six World and six European Championships. His best finish in the Worlds was fifth place in 1955, and in the Europeans he won silver in both 1955 and 1956.

After his competitive skating days, Booker lived and worked in America where he became a successful businessman. He met Donald Trump in the 1980s and worked with him for the best part of a decade and was invited by Trump to revive the Wollman Ice Rink in New York’s Central Park. Booker was also vice-president of a division of the Ice Capades travelling entertainment show.

Booker was also involved with the Ice Sports Industry (ISI), and served as their president from 1979-85 and during that time the World Recreational Team Championships was launched with the winners receiving the Michael Booker Trophy each year. Booker was named ISI Man of the Year in 1984. He was also elected into the ISI Ice Skating Hall of Fame in 1991 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award two years later.

After his time in the USA, Booker returned to England and then shared his time between there and the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, where he was president (2008-10) of the long-established English-Speaking Residents’ Association (ESRA).