Barbara Underhill & Paul Martini

Class of 1997: Athlete

1984 World Pair Champions, 1983 World’s bronze medallists, 1979 to 1983 five time Canadian Pair Champions, 1978 Junior Canadian Pair Champions, and winners of numerous international competitions, Barbara Underhill and Paul Martini have created magic on ice since they began skating together in 1977. Partners since they were 13 and 15 years old respectively, their love of skating and quality of relating with one another, emotionally and choreographically have made them amongst the best pairs skaters that have ever lived.

Dramatic death spirals, backward upside-down lifts, spectacular throws and innovations have highlighted their amateur performances. After a disappointing Olympics in Sarajevo, Barbara and Paul seriously contemplated retiring from skating before World’s. However, advised by their friend Brian Orser to put on her old skate boots, Barbara and Paul were propelled onto the ice, onto the podium and into history. Their flawless program is considered one of the great Canadian sporting moments and gave Canada a national thrill. Barbara and Paul were inducted into the Canadian Olympic Association Hall of Fame in 1985 and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.