Like many of Canada’s skating idols, Tracey Wainman’s skating story began in small-town Ontario.

Living in Kirkland Lake in Northern Ontario, the young family wasn’t particularly sports minded but Tracey’s Mom, Gaye, did enjoy skating at the recreational level. “There wasn’t a lot of money,” Tracey explains, “so my Mom couldn’t take lessons, but she loved skating and basically taught herself.”

Tracey Wainman. Photo credit: canadiansportshistory.ca

Tracey was still a toddler when her Dad, Dwight, was accepted into a program at the University of Toronto. That meant the family had to pack their bags and move south to the big city into the married-students’ residence at U of T and eventually into a duplex about a 10-minute walk from the famed Lakeshore Arena.

“I was an extremely active child,” laughs Tracey. “And by the time I was 5, my Mom had enrolled me in figure skating for lessons at Lakeshore Figure Skating Club.

“I loved the feel of the ice right away! And when I learned to glide and understood the speed I could generate … in a way that was so different from walking or running … I was just sold on it!”

Progress came quickly for Tracey and by the age of 6 she had begun competing in small regional events. “I remember I already had an Axel … but in Sarnia at my first competition I fell on it. I was so upset my parents had to console me by reminding me I’d won a ribbon.”

More annual competitions … in places like North Bay and Ottawa … became part of Tracey’s regular routine but it was in Dance where she made her first appearance at Sectionals at age 8 with Pre-Novice partner Dale Thompson. “We won a silver medal!”

Tracey’s solo skills also continued to expand with a mix of competitive results. One of life’s early lessons, this one from Sectionals, stands out. “At Pre Novice Ladies, remember back before modern technology, the results were hand computed and would be posted on a board,” Tracey recalls. “The posting went up … and I won!

I was the gold medalist … and then someone found a mistake.”

An accounting error had been made and instead of winning, Tracey fell to second place. “Really, at first I would have been happy with the silver medal … but it is what it is … and I did have the gold for over an hour!”

That was just the beginning for Tracey and never a setback, thanks to the early teaching of coaches like Judy Williams and Wally Diestelmeyer who laid the foundation for her love and enjoyment of the sport, two things that she would cling to over the course of her career.

Tracey Wainman. Photo credit: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame

By age 10 Tracey was 4^th at Novice Canadians and named to the Junior World team.

“I was so fortunate to have the team’s support and friendship. My parents couldn’t afford the trip … I didn’t even have my own coach there … it was just me,” says Tracey. “That being said, the team took really good care of me … I was like their little mascot. Barbara Graham was the team leader … Brian Orser, Barb Underhill, Paul Martini, Dennis Coy, Kelly Johnson, Kris Barber … I had a lot of parents at that event!”

Some of those relationships are still thriving today. “That’s how far back it goes,” offers Tracey. “Brian and I are still close … you can imagine our relationship. Me being that young and him taking care of me, like an older brother.

“It’s amazing in skating what relationships you make and over the years how you keep them. They’re extremely special.”

After Junior Worlds, big changes were in the air for Tracey.

“To get enough ice time, my family had to take me all over the city,” Tracey remembers. “Then, one day when I was at the Cricket Club, I watched Ellen Burka with her students, and I instantly knew where I wanted to be.”

Tracey’s parents had to be convinced. “I just kept asking,” says Tracey. “I wanted to be in one place … I wanted that special push … and when I saw the way Mrs. Burka taught, I connected with it.”

Skipping Juniors and going right to Seniors was another huge step for Tracey. “It gave me the opportunity to compete against the best but without the burden of high expectations,” says Tracey. But after going to Worlds, she started to notice the pressure building. Although she won Canadians in ’81, things were starting to fall apart.

Tracey in Beijing. Photo credit: Tracey Wainman on Instagram.

“I was really struggling. I had a mental block about my jumps … somewhere deep in my subconscious … you don’t know why … because you’re trying so hard. Everyone’s looking at you through a magnifying glass … and suddenly, at a certain age, you become aware of it. Pre-puberty, I never even noticed.”

The next two years at Canadians first in Brandon where Tracey lost her title finishing third and the following year in Montreal where she was off the podium were like a nightmare for Tracey. “Everything was gone,” she remembers feeling. “Whoa! Everything can be taken away so fast!”

In the aftermath, Tracey hit rock bottom and stopped skating for a year. But one day she realized she missed it.

“I went back to Mrs. Burka and told her I wasn’t finished … that I didn’t want to end my career with the loss in Montreal. But I felt I had to start from scratch.”

It would take Tracey 5 more years of determination, some disappointment and a lot of dedication to turn the naysayers back into believers when she regained her national title in 1986.

“It wasn’t so much about getting my title back … it was about being proud of my performance. It took so much hard work … learning through times of growth and mind growth to come to terms with it. I was totally committed to the journey.”

Tracey’s experience has helped her become a better coach and has sharpened her ability to recognize when one of her students is facing a similar challenge.

In the end, Tracey wants her skaters to have a positive experience with skating that will give them a positive experience throughout life.

“Every one of my skaters wants to achieve something. If I see them struggling, I can share my experience and offer some suggestions. Whether it’s talking to a sports psychologist, changing the way they train or setting different goals, the path may not be easy, but it’s worth taking.

Tracey Wainman. Photo credit: York Region Skating Centre.