In February of 1961, the 18 members of the U.S. Figure Skating team–along with their families, friends and coaches–made their way to the World Championships in Prague. Sadly they never arrived. Their plane crashed in Belgium, killing the entire team and all other passengers on board. In honor of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the tragedy, the U.S. Figure Skating Association will be releasing the movie Rise. The film’s website explains: “Rise will document the sport’s growth in popularity over the years and feature various luminaries of American figure skating. Proceeds from Rise will be used to further the mission of the U.S. Figure Skating Memorial Fund, which was established on Feb. 23, 1961, as a living legacy to those who lost their lives.” Beloved skaters Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill, Scott Hamilton and Brian Boitano are listed as the movie’s narrators. Clear your schedules now, because Rise will be in theaters nationwide for one night only, on February 17, 2011!
For more info, visit http://www.rise1961.com
photo courtesy of gettyimages.com
