Debi Thomas is an American former figure skater and physician…..who is the 1986 World Champion….the 1988 Olympic bronze medalist…..and a two-time U.S. national champion. Her rivalry with East Germany’s Katarina Witt at the 1988 Calgary Olympics was known as the Battle of the Carmens….as both women skated their long programs to the music of Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen.
At age 10, Thomas was introduced to Scottish skating coach Alex McGowan. In 1983, she began to represent the Los Angeles Figure Skating Club…..which launched her career….as McGowan would remain her coach until she retired from amateur competition at age 21. This interview of McGowan just prior to her skating at the world championship women’s finals is our gift the “The Scotsman” that stuck with Debi throughout her career….for she obviously had great trust in this man……and him in her…..that is the beauty of Coach and athlete.
