Lela Brooks Potter

Lela Brooks, a member of the Old Orchard Skating Club in Toronto, was the best female speed skater in the world before in the second half of the 1920s, and also in the beginning of the 1930s. She skated a total of 17 World Records, but all of them were skated on distances in imperial measures. Six of these World Records were skated in 1925, when she was only 17 years old.

The only time she skated metric distances was during the 1932 Olympic Winter Games, when she skated in demonstration events. In Lake Placid, she won all of her heats, but placed no higher than 4th in any of the three finals. Her time in the 1500 m heats, 2.54,0, was more than 15 seconds under the official World Record, but the time wasn't recognised since the race was skated under the North American mass start rules.

Married Lela Brooks Potter, she retired in 1935.

JH, 10 May 2002