Born in Zurich, Biellmann won her first international championship in Belgium at age 8; and, at age 11, she won the Swiss Junior Figure Skating Championships.[2] At age 14, she competed at the 1977 European Championships and placed second in the Free Skate portion of the competition.
At the age of 15, she was the first female skater to land the triple Lutz jump in competition, which she performed for the first time at the 1978 European Championships.[3] At the same event, she became the first woman to receive a 6.0 in Technical Merit, receiving the score from British judge Pauline Borrajo.[3] She came in 12th place in compulsory figures, first in the free skate, and finished in fourth place overall.[3] She won the bronze medal at the 1979 European Championships.[4]
The Biellmann spin was named after her;[5] she popularized and perfected the spin, but did not invent it. It was present in skating at least since the 1965 European Championships when Tamara Moskvina performed it. It remains the only figure skating spin to be officially named after a person in ISU regulations.
According to figure skating historian James R. Hines, Biellmann's forte was the more athletic aspects of the free skating program, including "outstanding jumps and fast spins".[4] Biellmann retired from amateur competition at age 18, shortly after her win at the 1981 World Championships.
Professional career
Biellmann performing the Biellmann spin in 2011Biellmann performing in the gala at the 2011 European Championships
Biellmann remains involved in the international figure skating community as a participant in both professional shows, including tours with Holiday on Ice, and competitions.[4] She participated in Pro7 Season 1, partnered with television presenter Pierre Geisensetter, and in Season 2, partnered with actor Patrick Bach.
She won the Challenge of Champions, regarded as the most important professional event, five times. In 2014, Biellmann was inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame.[6]
