Babilonia and Gardner began skating together at eight and ten years old when skating coach Mabel Fairbanks needed a young pair team for a skating show in Culver City, California.[2] They began training with John Nicks in 1971. They won the gold medal as juniors at their first U.S. Nationals in 1973 and as seniors, they came in second place in 1974 and 1975. The pair became five-time U.S. National champions, between 1978 and 1980, and won the gold medal at the 1979 World Championships.[3][4][5] They were medal favorites at the 1980 Winter Olympics but were forced to withdraw due to an injury to Gardner, which ended their competitive careers.[1][2][6][5]
Babilonia was the first multi racial figure skater to compete for the United States at an Olympics and win a World Title. Her mother is African American and is part Filipino and Hopi Indian on her father's side.[1][7]
Babilonia and Gardner also appeared on an episode of Hart to Hart "Silent Dance" (season 5 episode 16) in 1984.
Babilonia and Gardner also appeared in an episode of Diagnosis Murder “Murder on Thin Ice” (season 4 episode 3).
Personal life
Babilonia was inspired at the age of six to begin ice skating after watching Peggy Fleming on television. Babilonia has a son named Scout with former husband Cary Butler.[9] She was engaged in 2005 to actor and comedian David Brenner, but they never married before their breakup in 2011.
