Jaroslav Votruba

Place: Plzeň

Born: 1939

Biography:

Jaroslav Votruba is a Czech former pair skater who competed for Czechoslovakia. He was born on April 1, 1939, in Plzeň, Czech Republic. Votruba teamed up with Milada Kubíková by the 1958-59 season. Together, they placed 7th at the 1962 European Championships in Geneva, Switzerland, and 5th at the 1962 World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Kubíková/Votruba had their best season in 1962-63, placing 5th at the 1963 European Championships in Budapest, Hungary, and the 1963 World Championships in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. They finished 12th at the 1964 European Championships in Grenoble, France, and 10th at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. Czechoslovak authorities destroyed footage of Kubíková/Votruba's performances following her defection, although Votruba stayed. The pair was named one of Plzeň's ten 'Sport Stars of the 20th Century' at a gala on February 17, 2001.