ISU

Joan Haanappel @Soenar Chamid, KNSB

It is with regret and sorrow that the ISU learned of the passing of multiple ISU European Championships medalist, four-time National Dutch Champion and two-time Olympian, Mrs. Joan Haanappel who passed away at 83 years old.

Mrs. Haanappel was born on November 13, 1940 and started her Skating career in 1949 in The Hague, The Netherlands. She soon became a successful Single Skater and debuted at age 12 at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 1953 in Dortmund, Germany where she ranked 14^th.

In 1955, Mrs. Haanappel won her first out of four consecutive National titles. Three years later, she claimed her first of three consecutive bronze medals at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Bratislava, then Czechoslovakia.

Mrs. Haanappel competed at six ISU European Championships and at five ISU World Championships. Her best result at the ISU World Championships was fifth place in her final appearance in 1960. Mrs. Haanappel participated in the Winter Olympic Games in 1956 and in 1960, ranking 13^th and 5^th respectively.

Following her retirement from competitive Figure Skating in 1960, Mrs. Haanappel performed in the Vienna Ice Revue and Holiday on Ice.

Mrs. Haanappel remained dedicated to Figure Skating her whole life. When her career as a performer came to a close, she worked as a TV presenter and commentator and commentated Figure Skating competitions for many years on Eurosport and other channels.

Mrs. Haanappel founded the Stichting Kunstrijden Nederland (SKN -  Netherlands Figure Skating Foundation) in 2008 to support the development of young Figure Skating talents in her country. Also thanks to this effort, Lindsay van Zundert became the first Figure Skater to represent the Netherlands at the Olympic Winter Games in 46 years when she competed in Beijing in 2022.

Together with her long-time friend, Mrs. Sjoukje Dijkstra (NED), the 1964 Olympic Champion,

Mrs. Haanappel became a legend of Dutch Figure Skating and contributed significantly to the development of the sport in the country and beyond.

In November 2008, Mrs. Haanappel was appointed a knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau in recognition of her achievements.

Mrs. Haanappel lived with her husband near Brussels, Belgium. She passed away on February 23, 2024.

Mrs. Haanappel will be remembered for her life-long dedication to and love for Figure Skating, her expertise and her kindness.

The ISU pays tribute to Mrs. Haanappel and will remember her with affection.