Hall of Famer
Rhona Wurtele Gillis
Rhona Wurtele, together with her identical twin Rhoda, was born in St. Lambert, Quebec, on Jan. 21, 1922. The May 1944 issue of True Comics described them as “…two of the world’s best women skiers and probably the best all-around athletes Canada has ever produced.” Their skiing careers were essentially inseparable, as was their talent.
In 1942, both were invited to try out for the Canadian team, with Rhona finishing first and Rhoda second. The following week, they competed against the U.S. women’s team, again placing first and second in both downhill and combined events.
At their first international meet against the U.S. national team in Lake Placid, N.Y., the positions reversed, with Rhoda taking first and Rhona second. In February 1943, the twins competed for the Kate Smith International Women’s Trophy, where Rhona placed first and Rhoda third. This pattern repeated throughout their competitive careers.
Rhona Wurtele Gillis and her sister Rhoda left an indelible mark on Canadian women’s alpine skiing, paving a path of excellence that continues today.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
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1942: 1st place, slalom and combined, Ladies International Ski Meet, Mont Tremblant, Quebec
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1943: 2nd place, Taschereau downhill, Mont Tremblant, Quebec; 1st place, downhill and slalom, Ladies International Meet, Lake Placid, NY
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1944: 1st place, downhill and combined events, Kate Smith International, Lake Placid, NY, USA; 1st place, downhill and combined, Ladies International Meet, Winner, Colonial Airways Trophy, Ste Marguerite, Quebec
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1945: 1st place, combined, Alta Cup, Alta, Utah; 1st place, downhill, Ladies International Meet, Ste Marguerite, Quebec; 1st place, Teton Ski Derby, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
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1946: 1st place, downhill, slalom and combined events, Ontario Ladies Meet, Collingwood, Ontario; 1st place, slalom and combined events, USA National Championships, Franconia, New Hampshire; 1st place, giant slalom, Alta Cup Races, Alta, Utah; 1st place, downhill event, giant slalom and combined events, Alta Cup Races, Alta, Utah
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1947: 1st place, downhill and combined, United States Eastern National Championships, Pico Peak, Vermont, USA; 1st place, Taschereau downhill, Mont Tremblant, Quebec; 1st place, slalom and combined, Kate Smith International, Lake Placid, NY, USA; 1st place, downhill and combined, Dominion Championships, Canada (Holt-Wilson Trophy); 1st place, slalom and combined, Ladies International Meet, Mont Gabriel, Quebec; 1st place, Teton Derby Races, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
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1952: 1st place, giant slalom, United States National Championships, Alta, Utah; 1st place, Downhill event, Harriman Cup, Sun Valley, Idaho, USA
OTHER AWARDS
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1945: Federation Rose Bowl for “Canada’s Most Outstanding Woman Athlete” (awarded jointly with twin sister, Rhoda)
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1946: Thelma Springstead Rose Bowl for “Best Canadian Athlete” (awarded jointly with twin sister, Rhoda)
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1947: Lou Marsh Trophy as runner-up “Canada’s Most Outstanding Athlete” (awarded jointly with twin sister, Rhoda)
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1948: Member of the Canadian Ski Team at the V Olympic Winter Games, St Moritz, Switzerland
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1950: Member of the United States Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) team to the world championships, Aspen, Colorado, USA
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1953: Inducted into The Amateur Athletic Union of Canada Hall of Fame (inducted with twin sister, Rhoda)
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1969: Inducted into The United States Ski Hall of Fame (inducted with twin sister, Rhoda)
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1982: Inducted into The Canadian Ski Hall of Fame (formerly the Honour Roll of Canadian Skiing)
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1986: Inducted into the Laurentian Ski Hall of Fame (inducted with twin sister, Rhoda)
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1998: Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance (CSIA) award for 50-years dedicated service since 1943 (awarded also to twin sister, Rhoda)
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2001: Ski Canada Magazine Award for “Canadian Skiers of Distinction” (awarded also to twin sister, Rhoda)
- 2014: Awarded the Order of Canada on Sept 12, 2014 for her pioneering work for women’s sports; Recognized by Pantheon des Sports du Quebec.
Note: The information gathered in this biography was compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments. Copyright © Canadian Ski Hall of Fame & Museum. For personal and/or educational use only. All rights reserved.
Rhona Wurtele at 1948 St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games. CSHFM Collection.
Ms. Rhona Wurtele flashing through a gate during a slalom at Pico Peak in 1947. New York Times – Associated Press.
The Penguin Ski Club. Photo taken by Rhona Wurtele Gillis. [top row L to R]: Margaret Burden Brunneau, Jean Staniforth Bennett, Joan Tyler, Joey Abbey, Nora Newman, ?, Lorna Meagher Casgrain, Beverly Mace, Claire Fisher [bottom row L to R]: Peggy Orr, Lilly Elder Taylor, Rhoda Wurtele Eaves, Jane Bishop, Nancy Mckean, Dorothy Burden Reid, Joan Erzinger, Barbara Wickes Foster, Barbarra McTaggart & son Donald, Alice Johannsen, Peggy Johannsen, Margaret Russell, Betty Capon c. 1943. CSHFM Collection.
[Gene Gillis, third from left, standing next to Rhona Wurtele, on his left, his future wife]. Photo Team Summit Colorado.
1947 Canadian Ski Championships in Mt. Ste. Anne, QC. From left to right: Pierre Jalbert, Bert Irwin, Bill Irwin, Rhoda Wurtele, Emile Allais, Rhona Wurtele. Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR).
Members of Canada’s Olympic ski team at 1948 St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games [L to R]: Pierre Jalbert, Hector Sutherland, Rhoda Wurtele, Rhona Wurtele, Harvey Clifford, Wilber “Bill” Irwin, Albert “Bert” Irwin. Alpine Canada Alpin.
The Canadian Olympic ski team in Davos, Switzerland, at 1948 St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games. [L to R]: Harvey Clifford, Laurent Bernier, Hector Sutherland, Thomas Dennie, Rhona Wurtele, Louis Cochand (Manager), Morna Cochand (chaperon), Rhoda Wurtele, Albert “Bert” Irwin, Tom Mobraaten, Lucien Laferté, Pierre Jalbert, Wilber “Bill” Irwin. Alpine Canada Alpin.
Rhoda & Rhona Wurtele. Clint Melville P-244.
Rhoda & Rhona Wurtele. Canadian Pacific Railway.
1948 St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games [L to R]: Rhoda Wurtele, Barbara Ann Scott (figure skater), Rhona Wurtele, Gaby Pleau. CSHFM Collection.
Rhoda and Rhona Wurtele with coach Emile Allais training in Oslo, Norway prior to 1948 St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games. National Archives C.33780.
Rhoda & Rhona Wurtele at Sunshine, Banff, AB. – Mt. Assiniboine in background. c. 1946. Canadian Pacific Railway.
Bob Gilmour with Rhona and Rhoda Wurtele at 2007 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Valberg Imaging / Andrea Cardin.
Rhoda Wurtele, Shirley Firth, Sharon Firth, and Rhona Wurtele at 1990 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Documentary - The flying twin sisters : Rhona and Rhoda Wurtele
Rhona and Rhoda Wurtele were Canadian and US Alpine Ski champions in downhill and slalom in the 1940s. Now 87 years old, they are still active and full of energy. This is a short documentary on their passionate and intriguing lives. For more details about them and their adventures, read the book "No limits" that was written recently on their amazing story. Visit www.twinski.com.
Rhona Wurtele says 'Get out and move'
Rhona Wurtele talks about her life on the ski slopes with her twin sister Rhoda. Montreal's Wurtele twins were the most famous women athletes when they were growing up in the 1940s and they remain active today.
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