Born Wilhelm Schober on November 14, 1956, in Melbourne to Wilhelm (Bill) and Maria Schober, Billy was first introduced to the sport of figure skating in Austria, where his family lived for two years. His father, a former international competitor, influenced Billy’s early interest in skating. At eight years old, Billy strapped on skates and stepped onto a lake near Graz.
Education and Early Training
- School: Attended Caulfield Grammar from 1969 to 1974.
- Training: Developed his skills at the St Moritz Figure Skating Club in St Kilda and the Ringwood Figure Skating Club under the guidance of Italian coach Carlo Fassi.
Competitive Achievements
- Junior and National Titles:
- Australian Junior Men’s Champion: 1971-1972.
- Australian Men’s Champion: 1973-1976, 1978-1979.
- International Competitions:
- Blue Swords Competition (Germany): 5th place (1976-1977).
- Prague Skate Competition: 8th place.
- World Championships Placements:
- 25th in 1974.
- 21st in 1975.
- 16th in 1977.
- 21st in 1979.
- 17th in 1980.
- Olympics: Represented Australia at the 1976 Innsbruck Winter Olympics but withdrew due to an Achilles tendon injury after placing 20th in the compulsory figures.
Professional Career
Turning professional in 1980, Billy Schober achieved significant success:
- World Professional Figure Skating Championships:
- Bronze in 1980 and 1982.
- Silver in 1983.
- Golden Skate Competitions: Competed in five events between 1980 and 1987, achieving multiple top-ten finishes.
- World Professional Artistic Presentation (Jaca): Winner in 1988.
Billy performed in international ice shows, often incorporating magic tricks and mime into his routines, and skated alongside notable figures such as Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean. He was a popular performer at the Myer Music Bowl ice rink in Melbourne during the late 1980s.
Legacy and Coaching
- Billy Schober Artistic Trophy: Established in his honour in 1977.
- Coaching: Longtime president of the Victorian Professional Skating Association, Billy continues to coach at the Olympic Ice Skating Centre in Oakleigh.
Photo Credit: Enric Pla Research
