Maribel Yerxa Vinson Owen (née Vinson; October 12, 1911 – February 15, 1961) was a renowned American figure skater and coach. She achieved remarkable success in both ladies' singles and pair skating, earning the 1932 Olympic bronze medal and becoming a nine-time U.S. national champion in singles skating. Vinson Owen's talent also extended to pair skating, where she secured multiple national and international titles. Notably, she made history as the first female sportswriter at The New York Times while continuing to excel in her skating career.Vinson Owen's personal life was marked by a deep connection to figure skating, as both of her parents were figure skaters. She received her education at Radcliffe College and pursued her passion for ice skating alongside her studies. In 1938, she married Canadian skater Guy Owen and had two daughters, Maribel Yerxa Owen and Laurence Rochon Owen. However, their marriage faced challenges, ultimately leading to divorce in 1949.Following her competitive career, Vinson Owen transitioned to coaching and played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of prominent skaters such as Tenley Albright and Frank Carroll. Despite her coaching successes, her assertive and demanding coaching style garnered mixed reactions from her students.Tragically, Vinson Owen's life was cut short in 1961 when she, along with her two daughters, lost their lives in the Sabena Flight