Set of 5: 1992 Winter Olympics Series

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29 RLANDO JAN 11 1992 COC 32862 FL 29 ORLANDO FL JAN 11 1992 32862 apgfely 29 RLANDO JAN 11 1992 32862 FL 29 SRLANDO FL JAN 11 1992 12 32862 wwww 55 55 29 ALANDO FL JAN 11 1992 32862

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WINTER OLYMPICS: FIGURE SKATING First Day of Issue: January 11, 1992 First Issue Location: Orlando, Florida One mark of a sensational talent in figure skating is the ability to make the skill look easy and effortless. Of course, anyone who has been on the ice knows better. The Olympic figure skater is indeed master of a unique athletic form – the ability to gracefully dance and execute precisely planned movements on ice to the rhythm of music. It was in 1908 at the London Games that figure skating first joined the Olympics. The events then were very much like those featured today — singles for men and women, pairs competitions and a third event much like the modern free style. In 1948, America won its first gold medal in figure skating and since that time Americans have proudly entered champion after cham- pion. No American can ever forget Peggy Fleming who in 1968 enchanted the world with her stellar performance. And, more recent American Olympic skaters like Dor- othy Hamill, Scott Hamilton and others have dazzled spectators with their performances on ice, skating their way to victory. No. 92-02 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection ©1992 Fleetwood®, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Tom McNeely Fleetwood WINTER OLYMPICS: SKIING First Day of Issue: January 11, 1992 First Issue Location: Orlando, Florida Spectators gaze upward where high on the mountain a tiny figure is expertly weaving through flag-marked gates, speeding toward the valley and the finish line. An Olym- pic slalom skier, who is one of the fastest in the world, has come to challenge competitors at the Winter Games. This athlete is representative of all American skiers, fine sportsmen like Phil and Steve Mahre, who finished one- two in the 1984 Sarajevo Games. The course before the skier is perilous, full of hairpin turns, and laid out in such a manner as to test skill to its limit. Its 60 to 70 curves are designed to lure the skier into speedy shortcuts which often result in time-consuming falls and lost races. By official rule, the slalom race must be held on hard snow. It is a test the skier can only study for a few short moments before meeting the curves at high speed. In fact, to insure the course's unfamiliarity to the skiers, rules prohibit the slalom course from being set up before the day of compe- tition and racers may not ski on or beside the course before the race. No. 92-04 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection™ ©1992 Fleetwood®, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Tom McNeely Fleetwood WINTER OLYMPICS: BOBSLEDDING First Day of Issue: January 11, 1992 First Issue Location: Orlando, Florida Bobsledding is one of the Winter Olympics Games which has obvious origins. What child living in snowy winter climates has not thrilled at a sled ride down an icy hill, cold wind whistling, hands clutched tightly to the sled? But bobsledding is a sport that is far more than play — it calls for expertise. Members of the bobsled team — four- or two-man teams — must push the sled in unison at the beginning to attain the maximum starting velocity, then the captain of the team must guide the sled with sensitiv- ity. The captain is the driver of the sled and his instincts and ability to feel the sled as it rockets down the maze-like icy track is crucial to the outcome of the race. He senses the stability of the sled, anticipating and avoiding skids, while keeping the team balanced and together. With the exciting and welcome changes in world politics, the 1992 Olympics in France, including the bobsled events – promise to be unsurpassed and full of surprise. No. 92-01 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection ©1992 Fleetwood®, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Tom McNeely Fleetwood WINTER OLYMPICS: HOCKEY First Day of Issue: January 11, 1992 First Issue Location: Orlando, Florida The world's fastest team sport, hockey is also one of the most difficult of all games to play. While performing on skates and wearing a dozen pieces of protective and often confining equipment, the athlete must keep his head up at all times, avoiding body checks and errant hockey sticks. Yet he must also control the little black puck at the end of his own stick and keep his balance and composure despite severe blows from all angles. As he darts down the ice, he dare not break his skating stride lest opponents steal the puck and cost his team valuable time. To prevent such interceptions, players often slam the puck down the ice at speeds reaching 100 miles per hour. It is speed and continuous movement that makes hockey both difficult and exciting. One rule in particular keeps the action fast: Hockey is the only major sport that allows the substitution of players while play is in progress. Few Olympics fans will ever forget the astounding victory of the American team over the Soviets in the 1980 Olympics; the 1992 contingent, of course, hopes to follow in their footsteps No. 92-03 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection ©1992 Fleetwood, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Tom McNeely Heetwood WINTER OLYMPICS: SPEED SKATING First Day of Issue: January 11, 1992 First Issue Location: Orlando, Florida Fast paced Olympic speed skating competition looks back to the 13th century in the Netherlands for its origin. However, the first organized international competition was not held until the late 19th century, but the sport was included in the first Winter Olympics in 1924. From that year, the popularity of speed skating has grown by leaps and bounds around the world. Today, the modern speed skate that these fine skaters use is different from the skates of all other sports. It is longer and thinner and when a speeding skater slams it against the ice, it makes an almost perfectly straight line. Only the last few feet of a skating stroke curve, slightly outward as the blade leaves the ice. Traditionally, the Scandinavians have excelled as the most outstanding athletes in this event. However, as in other Olympic sports, America can boast of champions in speed skating. Americans can well remember the thrilling victories of Eric Heiden in the 1980 Lake Placid Games when he swept the field in all five events and took home an unprecedented five gold medals. No. 92-05 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection ©1992 Fleetwood®, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Tom McNeely Teetwood