Written by: Cassandra Blake

Rachael Flatt: The Olympic Figure Skater Who Defied Expectations

Rachael Flatt, the American former competitive figure skater, is best known for her stunning performances on the ice, including her 2008 World Junior championship title and her 2010 U.S. national championship. At the tender age of 17, she became the youngest American woman to win the national championship since Tara Lipinski in 1997.

Early Life and Training

Flatt was born on July 21, 1992, in Del Mar, California, to a family of intellectuals. Her father is a biochemical engineer, and her mother is a molecular biologist. Her grandfather, a national-level fencer, may have inspired her competitive spirit.

Flatt began skating at the age of four and initially trained as a pair skater from 2001 to 2004 with partner Andrew Speroff. The duo won the silver medal at Nationals on the juvenile level in 2003 and the intermediate title in 2004.

Rise to Fame

Competing in ladies' singles, Flatt won the U.S. Novice national title in 2005 at just 12 years old. Although she was too young to compete internationally as a junior, she was invited to compete at the 2005 Triglav Trophy event in Slovenia, where she won the Novice competition.

Flatt's impressive performances earned her four silver medals on the Grand Prix series, solidifying her position as a top contender in figure skating. In 2010, she was nominated to represent the United States at the Winter Olympics, where she placed 7th.

Education and Personal Life

A 2010 graduate of Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Flatt went on to attend Stanford University, where she majored in biology with a minor in psychology. She was the junior class president and a member of the Alpha Phi sorority.

In her senior year, Flatt became a research assistant in the laboratory of Professor C. Barr Taylor. After graduating in 2015, she pursued a Ph.D. in eating disorders under Dr. Cynthia Bulik at the University of North Carolina.

In June 2019, Flatt got engaged to travel writer Eric Iwashita, and the couple married on August 1, 2020, in Colorado Springs.

Legacy and Impact

Rachael Flatt's impressive skating career and academic achievements have inspired countless young athletes and students. Her dedication to her craft and her pursuit of higher education have made her a role model for many.

Flatt's contributions to the world of figure skating extend beyond her competitive years. Her experiences and insights have helped shape the sport, inspiring a new generation of skaters to strive for excellence.

• 2008 World Junior champion
• Four-time silver medalist on the Grand Prix series
• 2010 U.S. national champion
• 2010 Winter Olympics competitor
• Stanford University graduate (2015)
• Ph.D. student at the University of North Carolina