From collection Person List
Clarita Heath Bright was a member of the first women’s United States Olympic Ski Team in 1936. Bright was born on August 27, 1916, in Pasadena, California, and died on October 18, 2003. A native Californian, she picked up skiing on a family trip to Kitzbuhel, Austria. Just 13 months later, she competed in the 1936 Winter Olympics. Bright later skied in the 1937 World Championships, where she placed second in downhill.
Bright spent much of her career as a ski instructor in Sun Valley, Idaho. She was a charter member of the California Ski Instructors, formed in 1939. She taught movie star Ingrid Bergman for a role in the movie Spellbound.
In her personal life, Bright was married to another notable skier, Alex Bright, and was a member of several ski organizations, including Southern Skis, Alteburger, Sun Valley Ski Club, and a Daisy Member of the Hochebirgers of the United States Eastern Amateur Ski Association. Elected to the National Ski Hall of Fame in 1968, Bright was a leader in women’s competitive skiing and will be treasured as a first in the sport.
Bright spent much of her career as a ski instructor in Sun Valley, Idaho. She was a charter member of the California Ski Instructors, formed in 1939. She taught movie star Ingrid Bergman for a role in the movie Spellbound.
In her personal life, Bright was married to another notable skier, Alex Bright, and was a member of several ski organizations, including Southern Skis, Alteburger, Sun Valley Ski Club, and a Daisy Member of the Hochebirgers of the United States Eastern Amateur Ski Association. Elected to the National Ski Hall of Fame in 1968, Bright was a leader in women’s competitive skiing and will be treasured as a first in the sport.
