Skaters and  Championships FOUNDATION OF CLUBS FAMOUS SKATERS AND CONTESTS TABLE OF CHAMPIONSHIPS LEOPOLD FREY VIENNA AXEL PAULSEN CHRISTIANIA In 1867 the Vienna Skating Club and 1868 the Troppauer Eis Verein were formed. A general impetus for skating about this time passed through many of the larger European cities where the climate was suitable for the sport. Famous Skaters & Contests 1.