Einar Bergsland
Encyclopedia
Einar Bergsland was a Norwegian
Nordic skier
who later became a promoter for the Holmenkollen ski festival
, for alpine skiing
in Norway
, and for the FIS
.
As a Nordic skier, Bergsland once beat the legendary Johan Grøttumsbråten
in competition. He also was national champion in rowing
, golf
, and dogsled racing
. Later, Bergsland introduced alpine skiing to Norway, and was involved on the Holmenkollen organizing committee for 35 years, including 14 as president. From 1945 to 1951, he was Secretary-General of the International Ski Federation
(FIS
), later serving on the Council until 1969. Bergsland was also President of the Commission from 1951 to 1953 and served as an honorary member of the (FIS
) until his 1982 death.
He also wrote many skiing books, including one about the 1952 Winter Olympics
in Oslo
(1951).
For his lengthy and diverse service in skiing, Bergsland received the Holmenkollen medal
in 1973 (shared with Ingolf Mork
and Franz Keller
).
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
Nordic skier
Nordic skiing
Nordic skiing is a winter sport that encompasses all types of skiing where the heel of the boot cannot be fixed to the ski, as opposed to Alpine skiing....
who later became a promoter for the Holmenkollen ski festival
Holmenkollen ski festival
The Holmenkollen Ski Festival is a traditional annual Nordic skiing event in Holmenkollen, Oslo, Norway. The full official name of the event is Holmenkollen FIS World Cup Nordic. It takes place in March and has been arranged every year since 1892, except for 1898 and during World War II...
, for alpine skiing
Alpine skiing
Alpine skiing is the sport of sliding down snow-covered hills on skis with fixed-heel bindings. Alpine skiing can be contrasted with skiing using free-heel bindings: Ski mountaineering and nordic skiing – such as cross-country; ski jumping; and Telemark. In competitive alpine skiing races four...
in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, and for the FIS
International Ski Federation
The International Ski Federation, known by its name in French, Fédération Internationale de Ski is the main international organisation for ski sports...
.
As a Nordic skier, Bergsland once beat the legendary Johan Grøttumsbråten
Johan Grøttumsbråten
Johan Grøttumsbråten was a Norwegian skier who competed in Nordic combined and cross-country. Dominating both events in the 1920s and early 1930s, he won several medals in the early Winter Olympics. Most notably, he won two gold medals at the 1928 Winter Olympics, and as one of the only two dual...
in competition. He also was national champion in rowing
Sport rowing
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
, golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
, and dogsled racing
Dogsled racing
Sled dog racing is a winter dog sport most popular in the Arctic regions of the United States, Canada, Russia, and some European countries. It involves the timed competition of teams of sleddogs that pull a sled with the dog driver or musher standing on the runners...
. Later, Bergsland introduced alpine skiing to Norway, and was involved on the Holmenkollen organizing committee for 35 years, including 14 as president. From 1945 to 1951, he was Secretary-General of the International Ski Federation
International Ski Federation
The International Ski Federation, known by its name in French, Fédération Internationale de Ski is the main international organisation for ski sports...
(FIS
International Ski Federation
The International Ski Federation, known by its name in French, Fédération Internationale de Ski is the main international organisation for ski sports...
), later serving on the Council until 1969. Bergsland was also President of the Commission from 1951 to 1953 and served as an honorary member of the (FIS
International Ski Federation
The International Ski Federation, known by its name in French, Fédération Internationale de Ski is the main international organisation for ski sports...
) until his 1982 death.
He also wrote many skiing books, including one about the 1952 Winter Olympics
1952 Winter Olympics
The 1952 Winter Olympics, officially known as the VI Olympic Winter Games, took place in Oslo, Norway, from 14 to 25 February 1952. Discussions about Oslo hosting the Winter Olympic Games began as early as 1935; the city wanted to host the 1948 Games, but World War II made that impossible...
in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
(1951).
For his lengthy and diverse service in skiing, Bergsland received the Holmenkollen medal
Holmenkollen medal
The Holmenkollen medal is Norwegian skiing's highest award for competitors. It signifies top placings in international championships and other international events, including the Holmenkollen events....
in 1973 (shared with Ingolf Mork
Ingolf Mork
Ingolf Mork is a Norwegian ski jumper who was born in Molde, but represented SFK Lyn in Oslo. He won the Four Hills Tournament in 1972, and had two victories in the Holmenkollen ....
and Franz Keller
Franz Keller
Franz Keller was a West German nordic combined skier. At the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, he won the gold medal in the individual event...
).