Husebybakken
Encyclopedia
Husebyrennet was a ski jumping
competition which was held in Ullern
, Oslo
, Norway
. These yearly competitions, held from 1879 to 1891, were a precursor to the Holmenkollen
event. Starting in January 1892, this competition relocated to the Holmenkollbakken in Holmenkollen
.
The first competitions held by Christiania SK
were different from today's ski jumping in that the ski jump formed part of a course that included a 4 km stretch of cross country skiing (see Nordic combined
). No jump lengths were measured. Instead, judges gave points for style, on a scale from 1 to 5.
The ski jump, called Kastellbakken, was viewed as gigantic for its time, with length around 20 meters readily achieved. At the first recognized competition held in Husebybakken in 1879, Olaf Haugann of Norway set the first world record for the longest ski jump at 20 meters.
In the first years, Sondre Norheim
was dominating. Later, the brothers Mikkjel
and Torjus Hemmestveit
were dominant. In 1883, Fridtjof Nansen
participated, and was a main attraction, having then won fame by finishing the distance Bergen
to Oslo
on skis. The event became very popular, with up to 10,000 spectactors. King Oscar II and Prince Hans of Denmark were among the spectators.
Due to lack of snow, the event was not held in 1880, and in 1890 it was held elsewhere. This uncertainty relating to the conditions led to the competition being moved permanently to the location of what is now Holmenkollbakken in 1892. Today, only a bronze plaque serves as a reminder of the events.
Ski jumping
Ski jumping is a sport in which skiers go down a take-off ramp, jump and attempt to land as far as possible down the hill below. In addition to the length of the jump, judges give points for style. The skis used for ski jumping are wide and long...
competition which was held in Ullern
Ullern
Ullern is an affluent borough of the city of Oslo, Norway.- History :The borough has its name from an old farm, Norse Ullarin. The first element is the genitive case of the name of the Norse god Ullr. The last element is vin, meaning pasture or meadow. In Medieval times, the farm belonged to the...
, 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...
, 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...
. These yearly competitions, held from 1879 to 1891, were a precursor to the Holmenkollen
Holmenkollen
Holmenkollen is a neighborhood in the Vestre Aker borough of Oslo, Norway. In addition to being a residential area, the area has been a ski recreation area since the late 19th century, with its famous, eponymous, ski jump arena hosting competitions since 1892...
event. Starting in January 1892, this competition relocated to the Holmenkollbakken in Holmenkollen
Holmenkollen
Holmenkollen is a neighborhood in the Vestre Aker borough of Oslo, Norway. In addition to being a residential area, the area has been a ski recreation area since the late 19th century, with its famous, eponymous, ski jump arena hosting competitions since 1892...
.
The first competitions held by Christiania SK
Christiania SK
Christiania Skiklub was a Norwegian Nordic skiing club, based in Oslo.It was founded in 1877, and arranged Husebyrennet in 1879 and 1881. In 1883 its members were instrumental in founding the Association for the Promotion of Skiing, which eventually arranged the Holmenkollen Ski Festival. In 1884...
were different from today's ski jumping in that the ski jump formed part of a course that included a 4 km stretch of cross country skiing (see Nordic combined
Nordic combined
The Nordic combined is a winter sport in which athletes compete in both cross-country skiing and ski jumping.- History :While Norwegian soldiers are known to have been competing in Nordic skiing since the 19th century, the first major competition in Nordic combined was held in 1892 in Oslo at the...
). No jump lengths were measured. Instead, judges gave points for style, on a scale from 1 to 5.
The ski jump, called Kastellbakken, was viewed as gigantic for its time, with length around 20 meters readily achieved. At the first recognized competition held in Husebybakken in 1879, Olaf Haugann of Norway set the first world record for the longest ski jump at 20 meters.
In the first years, Sondre Norheim
Sondre Norheim
Sondre Norheim, born Sondre Auverson, was a Norwegian skier and pioneer of modern skiing. Sondre Norheim is known as the father of Telemark skiing.-Background:...
was dominating. Later, the brothers Mikkjel
Mikkjel Hemmestveit
Mikkjel Hemmestveit was a Norwegian-American Nordic skier who shared the Holmenkollen medal with his brother, Torjus Hemmestveit in 1928.Mikkjel Hemmestveit was born in Kviteseid in Telemark county, Norway...
and Torjus Hemmestveit
Torjus Hemmestveit
Torjus Hemmestveit was a Norwegian Nordic skier who shared the Holmenkollen medal with his brother, Mikkjel Hemmestveit in 1928.Torjus Hemmestveit was born in Kviteseid in Telemark county, Norway...
were dominant. In 1883, Fridtjof Nansen
Fridtjof Nansen
Fridtjof Wedel-Jarlsberg Nansen was a Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat, humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. In his youth a champion skier and ice skater, he led the team that made the first crossing of the Greenland interior in 1888, and won international fame after reaching a...
participated, and was a main attraction, having then won fame by finishing the distance Bergen
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
to 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...
on skis. The event became very popular, with up to 10,000 spectactors. King Oscar II and Prince Hans of Denmark were among the spectators.
Due to lack of snow, the event was not held in 1880, and in 1890 it was held elsewhere. This uncertainty relating to the conditions led to the competition being moved permanently to the location of what is now Holmenkollbakken in 1892. Today, only a bronze plaque serves as a reminder of the events.