Lauritz Bergendahl
Encyclopedia
Lauritz Bergendahl was a Norwegian
Nordic skier
who won both the nordic combined
and the 50 km cross country skiing events at the Holmenkollen ski festival
in 1910, 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1915. Bergendahl's Holmenkollen 50 km cross country skiing victories have only been exceeded by one skier (Thorleif Haug
) while his Holmenkollen Nordic combined victories have been matched by three others (Johan Grøttumsbråten
, Rauno Miettinen
, and Bjarte Engen Vik
). Bergendahl earned the Holmenkollen medal
in 1910 while his nephew Lars
earned the honor in 1939.
Lauritz Bergendahl was the first skiing star, Nordic or Alpine, anywhere. He was called simply the "ski king". Between 1910 and 1915, he won the 50km race at Holmenkollen five times. Born in 1888, he was nearly lost to skiing through religious revivalistm, but his other vocation was too strong. His stardom arose from the lack of national heroes in the aftermath of independence and the poor calibre of politicians. Bergendahl was probably the first sporting figure, anywhere, faut de mieux, to do duty as national icon.
He was the first skier to train methodically. He systematically developed both speed and stamina. He was a pioneer of tempo training. In particular, he was interested in coordination of sticks and skis.
He was a pioneer in adapting the Finnish double heave on the sticks as part of an innovative tactical adjustment of technique to terrain.
He was the founder of modern Nordic skiing, and the analytical system of coaching.
By trade he was a forester, like most of the early Nordic skiers, mainly because of the strength and suppleness developed in wielding axe and saw.
The first free heel toe binding to go into production was the Selmer's "Bergendahl" binding. Norway 1913
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 won both the 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...
and the 50 km cross country skiing events at 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...
in 1910, 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1915. Bergendahl's Holmenkollen 50 km cross country skiing victories have only been exceeded by one skier (Thorleif Haug
Thorleif Haug
Thorleif Haug was a Norwegian skier who competed in nordic combined and cross-country. -Biography:Thorleif Haug was born in Vivelstad, a narrow valley between the Lier Lier, Drammen in Buskerud county, Norway...
) while his Holmenkollen Nordic combined victories have been matched by three others (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...
, Rauno Miettinen
Rauno Miettinen
Rauno Miettinen is a former Finnish Nordic combined skier. He earned a silver in the individual event at the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo....
, and Bjarte Engen Vik
Bjarte Engen Vik
Bjarte Engen Vik is a former Norwegian nordic combined athlete. He won the FIS World Cup overall twice, in 1997/98 and 1998/99 with a total of 24 wins...
). Bergendahl earned 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 1910 while his nephew Lars
Lars Bergendahl
Lars Bergendahl was a Norwegian cross country skier who competed during the 1930s.He won several medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. In 1937, Bergendahl earned golds in the 18 km cross country event and 4 x 10 km relay...
earned the honor in 1939.
Lauritz Bergendahl was the first skiing star, Nordic or Alpine, anywhere. He was called simply the "ski king". Between 1910 and 1915, he won the 50km race at Holmenkollen five times. Born in 1888, he was nearly lost to skiing through religious revivalistm, but his other vocation was too strong. His stardom arose from the lack of national heroes in the aftermath of independence and the poor calibre of politicians. Bergendahl was probably the first sporting figure, anywhere, faut de mieux, to do duty as national icon.
He was the first skier to train methodically. He systematically developed both speed and stamina. He was a pioneer of tempo training. In particular, he was interested in coordination of sticks and skis.
He was a pioneer in adapting the Finnish double heave on the sticks as part of an innovative tactical adjustment of technique to terrain.
He was the founder of modern Nordic skiing, and the analytical system of coaching.
By trade he was a forester, like most of the early Nordic skiers, mainly because of the strength and suppleness developed in wielding axe and saw.
The first free heel toe binding to go into production was the Selmer's "Bergendahl" binding. Norway 1913