Odd Martinsen
Encyclopedia
Odd Martinsen (born December 20, 1942 in Nittedal
) was a Norwegian
cross country skier who competed during the 1960s and 1970's. He won three medals at the Winter Olympics, a gold in the 4 x 10 km relay (1968), and silvers in the 30 km (1968) and the 4 x 10 km relay (1976). Martinsen won five medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
, a gold in the 4 x 10 km relay (1966), a silver in the 15 km (1970), and bronzes in the 15 km (1966) , 30 km (1970), and 4 x 10 km relay (1974). At the 1969 Holmenkollen ski festival
, he won the 15 km competition. For his cross country skiing successes in Norway and abroad, Martinsen received the Holmenkollen medal
in 1969. Thirty-two years later, his daughter, Bente Skari
, received the Holmenkollen medal, making them the only father-daughter combination to ever win the prestigious honor. Odd Martinsen was a member of Nittedal IL.
At the 1994 Winter Olympics
in Lillehammer
, Martinsen was chief of competition for the cross country skiing
competitions.
Nittedal
Nittedal is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Romerike. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Rotnes....
) was a Norwegian
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...
cross country skier who competed during the 1960s and 1970's. He won three medals at the Winter Olympics, a gold in the 4 x 10 km relay (1968), and silvers in the 30 km (1968) and the 4 x 10 km relay (1976). Martinsen won five medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships have been held in various numbers and types of events since 1925 for men and since 1954 for women. Championship events include nordic skiing's three disciplines: cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and nordic combined...
, a gold in the 4 x 10 km relay (1966), a silver in the 15 km (1970), and bronzes in the 15 km (1966) , 30 km (1970), and 4 x 10 km relay (1974). At the 1969 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...
, he won the 15 km competition. For his cross country skiing successes in Norway and abroad, Martinsen 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 1969. Thirty-two years later, his daughter, Bente Skari
Bente Skari
Bente Skari, née Martinsen, is a former cross country skier from Nittedal, Norway. She is one of the most successful cross country skiers ever.-Career:...
, received the Holmenkollen medal, making them the only father-daughter combination to ever win the prestigious honor. Odd Martinsen was a member of Nittedal IL.
At the 1994 Winter Olympics
1994 Winter Olympics
The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...
in Lillehammer
Lillehammer
is a town and municipality in Oppland county, Norway, globally known for hosting the 1994 Winter Olympics. It is part of the traditional region of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Lillehammer. As of May 2011, the population of the town of Lillehammer was...
, Martinsen was chief of competition for the cross country skiing
Cross-country skiing at the 1994 Winter Olympics
-10 km:17 February 1994-15 km pursuit:19 February 1994-30 km:14 February 1994-50 km:27 February 1994-4 x 10 km relay:22 February 1994...
competitions.