Sigvard Ericsson
Encyclopedia
John Sigvard "Sigge" Ericsson (born 17 July 1930 in Alanäset, Jämtland
, Sweden
) is a former speed skater
.
Ericsson started competing internationally in 1951 at the European Allround Championships
where he did not qualify for the final distance. The next year, he participated again and he also participated in the 1952 Winter Olympics
, but it would be a few more years until he won any international medals.
In 1953, the male Soviet
skaters started competing internationally again for the first time since World War II
and they took the world by storm. By 1954, most of the world records (for both men and women) were held by Soviet skaters – all those records having been skated on the fast ice of the Medeo
rink in Alma-Ata. Among the best Soviet skaters of that time were Oleg Goncharenko
and Boris Shilkov
, who had taken one gold medal each and one silver medal each at the World Allround Championships
of 1953 and 1954, making them the favourites at the 1954 European Allround Championships that followed. But while Shilkov became European Champion that year, Goncharenko finished 4th, having to allow silver medallist Hjalmar Andersen
and bronze medallist Ericsson before him. This was Ericsson's first international medal.
The next year, Ericsson became the 1955 European Allround Champion, ahead of Shilkov (who took silver) and Dmitry Sakunenko
(who won bronze). This made him the first to keep the Soviet skaters from taking gold at international competitions since they had re-entered the international skating world two years earlier. Two weeks later, Ericsson became World Allround Champion in Moscow
, beating Goncharenko (silver) and Shilkov (bronze) on their "home ground".
Ericsson then participated in the 1956 Winter Olympics
and he won silver on the 5,000 m, behind world record holder Boris Shilkov, but ahead of bronze medallist Oleg Goncharenko. Two days later, Ericsson participated in the 10,000 m – one of the very few distantances at the time in which the world record was not being held by a Soviet skater. Knut Johannesen
skated a very fast 16:36.9 – only a little over four seconds slower than the world record held by Hjalmar Andersen – and it seemed that Johannesen's first international medal would be Olympic gold. But Ericsson managed to beat the time set by Johannesen by one second, setting a new Olympic record and becoming Olympic Champion on the 10,000 m.
Later that year, Ericsson finished only 6th at the 1956 World Allround Championships and he won bronze at the European Allround Championships. The following season, Ericsson did not participate in the 1957 European Allround Championships, choosing to concentrate instead on the World Allround Championships held in Östersund
, Jämtland – his home ground. However, he finished in a very disappointing ninth place and would not compete internationally again.
Ericsson was awarded the Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal
in 1955.
In addition, Ericsson won a total of 11 Swedish National Championships titles:
Note that Sweden did not have any National Allround Championships from 1935 to 1962 – only National Single Distance Championships.
Ericsson has an Adelskalender score of 185.131 points. His highest ranking on the Adelskalender was a fifth place.
Jämtland
Jämtland or Jamtland is a historical province or landskap in the center of Sweden in northern Europe. It borders to Härjedalen and Medelpad in the south, Ångermanland in the east, Lapland in the north and Trøndelag and Norway in the west...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
) is a former speed skater
Speed skating
Speed skating, or speedskating is a competitive form of ice skating in which the competitors race each other in traveling a certain distance on skates. Types of speed skating are long track speed skating, short track speed skating, and marathon speed skating...
.
Ericsson started competing internationally in 1951 at the European Allround Championships
European Speed Skating Championships
The European Speed Skating Championships are a series of speed skating events held annually to determine the best allround speed skater of Europe. The International Skating Union has organised the European Championships for Men since 1893 and the European Championships for Women since 1970. The...
where he did not qualify for the final distance. The next year, he participated again and he also participated in 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...
, but it would be a few more years until he won any international medals.
In 1953, the male Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
skaters started competing internationally again for the first time since World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and they took the world by storm. By 1954, most of the world records (for both men and women) were held by Soviet skaters – all those records having been skated on the fast ice of the Medeo
Medeo
The Medeu , or Medeo , is an outdoor speed skating and bandy rink. It is located in a mountain valley on the south-eastern outskirts of Almaty, Kazakhstan. Medeu sits 1,691 metres above sea level, making it the highest skating rink in the world...
rink in Alma-Ata. Among the best Soviet skaters of that time were Oleg Goncharenko
Oleg Goncharenko
Oleg Georgievich Goncharenko , Distinguished Master of Sports of the USSR, was the first male Soviet speed skater to become World Allround Champion....
and Boris Shilkov
Boris Shilkov
Boris Arsenevich Shilkov is a former speed skater.- Short biography :Competing for the Soviet Union, Boris Shilkov lived in Leningrad , where he worked as an engineer...
, who had taken one gold medal each and one silver medal each at the World Allround Championships
World Allround Speed Skating Championships
The World Allround Speed Skating Championships are a series of speed skating events held annually to determine the best allround speed skater of the world...
of 1953 and 1954, making them the favourites at the 1954 European Allround Championships that followed. But while Shilkov became European Champion that year, Goncharenko finished 4th, having to allow silver medallist Hjalmar Andersen
Hjalmar Andersen
Hjalmar "Hjallis" Johan Andersen is a former speed skater from Norway who won three gold medals at the 1952 Winter Olympic Games of Oslo, Norway. He was the only triple gold medalist at the 1952 Winter Olympics, and as such, became the most successful athlete there.-Short biography:Hjalmar...
and bronze medallist Ericsson before him. This was Ericsson's first international medal.
The next year, Ericsson became the 1955 European Allround Champion, ahead of Shilkov (who took silver) and Dmitry Sakunenko
Dmitry Sakunenko
Dmitry Sakunenko is a former speedskater.At an international meet at Medeo 9-10 January 1955, Sakunenko was the first person to skate the 5000-m below eight minutes, with 7:54.9. In a later pair, Boris Shilkov improved this world record to 7:45.6. On this occasion Sakunenko set a new samalogue...
(who won bronze). This made him the first to keep the Soviet skaters from taking gold at international competitions since they had re-entered the international skating world two years earlier. Two weeks later, Ericsson became World Allround Champion in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, beating Goncharenko (silver) and Shilkov (bronze) on their "home ground".
Ericsson then participated in the 1956 Winter Olympics
1956 Winter Olympics
The 1956 Winter Olympics, officially known as the VII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. This celebration of the Games was held from 26 January to 5 February 1956. Cortina, which had originally been awarded the 1944 Winter Olympics, beat out...
and he won silver on the 5,000 m, behind world record holder Boris Shilkov, but ahead of bronze medallist Oleg Goncharenko. Two days later, Ericsson participated in the 10,000 m – one of the very few distantances at the time in which the world record was not being held by a Soviet skater. Knut Johannesen
Knut Johannesen
Knut Johannesen is a former speed skater from Norway.-Biography:Born in Oslo and representing the skating club ASK there, Johannesen won the World Allround Championships in 1957 and 1964, the European Allround Championships in 1959 and 1960, and won the Norwegian...
skated a very fast 16:36.9 – only a little over four seconds slower than the world record held by Hjalmar Andersen – and it seemed that Johannesen's first international medal would be Olympic gold. But Ericsson managed to beat the time set by Johannesen by one second, setting a new Olympic record and becoming Olympic Champion on the 10,000 m.
Later that year, Ericsson finished only 6th at the 1956 World Allround Championships and he won bronze at the European Allround Championships. The following season, Ericsson did not participate in the 1957 European Allround Championships, choosing to concentrate instead on the World Allround Championships held in Östersund
Östersund Municipality
Östersund Municipality is a municipality in Jämtland County in northern Sweden. Its seat is located in Östersund, which is also the county seat of Jämtland County....
, Jämtland – his home ground. However, he finished in a very disappointing ninth place and would not compete internationally again.
Ericsson was awarded the Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal
Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal
The Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal is an annual award "for the most significant Swedish sports achievement of the year". It has been awarded by a jury led by the Swedish morning paper Svenska Dagbladet since 1925. According to its statutes the Medal may be awarded in November or December to either...
in 1955.
Medals
An overview of medals won by Ericsson at important championships he participated in, listing the years in which he won each:| Championships | Gold medal | Silver medal | Bronze medal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympics Speed skating at the Winter Olympics Speed skating has been featured as a sport in the Winter Olympics since the first winter games in 1924. Women's events were added to the Olympic program for the first time in 1960.-History:... |
1956 (10,000 m) | 1956 (5,000 m) | – |
| World Allround World Allround Speed Skating Championships The World Allround Speed Skating Championships are a series of speed skating events held annually to determine the best allround speed skater of the world... |
1955 | – | – |
| European Allround European Speed Skating Championships The European Speed Skating Championships are a series of speed skating events held annually to determine the best allround speed skater of Europe. The International Skating Union has organised the European Championships for Men since 1893 and the European Championships for Women since 1970. The... |
1955 | – | 1954 1956 |
In addition, Ericsson won a total of 11 Swedish National Championships titles:
- Swedish Championships 1,500 m: 1954, 1955, and 1956.
- Swedish Championships 5,000 m: 1953, 1954, 1955, and 1956.
- Swedish Championships 10,000 m: 1952, 1954, 1955, and 1956.
Note that Sweden did not have any National Allround Championships from 1935 to 1962 – only National Single Distance Championships.
Personal records
To put these personal records in perspective, the last column (WR) lists the official world records on the dates that Ericsson skated his personal records.| Event | Result | Date | Venue | WR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 m | 44.0 | 28 February 1955 | Tønsberg Tønsberg is a city and municipality in Vestfold county, southern Norway, located around north-east of Sandefjord. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Tønsberg.... |
40.8 |
| 1,000 m | 1:31.0 | 20 January 1958 | Östersund Östersund Östersund is an urban area in Jämtland in the middle of Sweden. It is the seat of Östersund Municipality and the capital of Jämtland County. Östersund is located at the shores of Sweden's fifth largest lake, Storsjön, opposite the island Frösön, and is the only city in Jämtland. Östersund is the... |
1:22.8 |
| 1,500 m | 2:11.0 | 30 January 1956 | Misurina Lake Misurina Lake Misurina is the greater natural lake of the Cadore and it is 1,754 m above sea level, fraction of Auronzo di Cadore . The perimeter is 2.6 km long, while the depth is 5 m.... |
2:09.1 |
| 3,000 m | 4:45.3 | 6 March 1956 | Evarnsveden | 4:40.2 |
| 5,000 m | 7:56.7 | 29 January 1956 | Misurina Lake Misurina Lake Misurina is the greater natural lake of the Cadore and it is 1,754 m above sea level, fraction of Auronzo di Cadore . The perimeter is 2.6 km long, while the depth is 5 m.... |
7:45.6 |
| 10,000 m | 16:35.9 | 31 January 1956 | Misurina Lake Misurina Lake Misurina is the greater natural lake of the Cadore and it is 1,754 m above sea level, fraction of Auronzo di Cadore . The perimeter is 2.6 km long, while the depth is 5 m.... |
16:32.6 |
Ericsson has an Adelskalender score of 185.131 points. His highest ranking on the Adelskalender was a fifth place.