Thomas M. Jacobs
Encyclopedia
Thomas Michael Jacobs was an American
Olympic nordic skier who competed in the 1950s.
He was educated at Middlebury College
in Vermont
, and was a member of the College's ski team.
Jacobs competed at the 1952 Winter Olympics
in Oslo
, where he finished 21st in the nordic combined
event and 66th in the 18 km cross country skiing event.
After competing in the Olympics, Jacobs founded the Inside Edge Ski & Bike Shop in Glens Falls, New York
, one of the only Nordic skiing equipment stores in the United States. He also started a direct-supply and mail-order business, incorporated as Reliable Racing Supplies in 1969, which was the first in New York to import European bicycles, and distributed the Techniski snowless ski, which he demonstrated in New York's Central Park
. Jacobs and his wife Marilyn retired from the skiing and cycling business in 2004, and left the running of the business to their youngest son, John Jacobs. On January 31, 2008, Mr. Jacobs was inducted into the U.S. National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Olympic nordic skier who competed in the 1950s.
He was educated at Middlebury College
Middlebury College
Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont, USA. Founded in 1800, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States. Drawing 2,400 undergraduates from all 50 United States and over 70 countries, Middlebury offers 44 majors in the arts,...
in Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, and was a member of the College's ski team.
Jacobs competed at 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...
, where he finished 21st in 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...
event and 66th in the 18 km cross country skiing event.
After competing in the Olympics, Jacobs founded the Inside Edge Ski & Bike Shop in Glens Falls, New York
Glens Falls, New York
Glens Falls is a city in Warren County, New York, United States. Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 14,700 at the 2010 census...
, one of the only Nordic skiing equipment stores in the United States. He also started a direct-supply and mail-order business, incorporated as Reliable Racing Supplies in 1969, which was the first in New York to import European bicycles, and distributed the Techniski snowless ski, which he demonstrated in New York's Central Park
Central Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
. Jacobs and his wife Marilyn retired from the skiing and cycling business in 2004, and left the running of the business to their youngest son, John Jacobs. On January 31, 2008, Mr. Jacobs was inducted into the U.S. National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.