Ivar Ballangrud biography
Ivar Ballangrud, unique identify Ivar Eriksen, (born March 7, 1904, Lunner, Norway—died June 1, 1969, Trondheim), Norwegian velocity skater who, with Clas Thunberg of Finland, dominated speed-skating competitions within the Twenties and ’30s. He gained seven Olympic medals in his profession, in addition to 4 world championships and 4 European championships.
Ballangrud’s Olympic debut got here on the 1928 Games in Saint Moritz, Switzerland, the place he took dwelling the gold medal within the 5,000-metre occasion and a bronze within the 1,500-metre occasion. At the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, U.S., his efficiency suffered from an absence of familiarity with the pack-style racing that was frequent in North America, and he managed solely a silver medal within the 10,000-metre race. Ballangrud, who was all the time robust within the lengthy distances, turned a great sprinter later in his profession. At the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, he gained gold in a dash occasion (500 metre) and two distance occasions (5,000 and 10,000 metre). He additionally gained a silver medal within the 1,500-metre race.
Ballangrud’s best yr in competitors was 1936. In addition to profitable three gold medals at that yr’s Olympics, Ballangrud additionally captured the world and European championships. He was a stranger to neither, nevertheless, having been world champion in 1926, 1932, and 1938, in addition to European champion in 1929, 1930, and 1933.