Bernt Evensen

In 1928, Bernt Evensen became the first Norwegian Olympic speed skating champion, tying for the gold with Clas Thunberg. He added a silver and a bronze in the same tournament to complete his set of medals. A year earlier, Evensen had won both the European and World Championships. He would medal several more times, but would not win another title until 1934, when he won his second world title. At the 1932 Olympics, he was the best European skater, winning a silver medal in the 500 m. Known for his fighting spirit rather than his fast times, Evensen never broke a World Record, yet won four Norwegian championships, including in 1927, giving him the triple of Norwegian, European and World titles in a single season. After 1935, he became a member of the workers’ sports federation, and competed only in socialist workers’ competitions until 1940. Evensen was also a good cyclist, winning 11 Norwegian and 6 Nordic titles on track. He also won the Egebergs Ærespris for his achievements in two different sports. After World War II, Evensen became a coach at the Oslo Skating Club (OSK), while also working for his own transport business.

His grandson Stig Kristiansen won a bronze medal at the World Cycling Championships in 1991 as a member of the Norwegian Time Trial team, and also competed in the 1992 Olympics.

Personal Bests: 500 – 43.2 (1934); 1500 – 2:20.6 (1928); 5000 – 8:36.7 (1934); 10000 – 17:30.2 (1928).