Dag Fornæss

Dag Fornæss was one of the best skaters in the world in the period 1969-71, winning “the triple” in 1969. He became Norwegian junior champion in 1967. In 1968, he was considered the best substitute in the world, as he was not selected for the Norwegian team for any international championships, but made his début on the Norwegian international team in a duel match against the Soviet Union in March.

One week later he was the first (of a group of eight skaters) to break the allround World Record in Inzell. When he finally made his first international championship appearance in 1969, he immediately was successful, winning both the Norwegian, European and World Championships, although only 20-years-old, beating Kees Verkerk, on his home ground in Deventer, to win the world title.

In the following years Fornæess established himself among the world’s best and as the best Norwegian speed skater, winning the National championships three years in a row (1969-71) as well as the 1971 European Championships. For the Olympic season of 1972, his goal was to reach the level of Ard Schenk, but an old groin injury return during the Norwegian Sprint Championships and his season was effectively ruined.

He tried his best to peak for the Sapporo Olympics, but he failed and placed 13th in both the 1,500 and 10,000 m. After the 1972 season he received an offer to join the newly founded professional league, but chose to quit speed skating instead. Also a football player, Fornæss competed for the Oslo side Skeid, playing in Norway’s top division in the 1972 season.

Personal Bests: 500 – 39.1 (1972); 1000 – 1:20.6 (1971); 1500 – 2:01.98 (1972); 5000 – 7:20.6 (1972); 10000 – 15:23.8 (1969).