Gustaf Jonsson’s greatest achievement was the silver medal in the 50 km race at the Olympics in St. Moritz 1928, although he finished 13:27 behind the winner, fellow countryman Per Erik Hedlund, the greatest margin in the Olympic ski history. He competed again in the 50 km at the next Olympics in Lake Placid, finishing ninth. In the Nordic World Ski Championships he was always close to the podium but never quite made it. In 1926 he placed fourth and fifth in the 30 km and 50 km events, respectively, and fifth in both races – 18 km and 50 km – at the 1929 World Championship. His best result in the Vasa run came in 1930 with second places individually and with the team of his club Husums IF. At home he won the Swedish Championship over 30 km in 1925.
Jonsson competed for Lycksele IF until 1927 and then went over to Husum IF and is best known by the nickname “Husum” that he got after the name of his community in order to distinguish him from other contemporary skiers with the same name. Even during his active time, he was considered a waxing expert. In later years, he became a wealthy ski wax producer and donated a baptismal font with a silver bowl for the Skede Chapel in Örnsköldsvik in 1943. He was featured in the documentary film “De sista skidåkarna” (The Last Skiers) from 1988, also known under the name “ Förra tidens människa” (Men of the Past).
Sweden