Ben Blaisse

Ben Blaisse started competitive skating as a teenager, together with his brother Huib. In 1930, they were both selected to train with the Dutch team in Switzerland, as the Dutch winters do not guarantee ice. Blaisse made his international competitive debut in 1932, appearing at the European Championships, where he fell in the first event, the 500 m. After a fourth place in the Dutch Championships of 1933 (his best result), Blaisse dedicated most of his time to his physics studies, but returned to the sport in 1936. He was selected for the national team, and competed in all major competitions that year. After having placed 19th in the World Championships at Davos, he finished 27th in his sole Olympic race, the 500 m. Later, Ben Blaisse became a professor of physics at the University of Amsterdam, specializing in low temperature physics.

Personal Bests: 500 – 45.7 (1936); 1500 – 2:27.7 (1933); 5000 – 9:19.2 (1934); 10000 – 19:06.3 (1936).