Fred Anton Maier

Fred Anton Maier, born on the island of Nøtterøy outside of Tønsberg, was one of the best long-distance skaters for several years, and earned two medals at the 1964 Olympic Winter Games – silver (10,000 m) and bronze (5,000 m). It was not until he improved in the shorter distances that he could win international all-around titles. He had his top season in 1968 when he became Olympic champion, World Champion and European Champion in the 5,000 m. Very surprisingly; he was beaten by the Swede Johnny Höglin by 0.3 seconds in the Olympic 10,000 m, usually Maier’s best distance. Maier set a total of 11 World Records, four of which were over 10,000 m. He was also the first man to beat both 7:30.0 and 7:20.0 over 5,000 m. Maier’s only Norwegian all-around title came in 1965, although he would place second in the three succeeding years. He was also a good cyclist, with bronze medals from the national time trial championships in 1957 and 1967. In 1967 he was awarded Egebergs Ærespris for his achievements in two different sports. The very popular Maier was also awarded the Oscar Mathisen Trophy in 1968. Off the ice, Maier ran a farm on Nøtterøy. His son, Ole Fredrik was a promising junior skater in the 1980s.

Personal Bests: 500 – 41.8 (1968); 1000 – 1:24.3 (1969); 1500 – 2:06.1 (1968); 5000 – 7:16.7 (1968); 10000 – 15:20.3 (1968).