Kay Arne Stenshjemmet

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameKay Arne•Stenshjemmet
Used nameKay Arne•Stenshjemmet
Born9 August 1953 in Lillestrøm, Viken (NOR)
Measurements188 cm / 84 kg
AffiliationsRælingen Skøyteklubb, Rælingen (NOR)
NOC Norway
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 2
Bronze 0
Total 2

Biography

Together with Sten Stensen, Jan Egil Storholt and Amund Sjøbrend, Kay Arne Stenshjemmet formed the “Four S-es” of Norwegian speed skating in the 1970s. A bronze medallist at the 1973 World Junior Championships, Stenshjemmet had his senior breakthrough in 1976 by winning that year’s European Championships by the tiny margin of 0.005 points. He remained a top-5 skater in the following years, always facing tough competition from the unbeatable Eric Heiden and his Norwegian colleagues. Stenshjemmet won his second European title in 1980, adding two silvers (1977, 1979) and one bronze (1981) to the collection. At World Championships, he was less successful, his best being second in 1981, with a third in 1979. After a failed Olympic appearance in Innsbruck 1976, Stenshjemmet’s 1980 Lake Placid appearance was much rememberable, as he brought home two silver medals from the 1,500 and 5,000 metres, both times beaten by Heiden. In 1977, he lowered the 5,000 m world record under 7 minutes: 6:56.9 (although Sergey Marchuk had broken the 7-minute barrier earlier in the same race). In national competition, Stenshjemmet was crowned Norwegian champion five times, four times in allround (1976-78 and 1981) and once in sprint (1976).

Personal Bests: 500 – 38.2 (1981); 1000 – 1:17.5 (1981); 1500 – 1:56.18 (1981); 5000 – 6:56.9 (1977); 10000 – 14:57.30 (1980).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1976 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NOR Kay Arne Stenshjemmet
500 metres, Men (Olympic) 21
1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 22
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) 11
1980 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NOR Kay Arne Stenshjemmet
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver

Special Notes