Sigurd Vestad, a lumberjack from Trysil, a forest municipality close to the Swedish border, appeared at Holmenkollen for the first time in 1928, aged 20, placing a modest 26th at the 50 km. He improved steadily in the coming years, placing fifth in 1931 and earning a place on the 1932 Winter Olympic team by some good national results before the team left for Lake Placid. His best season was in 1933, when he won the Holmenkollen 50 km, over eight minutes ahead of his closest opponent, and was also national champion at 17 km. His best World Championships placement was fourth at 18 km in 1935. Vestad had a long skiing career, placing eighth at Holmenkollen 17 km as late as 1946.