Elis Wiklund started competing as a member of Salsåker-Ullånger IF, winning his first race as a junior at Skog in 1928. His breakthrough came at the 1934 Nordic World Ski Championships in Sollefteå. He already had achieved many victories locally but the Swedish Ski Association selected a squad of about 50 men and Wiklund was not on it. His club then decided to send some of its own runners, and he won the 50-km race with no team support. After this unexpected victory he moved to Kramfors in 1936 and competing for this club won Olympic gold in the 50 km in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. He was also a three-time Swedish Champion: 1938 in the 30 km and the relay, and 1941 in the 50 km. Wiklund also excelled as a musician, playing accordion on records from 1936. His life was featured in a novel called Hjältedrömmen (A Hero’s Dream) by Karl-Erik Johansson.
Sweden