Norway's curling team settles for silver
Norway's playful men's curling team lost its coveted gold medal to Canada on Saturday, but skip Thomas Ulsrud tried to keep smiling. He said all along that his team mostly wanted to have fun in Vancouver, and their clown-like trousers were the hit of the Olympics. Their game was good, too, but not as good as the Canadians'.
In the end, they lost 6-3 to Canada after making it into the finals. The Canadians took an early 2-0 lead and seemed to have command throughout the match, aided by enthusiastic Canadian fans who formed a sea of red in the stadium. It was a daunting situation for the Norwegians.
They held up well, though, and all claimed they were happy with a silver medal, the eighth silver for Norway in the Winter Olympics and the 22nd overall.
While the curling men from Snarøya, just west of Oslo, aimed to enjoy their Olympic experience in Vancouver, they're all serious about their sport. Ulsrud told newspaper Aftenposten that he made a commitment to curling in 2007 after merely playing with teammate Torger Nergård for nearly 20 years. "We decided to do things properly, got the young guys on board, started to exercise more and became four dedicated guys. It helped."
Ulsrud has stressed that the curling team is among the last of the real amateurs at the Olympics. All have normal full-time jobs alongside their curling activity.
Their checkered trousers were bought on impulse and have attracted international fame. Now Ulsrud says his wife told him he needs to watch his behaviour when he comes home to Norway. "She said we've become more well-known now, and have to be careful."
They clearly have won themselves fans, in addition to the hundreds of thousands around the world who became their Facebook fans.
"These guys have shown that sports isn't only about money," one fan, Marit Leknes of Krokstadelva, told Aftenposten. "It's great that they've done so well."
(Written February 28, 2010)
The colourful curling team: (from left) reserve Thomas Løvold, Håvard Vad Petersson, Christoffer Svae, Torger Nergård and skip Thomas Ulsrud.
The curling team attracted attention for their attire, but earned respect for their playing as well. PHOTOS: NRK
They held up well, though, and all claimed they were happy with a silver medal, the eighth silver for Norway in the Winter Olympics and the 22nd overall.
While the curling men from Snarøya, just west of Oslo, aimed to enjoy their Olympic experience in Vancouver, they're all serious about their sport. Ulsrud told newspaper Aftenposten that he made a commitment to curling in 2007 after merely playing with teammate Torger Nergård for nearly 20 years. "We decided to do things properly, got the young guys on board, started to exercise more and became four dedicated guys. It helped."
Ulsrud has stressed that the curling team is among the last of the real amateurs at the Olympics. All have normal full-time jobs alongside their curling activity.
Their checkered trousers were bought on impulse and have attracted international fame. Now Ulsrud says his wife told him he needs to watch his behaviour when he comes home to Norway. "She said we've become more well-known now, and have to be careful."
They clearly have won themselves fans, in addition to the hundreds of thousands around the world who became their Facebook fans.
"These guys have shown that sports isn't only about money," one fan, Marit Leknes of Krokstadelva, told Aftenposten. "It's great that they've done so well."
(Written February 28, 2010)
Bjørgen bringing home the most medals of all
Marit Bjørgen ended her Olympic competition with another silver medal on Saturday, placing second in the tough 30-kilometer race after a thrilling duel against arch rival Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland. Bjørgen crossed the finish line just three-tenths of a second behind Kowalczyk, but told NRK she was still happy and that Kowalczyk "was stronger than me today."
The two rivals have made headlines in recent days, after Kowalczyk linked Bjørgen's strong performance at the Winter Olympics to asthma medicine Bjørgen is allowed to take. Newspaper Aftenposten reported on Saturday that the two weren't on speaking terms, with Bjørgen calling Kawalczyk "a bad loser."
As if determined to prove that she wasn't, Bjørgen immediately congratulated Kowalczyk, who had collapsed on the snow at the finish line. Bjørgen later told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) that she hadn't been thinking about Kowalczyk's remarks, noting that the medicine she takes is legal and approved by Olympics officials. Kowalczyk, who won Poland's first gold medal in nearly 30 years, later told NRK she was sorry she made the comments about Bjørgen's asthma medicine, but still is concerned about its use and asthma among athletes in general.
In the race itself on Saturday, Kowalczyk had the starting position and held the lead in the beginning until Kristin Størmer Steira of Norway (who'd won gold along with the Bjørgen in the women's relay earlier in the week) took over midway. Steira later ran out of steam, though, and the bronze went to Aino-Kaisa Saarinen of Finland.
The winners ran the gruelling 30-kilometers in just over 90 minutes, in pouring rain. It was the last of the Olympic Nordic skiing events for women, and means Bjørgen will head home to Norway to five medals -- three gold, one silver and one bronze. NRK reported it's the most medals won by any single Norwegian athlete at an Olympics in 86 years, since the days of figure skating star Sonia Henie.
(Written February 27, 2010)
Marit Bjørgen (left) and Justyna Kowalczyk battled it out almost next to each other, but Poland's heroine won the race by about a half-meter. PHOTOS: NRK
The two rivals have made headlines in recent days, after Kowalczyk linked Bjørgen's strong performance at the Winter Olympics to asthma medicine Bjørgen is allowed to take. Newspaper Aftenposten reported on Saturday that the two weren't on speaking terms, with Bjørgen calling Kawalczyk "a bad loser."
Kristin Størmer Steira held the lead for quite a while and seemed poised to win the bronze, but ended up in eighth place.
In the race itself on Saturday, Kowalczyk had the starting position and held the lead in the beginning until Kristin Størmer Steira of Norway (who'd won gold along with the Bjørgen in the women's relay earlier in the week) took over midway. Steira later ran out of steam, though, and the bronze went to Aino-Kaisa Saarinen of Finland.
The winners ran the gruelling 30-kilometers in just over 90 minutes, in pouring rain. It was the last of the Olympic Nordic skiing events for women, and means Bjørgen will head home to Norway to five medals -- three gold, one silver and one bronze. NRK reported it's the most medals won by any single Norwegian athlete at an Olympics in 86 years, since the days of figure skating star Sonia Henie.
(Written February 27, 2010)
Saturday's 30-kilometer classic Nordic race for women marked the end of a skiing career for Canadian Sara Renner, who has unusually close ties to Norway. Renner, as reported further down this page, was the skier who suddenly needed a pole during an Olympic relay in Torino four years ago, and she got one from Norwegian coach Bjørnar Håkensmoen, who happened to be nearby. She went on to win a silver medal and Håkensmoen won a solid spot in the hearts of millions of Canadian sports fans. On Saturday, Renner took time to talk to Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) when the tough 30-kilometer race was over. While sad that her last Olympics was over, she said she was delighted that Canada had become such a strong skiing nation, and that Norwegians had played an important role in her own career. She mentioned Norwegian coaches "and that little angel" Håkensmoen. "And you also make great wool tights," she said with a laugh.
(Written February 27, 2010)
Sweet revenge for biathlon star Bjørndalen
It had been a disappointing Olympics for Norway's biathlon king Ole Einar Bjørndalen, until Friday. That's when he shrugged off his failure to win or even place in earlier events where he'd been favoured, powered up his long-standing talent and, together with three solid teammates, shot and skied his way to victory in the Men's 4 x 7.5-kilometer Relay. Each of the men performed well, starting with Halvard Hanevold, a 40-year-old biathlon veteran who was appearing at his last Olympics before retiring from the sport. He shot a full house and handed off in first place to young Tarjei Bø, just 21 and making his debut on the Olympic team. And what a debut - he also skied and shot well and could hand over his spot to Emil Hegle Svendsen, who'd taken Norway's first medal of the Games at a biathlon sprint nearly two weeks ago.
Then things really started getting exciting. Svendsen ended up in a duel with Dominik Landertinger of Austria, and the two skied neck and neck, with Landertinger eventually pulling into the lead. Both missed some shots as well, in a heavy snowstorm. Svendsen made up time, though, and handed off to Bjørndalen who quickly took back the lead. Then he ended up skiing neck and neck with Christoph Sumann of Austria and they ran a close race, until Bjørndalen shot a full house on the second round and Sumann missed and had to reload. Bjørndalen could race away, grabbed a firm lead and sailed into the arena more than a half-minute ahead of his Austrian and Russian rivals, who themselves had landed in a duel. Sumann crossed the finish line barely a boot ahead of Evgeny Ustyugov of Russia, leaving Austria with the silver and Russia with the bronze. But it was Norway that grabbed a gold medal once again, the country's eighth so far and 20th medal overall. Bjørndalen was ecstatic, happily accepting a Norwegian flag from a spectator to carry over the finish line. All four men were congratulated after the race by King Harald and Queen Sonja, who had put up with the snowstorm along with all the other spectators in the open grandstand. "Everyone was perfect today," Bjørndalen said when it was all over. "This was fun."
(Written February 26, 2010)
Ole Einar Bjørndalen already had a good lead when he also shot a full house as well.
Norway's winning relay team. PHOTOS: NRK
(Written February 26, 2010)
Curling heroes secure a medal, too
Norway's men's curling team has made a sensation of sorts at the Winter Olympics because of their checkered trousers. Now the clown-like team has proven they deserve respect as well, after beating Switzerland in a semi-final match and securing a spot in Saturday's final against Canada. The Norwegians won every match they played except for the very first one, against Canada, and now say they're motivated for revenge and a gold medal. At the very least they have nailed a silver, Norway's 19th at the Olympics, after making it into the final with a score of 7-5 over Switzerland. Thomas Ulsrud, the team's skip, was jubilant after their latest victory on Thursday, noting that it's still possible "for four amateurs" to make it to an Olympics and win a medal. He and his teammates have made it clear all along that they're in Vancouver to have fun, stressing the "Games" part of the Olympic Games. "This is just fantastic," Ulsrud told reporters after earlier conceding that it's been "completely absurd" that their unusual attire has attracted international attention, set a new fashion trend and even sparked laughter and attention from their own monarch, King Harald V. Canada remained the favoured team on Saturday, but Ulsrud and teammate Christoffer Svae both claimed "we're absolutely good enough" to win as well. Norway's men's curling team won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002, and that team's skip, Pål Trulsen, "is giving us lots of good tips." The final match starts at midnight Norwegian time on Saturday, but millions of Norwegian fans were expected to tune in despite the late hour.
(Written February 26, 2010)
Norway's men's curling team has made a sensation of sorts at the Winter Olympics because of their checkered trousers. Now the clown-like team has proven they deserve respect as well, after beating Switzerland in a semi-final match and securing a spot in Saturday's final against Canada. The Norwegians won every match they played except for the very first one, against Canada, and now say they're motivated for revenge and a gold medal. At the very least they have nailed a silver, Norway's 19th at the Olympics, after making it into the final with a score of 7-5 over Switzerland. Thomas Ulsrud, the team's skip, was jubilant after their latest victory on Thursday, noting that it's still possible "for four amateurs" to make it to an Olympics and win a medal. He and his teammates have made it clear all along that they're in Vancouver to have fun, stressing the "Games" part of the Olympic Games. "This is just fantastic," Ulsrud told reporters after earlier conceding that it's been "completely absurd" that their unusual attire has attracted international attention, set a new fashion trend and even sparked laughter and attention from their own monarch, King Harald V. Canada remained the favoured team on Saturday, but Ulsrud and teammate Christoffer Svae both claimed "we're absolutely good enough" to win as well. Norway's men's curling team won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002, and that team's skip, Pål Trulsen, "is giving us lots of good tips." The final match starts at midnight Norwegian time on Saturday, but millions of Norwegian fans were expected to tune in despite the late hour.
(Written February 26, 2010)
Women grab historic relay gold
For the first time in 26 years, Norway won the Women's 4 x 5-kilometer Relay Classic/Free at the Winter Olympics, crushing their competitors along the way. All four Norwegian skiers -- with Vibeke Skofterud out first, followed by Therese Johaug on the second lap, Kristin Størmer Steira on the third and anchor Marit Bjørgen on the last -- performed strongly and the first three had put things right for Bjørgen when she took over. It didn't take her long to leave her nearest rivals from Germany, Finland and Sweden in the dust.
The victory was especially sweet for Kristin Størmer Steira, who thought she'd won the bronze in the 15-kilometer Pursuit late last week, only to land in fourth place after a photo finish. On Thursday, it was time to savour the results of years of training and hard work.
"There are no words to describe this feeling," she told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK). Johaug agreed. "It's just indescribable," she said. "A dream come true."
The relay was held in bad weather, with wet snow pouring down, but no one seemed to mind. King Harald was in the grandstands and it was the Norwegians' day to shine. Bjørgen skied hard throughout the race but started smiling about 800 meters from the finish line, before entering the stadium. With no one in sight behind her, she knew her team had won. When one of the many cheering spectators on the sidelines thrust out a flag for her, she grabbed it and waved it proudly before literally hopping over the finish line and into the arms of her waiting teammates. Their winning time: 20 kilometers in 55 minutes, 19.5 seconds.
For Norway, their gold medal was the seventh of this Winter Olympics, putting Norway on par with the USA and even further ahead in the historic total. As of Thursday afternoon, Norway had 19 medals and 302 since the Winter Olympics began, including 105 gold medals, compared to 85 for the USA, 79 for the former Soviet Union and 77 for Germany.
(Written February 25, 2010)
Views and News from Norway/Nina Berglund
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Marit Bjørgen grabbed a flag from a spectator and crossed the finish line nearly 25 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.
All four women skied brilliant laps. From left: Vibeke Skofterud, Therese Johaug, Kristin Størmer Steira and Marit Bjørgen. PHOTOS: NRK
"There are no words to describe this feeling," she told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK). Johaug agreed. "It's just indescribable," she said. "A dream come true."
The relay was held in bad weather, with wet snow pouring down, but no one seemed to mind. King Harald was in the grandstands and it was the Norwegians' day to shine. Bjørgen skied hard throughout the race but started smiling about 800 meters from the finish line, before entering the stadium. With no one in sight behind her, she knew her team had won. When one of the many cheering spectators on the sidelines thrust out a flag for her, she grabbed it and waved it proudly before literally hopping over the finish line and into the arms of her waiting teammates. Their winning time: 20 kilometers in 55 minutes, 19.5 seconds.
For Norway, their gold medal was the seventh of this Winter Olympics, putting Norway on par with the USA and even further ahead in the historic total. As of Thursday afternoon, Norway had 19 medals and 302 since the Winter Olympics began, including 105 gold medals, compared to 85 for the USA, 79 for the former Soviet Union and 77 for Germany.
(Written February 25, 2010)
Views and News from Norway/Nina Berglund
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Norwegian's 'ugly' tackle draws criticism at home as well
Norway's men's hockey team got knocked out of Olympic competition, as expected, but one dubious aspect of its match against Slovakia on Tuesday was still being talked about, both in Vancouver and at home in Oslo. Ole-Kristian Tollefsen tackled Lubos Bartecko so hard that Bartecko's helmet flew off, he fell hard and hit his head on the ice. TV cameras showed shocking photos of blood pooling under Bartecko's head before he was carried off the ice on a stretcher, and straight to the hospital. "That sort of tackle has no place on an ice hockey rink, and certainly not in an Olympics," Slovakia's captain Zdeno Chara told reporters afterwards. "It was incredibly ugly and there's no excuse for such behaviour." Several Norwegian hockey officials agreed, with former NHL star and current Vålerenga coach Espen "Shampoo" Knutsen also telling newspaper Aftenposten that the tackle was "quite ugly" and noting that Norway lost as well, with Tollefsen getting a match penalty just six minutes into play. Ole Stian Hansen, one of Norway's top referees, said the tackle "was tough to watch," and that it was "completely unnecessary" for Tollefsen to have "gone in with his elbow against a head in that manner." Tollefsen's teammates rallied to his support, with teammate Patrick Thoresen saying "such things happen" in hockey and that the tackle wasn't made intentionally. Tollefsen made no immediate comment. Bartecko was later reported to be recovering, after getting 17 stitches.
(Written February 25, 2010)
Norway's men's hockey team got knocked out of Olympic competition, as expected, but one dubious aspect of its match against Slovakia on Tuesday was still being talked about, both in Vancouver and at home in Oslo. Ole-Kristian Tollefsen tackled Lubos Bartecko so hard that Bartecko's helmet flew off, he fell hard and hit his head on the ice. TV cameras showed shocking photos of blood pooling under Bartecko's head before he was carried off the ice on a stretcher, and straight to the hospital. "That sort of tackle has no place on an ice hockey rink, and certainly not in an Olympics," Slovakia's captain Zdeno Chara told reporters afterwards. "It was incredibly ugly and there's no excuse for such behaviour." Several Norwegian hockey officials agreed, with former NHL star and current Vålerenga coach Espen "Shampoo" Knutsen also telling newspaper Aftenposten that the tackle was "quite ugly" and noting that Norway lost as well, with Tollefsen getting a match penalty just six minutes into play. Ole Stian Hansen, one of Norway's top referees, said the tackle "was tough to watch," and that it was "completely unnecessary" for Tollefsen to have "gone in with his elbow against a head in that manner." Tollefsen's teammates rallied to his support, with teammate Patrick Thoresen saying "such things happen" in hockey and that the tackle wasn't made intentionally. Tollefsen made no immediate comment. Bartecko was later reported to be recovering, after getting 17 stitches.
(Written February 25, 2010)
Men's cross-country team second in the relay
Cross-country veteran Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset was putting all the blame on himself that Norway failed to win a coveted gold medal in the Men's 4x10-kilometer Classic/Free relay on Wednesday. He was in good shape, but his skis failed to perform in a heavy snowstorm during his part of the race, and he fell more than half-a-minute behind leaders Sweden, France and the Czech Republic. "I ruined everything," he bemoaned to Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) when his second run was over. "Two million Norwegians are watching at home, and they can all blame me." Martin Johnsrud Sundby had been first out and he'd kept pace with the leaders, who also struggled in difficult conditions. Lars Berger skied third for Norway, and he recovered a bit but could only send out the last man, Norwegian skiing star Petter Northug, fully 37 seconds behind Sweden in the lead.
As he's done before, Northug poured on the power and skied a fabulous fourth lap, cutting the disadvantage by half and entering the stadium in position for the silver.
For a while it seemed he could salvage the gold medal anyway, but Marcus Hellner of Sweden has strength to spare and won the gold, nearly 16 seconds ahead of Northug, who in turn edged out the Czech Republic by just six-tenths of a second.
Ironically enough, it was Norway's own Olympic official, Sverre Seeberg, who had the job of handing out the flowers to the winners when it was all over, meaning he needed to congratulate the Swedes with their victory. For Norway, however, it meant the 18th medal of this year's Winter Olympics, its 106th silver medal in the history of the Winter Olympics and its 301st Winter Olympic medal overall. Not bad for a country of less than 5 million people and way ahead of the nearest medal competitor, the USA, which had 245 total medals as of Wednesday afternoon.
(Written February 24, 2010)
Norway's cross-country relay team, from left Martin Johnsrud Sundby, Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset, Lars Berger and Petter Northug.
As he's done before, Northug poured on the power and skied a fabulous fourth lap, cutting the disadvantage by half and entering the stadium in position for the silver.
Norway's own Sverre Seeberg handing out flowers to the Swedish winners after the men's relay. At left, the Norwegian silver medalists. PHOTOS: NRK
Ironically enough, it was Norway's own Olympic official, Sverre Seeberg, who had the job of handing out the flowers to the winners when it was all over, meaning he needed to congratulate the Swedes with their victory. For Norway, however, it meant the 18th medal of this year's Winter Olympics, its 106th silver medal in the history of the Winter Olympics and its 301st Winter Olympic medal overall. Not bad for a country of less than 5 million people and way ahead of the nearest medal competitor, the USA, which had 245 total medals as of Wednesday afternoon.
(Written February 24, 2010)
downhill racers...
Kjetil Jansrud (right) skied a fabulous second run at the Winter Olympics' Men Giant Slalom in Whistler on Tuesday, edging out his favoured teammate Aksel Lund Svindal to win the silver medal. Jansrud held the lead for a long time and looked set to take the gold, but he in turn was edged out in the end by Carlo Janko of Switzerland, who swooped down the course with a time of 2:37.83. Jansrud, age 24 from Vinstra, logged 2:38.22, just ahead of Svindal with a time of 2:38.44. Both men were jubilant. "It's great with two Norwegians on the podium," Svindal told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK). Jansrud was impressed by his own success. "A silver medal is a big deal," he said. It's his first of the Olympics and the third for Svindal, who already held a gold and silver before winning Tuesday's bronze.
...and for freestyle skier Hedda Berntsen
The 33-year-old former Telemark skiing champion won the silver medal in the Women's Skicross competition at the Olympics on Tuesday, literally flying through the air to win another medal for Norway just minutes after Jansrud's and Svindal's. That brought Norway's medal count up to 17. Berntsen has been skiing for years, concentrating on alpine events after switching over from Telemark in the 1990s, and then making the switch to skicross. Tuesday's Olympic final was won by Ashleigh McIvor of host nation Canada, with Marion Josserand of France taking the bronze.
IN OTHER NORWEGIAN OLYMPIC ACTION ON TUESDAY: Speed skater Håvard Bøkko didn't manage to keep up his speed at the Men's 10,000-meter event in Vancouver, placing fifth in a competition that had a dramatic ending when heavily favoured Sven Kramer of the Netherlands was disqualified over a lane violation. That resulted in the gold medal going to Seung-Hoon Lee of South Korea, with Ivan Skobrev of Russia winning the silver and Bob de Jong of the Netherlands getting the bronze. Norwegians Sverre Haugli and Henrik Christiansen placed sixth and seventh respectively.
The Norwegian women's team placed fourth in a biathlon relay, after fumbling with their rifles, missing some shots and not being fast enough. They placed 21 seconds behind the German team, which took the bronze in a relay won by Russia. France took the silver. The Norwegian men's relay team placed fifth.
(Written February 23, 2010)
Northug redeems himself, with gold medal and better behaviour
Petter Northug has been the bad boy of the Winter Olympics for Norway. Heavily favoured to win several of the cross-country skiing events, Northug instead performed poorly (even placing a lowly 41st in the Men's 15-kilometer freestyle, see below), but it was his lack of sportsmanship that irritated sports officials, his rivals, journalists and fans. He was so disappointed by his poor early placements that he refused any comment, failed to congratulate his competitors who won, and basically behaved like a sore loser. Norwegian newspapers on Monday were full of scolding columns, accusing Northug of being unprofessional and egotistical. Even former Norwegian champions like Bjørn Dæhlie and Thomas Alsgård chided him, with Dæhlie telling NRK Trøndelag that Northug needed to learn to tolerate downturns, and Alsgård commenting that team leaders needed to straighten him up.
Everything changed on Monday, when Northug ran a brilliant race in the Men's Team Sprint Freestyle. Together with teammate Øystein Pettersen, the two beat Germany and Russia, with Northug as anchor pouring on the power and speed in crucial moments. For quite a while, Norway was running fourth, and commentators then got excited when it looked like they'd clinch third place. Suddenly, on the uphill climb into the stadium area, Northug swung to the left, charged forward and passed both leaders, sailing over the finish line first by a good margin. He was met by Pettersen and the two collapsed on the snow in a giant bear hug. The victory by Northug and Pettersen brings Norway's medal count to 14, including six gold medals, second only the US and Germany. Commentators expect more, speculating that Northug has "found his form" and now seems likely to do well at remaining Olympic events. And then there's those curling guys in their funny pants...
(Written February 22, 2010)
Winners Petter Northug (left) and Øystein Pettersen
Northug suddenly was willing to talk to reporters, after finally winning a gold medal. PHOTOS: NRK
(Written February 22, 2010)
Norway's men's curling team has been making a (less-than) serious fashion statement during the Winter Olympics, sporting clown-like trousers that have caught lots of attention. Now the king of Norway, Harald V, says he's willing to don a pair himself, "if they can find a size big enough." King Harald is in Vancouver along with Queen Sonja and both traditionally wear the official apparel handed out by the Norwegian Olympic Committee. The curling team's apparel was of their own choice and has been the hit of Games. It hasn't had any negative effects on their performance. On Monday their winning streak continued with a resounding victory over France.
(Written February 22, 2010)
(PHOTO: NRK)
He soared through the air, if not with the greatest of ease, at least on his way to victory. Anders Jacobsen from Hønefoss (shown at right, being interviewed by NRK) helped clinch the Norwegian team's bronze medal on Monday, after a nerve-wracking wait for the wind to die down. Norway's ski jumpers hadn't been doing very well in this year's Winter Olympics, so their victory in the Team Final boosted their spirits as the ski jumping events wound down. The four young men making up the Norwegian team (Jacobsen, Anders Bardal, Tom Hilde and Johan Remen Evensen) scored a total of 1,030.3 points, behind the teams for Germany and Austria. The Austrians won the gold with 1,107.9 points. Their bronze medal boosted Norway's total medal count to 13 as of Monday afternoon: Five gold, three silver and five bronze.
(Written February 22, 2010)
Bøkko wins a surprise bronze
Norwegian speed skater Håvard Bøkko had a less-than-ideal warm-up for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He was long considered one of Norway's top medal contenders, but last fall, his outspoken coach Peter Mueller made some less-than-flattering remarks about another female speed skater, Maren Haugli, and Mueller was fired for alleged harassment. Bøkko, who had a close relationship with Mueller, was crushed and eventually secured a deal where Mueller could continue as a private coach. The drama was said to distract Bøkko and he failed to place in the 5,000-meter event he'd been expected to win. Late Saturday, though, he finally won a medal after placing third in the Men's 1,500-meter event with a time of 1:46.13. Mark Tuitert of the Netherlands took the gold and Shani Davis of the US won the silver. Bøkko hadn't been expected to do well in the 1,500-meter, so his medal came as a surprise. "It's really great," he told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK). "A medal has been my goal all year long." Head coach Jarle Pedersen was delighted and gave Mueller part of the credit, adding, though, that "it was Håvard himself who did most of the work."
(Written February 21, 2010)
Skicross victory boosts medal count
There were several disappointments for Norway on Sunday, when Aksel Lund Svindal failed to win an expected gold in the men's combined giant slalom, when Ole Einar Bjørndalen had a bad day on the biathlon trail and when the women failed to place on their own biathlon platform. But then came Audun Grønvold out of nowhere and grabbed a bronze medal in the relatively new event known as the skicross. His Swiss rival took a fall, pushing Grønvold up from fourth place in an event won by Michael Schmid of Switzerland. Grønvold's bronze brought Norway's total medal count up to 12 as of Sunday night Norwegian time: Five golds, three silvers and four in bronze.
(Written February 21, 2010)
There were several disappointments for Norway on Sunday, when Aksel Lund Svindal failed to win an expected gold in the men's combined giant slalom, when Ole Einar Bjørndalen had a bad day on the biathlon trail and when the women failed to place on their own biathlon platform. But then came Audun Grønvold out of nowhere and grabbed a bronze medal in the relatively new event known as the skicross. His Swiss rival took a fall, pushing Grønvold up from fourth place in an event won by Michael Schmid of Switzerland. Grønvold's bronze brought Norway's total medal count up to 12 as of Sunday night Norwegian time: Five golds, three silvers and four in bronze.
(Written February 21, 2010)
Northug, ski jumpers disappointed again
There were no new gold medals for Norway on Saturday, nor any medals at all for that matter. Norwegian fans pinned their hopes on Petter Northug, expecting him to win the Men's 30-kilometer Pursuit at the Winter Olympics. Instead he came in 11th, after losing an estimated three seconds for breaking a ski pole. That shouldn't have resulted in such a poor placement but Northug offered no explanation, refusing once again to meet reporters or make any immediate comment. His coach tried to excuse him, saying Northug was simply "terribly disappointed." So were his teammates, who placed 18th, 19th and 36th. Marcus Hellner of Sweden won the gold, skiing the course (15 kilometers classic and 15 kilometers freestyle) in just one hour, 15 minutes, 11.4 seconds. It was a double Swedish victory with the Swedish king and queen on hand to cheer from the grandstands, with Johan Olsson winning the bronze medal. Tobias Angerer of Germany took the bronze. Earlier in the day, Norwegian fans were also disappointed by a relatively poor showing by their ski jumpers. Tom Hilde placed best, at 11th, followed by Anders Jacobsen in 12th place, Johan Remen Evensen as 15th and Anders Bardal 22nd in the Men's Individual off the big jump. Simon Ammann of Switzerland made history by winning his fourth gold medal at the 2010 Games, with Adam Malysz of Poland clinching the silver and Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria winning the bronze.
(Written February 20, 2010)
There were no new gold medals for Norway on Saturday, nor any medals at all for that matter. Norwegian fans pinned their hopes on Petter Northug, expecting him to win the Men's 30-kilometer Pursuit at the Winter Olympics. Instead he came in 11th, after losing an estimated three seconds for breaking a ski pole. That shouldn't have resulted in such a poor placement but Northug offered no explanation, refusing once again to meet reporters or make any immediate comment. His coach tried to excuse him, saying Northug was simply "terribly disappointed." So were his teammates, who placed 18th, 19th and 36th. Marcus Hellner of Sweden won the gold, skiing the course (15 kilometers classic and 15 kilometers freestyle) in just one hour, 15 minutes, 11.4 seconds. It was a double Swedish victory with the Swedish king and queen on hand to cheer from the grandstands, with Johan Olsson winning the bronze medal. Tobias Angerer of Germany took the bronze. Earlier in the day, Norwegian fans were also disappointed by a relatively poor showing by their ski jumpers. Tom Hilde placed best, at 11th, followed by Anders Jacobsen in 12th place, Johan Remen Evensen as 15th and Anders Bardal 22nd in the Men's Individual off the big jump. Simon Ammann of Switzerland made history by winning his fourth gold medal at the 2010 Games, with Adam Malysz of Poland clinching the silver and Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria winning the bronze.
(Written February 20, 2010)
Aksel Lund Svindal reigned supreme in Super-G
He looked like he was having a ball as he barreled down the mountain in Whistler. Aksel Lund Svindal, known for being sociable and sporty, was also in supreme command as he skied at stunningly high speeds to win the Men's Super-G at the Winter Olympics in Whistler.
Close-up photos could show that he was grinning and seemed to be having a great time on the steep and icy course. Perhaps he knew he'd swept past arch-rival Bode Miller of the US and Miller's fellow American, Andrew Weibrecht, who'd been in second place until Svindal knocked him down to third.
Didier Cuche of Switzerland had been favoured in the Super Giant Slalom race, but he ended up in 10th place. He graciously called Svindal's performance "amazing," jokingly telling Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) that he'd been "so glad" Norway's earlier Super-G winner Kjetil André Aamodt had retired from the sport. "But then Norway gives us Aksel!" he said. Aamodt was at the finish line after Svindal swooped over it, working in his new role as a commentator for NRK. Aamodt won the Super-G at the last Olympics in Torino and at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, as well as clinching it way back in 1992, at the Olympics in Albertville. He could thus welcome Svindal to the club, and raved about Svindal's style, strength and time. Svindal won the race with a time of 1:30.34, just ahead of Miller's 1:30.62 and Weibrecht's 1:30.65.
(Written February 19, 2010)
Svindal savouring his victory. PHOTO: NRK
Aksel Lund Svindal in action. PHOTO: NRK
Didier Cuche of Switzerland had been favoured in the Super Giant Slalom race, but he ended up in 10th place. He graciously called Svindal's performance "amazing," jokingly telling Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) that he'd been "so glad" Norway's earlier Super-G winner Kjetil André Aamodt had retired from the sport. "But then Norway gives us Aksel!" he said. Aamodt was at the finish line after Svindal swooped over it, working in his new role as a commentator for NRK. Aamodt won the Super-G at the last Olympics in Torino and at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, as well as clinching it way back in 1992, at the Olympics in Albertville. He could thus welcome Svindal to the club, and raved about Svindal's style, strength and time. Svindal won the race with a time of 1:30.34, just ahead of Miller's 1:30.62 and Weibrecht's 1:30.65.
(Written February 19, 2010)
Marit Bjørgen wins second gold
She was thrilled when she won her first Olympic gold on Wednesday (photo). On Friday Marit Bjørgen added to her collection (which also includes a bronze) by winning the Ladies 15-kilometer Pursuit (7.5 Classic+7.5 Free). She was ahead of the pack all along, finishing the race (which involved a change of skis) in 39 minutes, 58.1 seconds, well ahead of the silver medal winner, Anna Haag of Sweden who had a time of 40 minutes seven seconds. It was a photo finish for the bronze medal, and Norwegian Kristin Størmer Steira thought she'd won, only to lose out by a matter of centimeters and a tenth of a second to Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland. Bjøergen's gold medal was the second in a matter of hours for the Norwegians, bringing Norway's total medal count up to 10: Five gold medals, three silvers and two in bronze.
(Written February 19, 2010)
Canadians remember their Norwegian 'hero'
Amidst all the revelry of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, newspaper Aftenposten reports that Canadian fans haven't forgotten a Norwegian skiing coach who came to the aid of one of their own athletes at the last Olympics in Torino. Sara Renner lost one of her poles during an Olympic relay and Bjørnar Håkensmoen happened to be nearby. He impulsively handed her a new pole, and she went on to win a silver medal. Håkensmoen's good deed got surprisingly little press coverage back home in Norway, but the Canadians went wild, praising his sportsmanship, inviting him and his family for a long vacation in Canada, and even sending him enormous quantities of maple syrup. Aftenposten reports that he's still on guest lists for receptions at the Canadian Embassy in Oslo and now he's been featured in an advertisement by Olympic sponsor Visa as being part of one of "the great Olympic moments" for Canadians. "He will always be my friend," Renner told Aftenposten. Håkensmoen himself continues to claims that "I only did what was completely natural for me. As a ski coach I've handed over lots of ski poles, but that particular pole had greater consequences than I could ever dream of." The Canadians, it's clear, remain grateful.
(Written February 19, 2010)
Amidst all the revelry of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, newspaper Aftenposten reports that Canadian fans haven't forgotten a Norwegian skiing coach who came to the aid of one of their own athletes at the last Olympics in Torino. Sara Renner lost one of her poles during an Olympic relay and Bjørnar Håkensmoen happened to be nearby. He impulsively handed her a new pole, and she went on to win a silver medal. Håkensmoen's good deed got surprisingly little press coverage back home in Norway, but the Canadians went wild, praising his sportsmanship, inviting him and his family for a long vacation in Canada, and even sending him enormous quantities of maple syrup. Aftenposten reports that he's still on guest lists for receptions at the Canadian Embassy in Oslo and now he's been featured in an advertisement by Olympic sponsor Visa as being part of one of "the great Olympic moments" for Canadians. "He will always be my friend," Renner told Aftenposten. Håkensmoen himself continues to claims that "I only did what was completely natural for me. As a ski coach I've handed over lots of ski poles, but that particular pole had greater consequences than I could ever dream of." The Canadians, it's clear, remain grateful.
(Written February 19, 2010)
Thursday was the best day so far for Norwegian athletes competing at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Biathlon skier Tora Berger (photo, NRK) sped to victory in the Women's 15-kilometer Individual event, clinching her first gold medal, the second at the Olympics in Vancouver and Norway's 100th overall. "It's sad to stand here and cry when things went so well," the overwhelmed winner told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK), dabbing at her eyes with a Norwegian flag. Berger, from Lesja in the mountains of Gudbrandsdalen, made 39 of her 40 shots and skied the course in 40 minutes 52.8 seconds, finishing ahead of Elena Khrustaleva of Kazakhstan, who took silver, and Darya Domracheva of Belarus, who took bronze. Berger's strong performance on the snow was followed just a few hours later by Norwegian Emil Hegle Svendsen, who won a silver medal last weekend. He captured the gold in the Men's 20-kilometer Individual, missing just one shot and skiing the course in just 48 minutes, 22-and-a-half seconds. Fellow Norwegian Ole Einar Bjørndalen, who'd been heavily favored in most biathlon events before the Games began, ended up taking a silver medal. He logged exactly the same time as Belarus competitor Sergey Novikov, 48 minutes, 32 seconds. so they each got a silver medal and no bronze was awarded. Svendsen told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) that he drew inspiration from Berger's win earlier in the day. "I could see that she was very determined today," he told NRK. "That gave me the feeling I'd been looking for."
(Written February 18, 2010) PHOTO: NRK
Finally a gold medal for Norway
(Written February 17, 2010)
Norwegian sports fans had to wait five days for their first gold medal in the Winter Olympics, but it finally came on Wednesday when Marit Bjørgen (photo) won the Ladies' Individual Sprint Classic. Bjørgen beat the heavily favored Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland, surprising everyone including herself. "Wow, was I really so far ahead," she exclaimed during the run-up to her win. For Bjørgen, an Olympic gold medal was a long time coming. She got sick during the last Olympics in Torino and often has had setbacks in her career. Now the 29-year-old cross country skier from Rognes is more than pleased. "I'm an Olympic champion!" she exclaimed to Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK). "Individual gold! There aren't many Norwegians who have that. It still hasn't quite sunk in." Bjørgen led the qualifier, the quarter-finals and the semi-finals, though, before clinching the gold. Kowalczyk took the silver and Petra Majdic of Slovenia the bronze. Bjørgen's male counterpart Petter Northug, meanwhile, redeemed himself somewhat, but had to settle for bronze in the Men's Individual Sprint Classic behind Nikita Kriukov and Alexander Panzhinskiy of Russia. Ole Vigen Hattestad of Norway landed in fourth place right behind Northug, who's been having a disappointing Olympics. He'd been favored to mine quite a bit of gold, but wound up in 41st place during his Olympic debut in the Men's 15 kilometer freestyle. Now he claims he's "just looking forward," reports NRK.
(Written February 17, 2010)
Norway loses latest chance at medals
It was another mediocre day for the Norwegians at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Neither biathlon star Ole Einar Bjørndalen nor his teammate, Emil Hegle Svendsen, managed to secure a place on the winners' podium after Tuesday's 12.5 kilometer pursuit. Bjørndalen, heavily favored before the Games started, ended up in seventh place, just ahead of Svendsen (who won silver on Sunday) in eighth. Halvard Hanevold wound up 17th and Lars Berger 23rd, in an event won by Bjørn Ferry of Sweden. Christoph Sumann of Austria took the silver medal and Vincent Jay of France the bronze. At one point Bjørndalen, who has a pile of Olympic and World Championship gold medals to his credit, was in third place, but both he and Svendsen missed shots from standing positions. At the women's 10-kilometer pursuit earlier in the day, Tora Berger shot and skied well but ended up in fifth place. In other Olympic events where Norwegians were participating, the men's curling team attracted lots of attention because of their clown-like outfits but lost a match against host nation Canada. Downhill racer Aksel Lund Svindal didn't even get a chance to compete on Tuesday, when bad weather cancelled the men's super combined race. Norway's hockey team lost its match against Canada, getting crushed 8-0. And Helene Olafsen, a 19-year-old snowboarder from Oppegård, missed her chance at a medal by falling in the finals of the snowboard cross at Cypress Hill. That left her in fourth place, but Olafsen had told newspaper Aftenposten that her biggest goal was just to have fun.
(Written February 16, 2010)
It was another mediocre day for the Norwegians at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Neither biathlon star Ole Einar Bjørndalen nor his teammate, Emil Hegle Svendsen, managed to secure a place on the winners' podium after Tuesday's 12.5 kilometer pursuit. Bjørndalen, heavily favored before the Games started, ended up in seventh place, just ahead of Svendsen (who won silver on Sunday) in eighth. Halvard Hanevold wound up 17th and Lars Berger 23rd, in an event won by Bjørn Ferry of Sweden. Christoph Sumann of Austria took the silver medal and Vincent Jay of France the bronze. At one point Bjørndalen, who has a pile of Olympic and World Championship gold medals to his credit, was in third place, but both he and Svendsen missed shots from standing positions. At the women's 10-kilometer pursuit earlier in the day, Tora Berger shot and skied well but ended up in fifth place. In other Olympic events where Norwegians were participating, the men's curling team attracted lots of attention because of their clown-like outfits but lost a match against host nation Canada. Downhill racer Aksel Lund Svindal didn't even get a chance to compete on Tuesday, when bad weather cancelled the men's super combined race. Norway's hockey team lost its match against Canada, getting crushed 8-0. And Helene Olafsen, a 19-year-old snowboarder from Oppegård, missed her chance at a medal by falling in the finals of the snowboard cross at Cypress Hill. That left her in fourth place, but Olafsen had told newspaper Aftenposten that her biggest goal was just to have fun.
(Written February 16, 2010)
Worst men's cross-country Olympic debut ever
Petter Northug, an otherwise confident young man from Trøndelag, shocked Norwegian fans on Monday with one of the worst Olympic debut performances in his country's history, placing 41st in a race (the men's 15-kilometer freestyle) that he had been expected to win. He offered no immediate explanation, walking right past stunned Norwegian journalists without making a single comment. He later blamed "poor skis" and that he felt "heavy" on the trail. Tord Asle Gjerdalen ended up as the best Norwegian in the bunch, in 28th place, making the embarrassment complete. The Olympics got off to a disappointing start for Norway over the weekend (see below) but fans at least got two more medals on Monday: Marit Bjørgen won the bronze medal in the women's 10 kilometer freestyle, skiing the challenging course in 25 minutes 14.3 seconds behind gold-medal winner Charlotte Kalla of Sweden and silver medalist Kristina Smigun-Vaehi of Estonia. Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal, meanwhile, took silver in the men's downhill, just seven-hundreths of a second behind winner Didier Defago of Switzerland and ahead of Bode Miller of the US. It was Defago's countryman Dario Cologna who won the men's cross-country event, more than two minutes ahead of Northug, while the silver went to Pietro Piller Cottrer of Italy and the bronze to Lukas Bauer of the Czech Republic. Svindal was delighted with his downhill win, his first Olympic medal after several World Cup victories, while Bjørgen said she was "glad I'm back." She's earlier suffered illness and other downturns in major competitions. Sports commentators seemed at a loss to clarify Northug's poor performance, but newspaper Aftenposten noted that he also had a weak opening at the World Championships in Liberec three years ago. He went on to win three gold medals, so there's still hope.
(Written February 15, 2010)
Petter Northug, an otherwise confident young man from Trøndelag, shocked Norwegian fans on Monday with one of the worst Olympic debut performances in his country's history, placing 41st in a race (the men's 15-kilometer freestyle) that he had been expected to win. He offered no immediate explanation, walking right past stunned Norwegian journalists without making a single comment. He later blamed "poor skis" and that he felt "heavy" on the trail. Tord Asle Gjerdalen ended up as the best Norwegian in the bunch, in 28th place, making the embarrassment complete. The Olympics got off to a disappointing start for Norway over the weekend (see below) but fans at least got two more medals on Monday: Marit Bjørgen won the bronze medal in the women's 10 kilometer freestyle, skiing the challenging course in 25 minutes 14.3 seconds behind gold-medal winner Charlotte Kalla of Sweden and silver medalist Kristina Smigun-Vaehi of Estonia. Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal, meanwhile, took silver in the men's downhill, just seven-hundreths of a second behind winner Didier Defago of Switzerland and ahead of Bode Miller of the US. It was Defago's countryman Dario Cologna who won the men's cross-country event, more than two minutes ahead of Northug, while the silver went to Pietro Piller Cottrer of Italy and the bronze to Lukas Bauer of the Czech Republic. Svindal was delighted with his downhill win, his first Olympic medal after several World Cup victories, while Bjørgen said she was "glad I'm back." She's earlier suffered illness and other downturns in major competitions. Sports commentators seemed at a loss to clarify Northug's poor performance, but newspaper Aftenposten noted that he also had a weak opening at the World Championships in Liberec three years ago. He went on to win three gold medals, so there's still hope.
(Written February 15, 2010)
Olympics off to a disappointing start for Norwegian fans
Norway is known for its winter sports, but its athletes didn't do so well at the Olympics in Torino four years ago, and the Winter Olympics that kicked off in Vancouver over the weekend didn't get off to a great start either. Two of Norway's biggest medal hopes, biathlon star Ole Einar Bjørndalen and speed skater Håvard Bøkko, failed to mine any metal at all, while gold medal expectations overall are relatively low. Bøkko was reportedly devastated by only placing fourth in the men's 5,000-meter. Maren Haugli placed only 8th in the women's 3,000-meter race. The ski jumpers didn't win any medals either and a men's downhill race had to be postponed. The biggest disappointment was Bjørndalen's failure to get a spot on the winner's podium after the men's biathlon sprint. Emil Hegle Svendsen (at left in photo) preserved Norwegian honor, however, winning the only medal of the weekend, a silver, in the biathlon competition that left Bjørndalen shaking his head. Svendsen claimed he was simply lucky, pulling an early start number that let him perform before some really nasty weather set in. The surprising winner was Vincent Jay (center) of France, with Jakov Fak of Croatia winning the bronze. Bjørndalen was angry with himself, saying he made "bad decisions" and "didn't do what I was supposed to do. I wasn't at 100 percent. In addition, conditions were difficult." He'll have more chances later in the games. Meanwhile, Norwegians were pinning their hopes on cross-country skiing sensation Petter Northug, who was due to to make his debut in the Vancouver Olympics Monday night Norwegian time, and his female counterpart, Marit Bjørgen, also skiing on Monday.
(Written February 15, 2010)
Soccer squad faces tough rivals for European Championship
When the draw was made over the weekend, Norway's national soccer team wound up with tough rivals in its qualifying group for the European Championship (Euro 2012). Other group members include Portugal, Denmark, Cyprus and Iceland, meaning Norway will have to play all those teams twice and win if the Norwegian squad is to advance to the finals. Coach Egil "Drillo" Olsen remained optimistic, saying that it was a group "where everyone could beat everyone." Portugal, however, is considered a powerhouse team that's made it to the European and World Championships every time since 2000. Norway has played both Portugal and Denmark and hasn't managed to beat them yet. Play gets underway later this year.
(Written February 9, 2010)
When the draw was made over the weekend, Norway's national soccer team wound up with tough rivals in its qualifying group for the European Championship (Euro 2012). Other group members include Portugal, Denmark, Cyprus and Iceland, meaning Norway will have to play all those teams twice and win if the Norwegian squad is to advance to the finals. Coach Egil "Drillo" Olsen remained optimistic, saying that it was a group "where everyone could beat everyone." Portugal, however, is considered a powerhouse team that's made it to the European and World Championships every time since 2000. Norway has played both Portugal and Denmark and hasn't managed to beat them yet. Play gets underway later this year.
(Written February 9, 2010)
Sagen claims a spot on the winners' podium once again
Norway's top female ski jumper, Anette Sagen, won third place in the Continental Cup competition in Slovenia over the weekend. It's the fourth event in a row that's she's won a medal in, and her eighth victory of the season. Sagen has taken part in 12 competitions and won a spot on the podium in each one. The first-place winner has most often been Daniela Iraschko of Austria, reports news bureau NTB, with Iraschko ending 14 points ahead of her nearest competitor and claiming her fifth victory in a row.
(Written February 8, 2010)
Norway's top female ski jumper, Anette Sagen, won third place in the Continental Cup competition in Slovenia over the weekend. It's the fourth event in a row that's she's won a medal in, and her eighth victory of the season. Sagen has taken part in 12 competitions and won a spot on the podium in each one. The first-place winner has most often been Daniela Iraschko of Austria, reports news bureau NTB, with Iraschko ending 14 points ahead of her nearest competitor and claiming her fifth victory in a row.
(Written February 8, 2010)
Ekran won Femund dog sledding race
Sigrid Ekran of Folldal became the first woman to win the gruelling Femundløpet, a demanding dog sledding race in bone-chilling eastern Norway. Ekran competed the 615-kilometer course in 35 hours and 39 minutes. "It feels good," she told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) when it was all over, adding that she and her dogs "had fun" despite sub-freezing temperatures and demanding terrain. The victory allows her to claim the national championship in long-distance dog sledding.
(Written February 8, 2010)
Sigrid Ekran of Folldal became the first woman to win the gruelling Femundløpet, a demanding dog sledding race in bone-chilling eastern Norway. Ekran competed the 615-kilometer course in 35 hours and 39 minutes. "It feels good," she told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) when it was all over, adding that she and her dogs "had fun" despite sub-freezing temperatures and demanding terrain. The victory allows her to claim the national championship in long-distance dog sledding.
(Written February 8, 2010)
Norway faces salmon protest at Olympics in Vancouver
Organizers hope most of the attention will be on the athletic events, but the upcoming Winter Olympics may also feature some protests against Norway and the Norwegian salmon industry. Newspaper Dagens Næringsliv reports that leaders of native groups, researchers and fans of wild salmon say they plan to demonstrate against Norwegian fish-farming giants Marine Harvest, Cermaq and Grieg Seafood, with appeals for the Norwegian firms "to get out of Canadian waters." The protesters claim the fish-farming poses a serious threat to Canada's wild salmon, just as it does in Norway. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs will meet in Vancouver February 16, the same day that Norway's hockey team will play a match against Canada's, with a demonstration by the Wild Salmon Circle planned for February 20.
(Written February 3, 2010)
Organizers hope most of the attention will be on the athletic events, but the upcoming Winter Olympics may also feature some protests against Norway and the Norwegian salmon industry. Newspaper Dagens Næringsliv reports that leaders of native groups, researchers and fans of wild salmon say they plan to demonstrate against Norwegian fish-farming giants Marine Harvest, Cermaq and Grieg Seafood, with appeals for the Norwegian firms "to get out of Canadian waters." The protesters claim the fish-farming poses a serious threat to Canada's wild salmon, just as it does in Norway. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs will meet in Vancouver February 16, the same day that Norway's hockey team will play a match against Canada's, with a demonstration by the Wild Salmon Circle planned for February 20.
(Written February 3, 2010)
Fredrikstad soccer club relieves itself of expensive coach
Financially ailing Fredrikstad Fotball Klubb (FFK) and its new coach Tom Nordlie agreed to part ways on Thursday, just five months after Nordlie assumed his well-paid position last year. Nordlie was being paid NOK 2.4 million a year and FFK also was paying for his car, telephone and even a place to live later this year. Newspaper Aftenposten reported that it simply got too expensive for the club, which has been trying to get creditors to forgive 40 percent of its debt. Nordlie's resignation was announced Thursday morning after weeks of speculation. He's not walking away empty-handed, however, pocketing a full year of pay through a lucrative severance deal. Nordlie also has earned well on the lecture circuit in Norway.
(Written January 28, 2010)
Financially ailing Fredrikstad Fotball Klubb (FFK) and its new coach Tom Nordlie agreed to part ways on Thursday, just five months after Nordlie assumed his well-paid position last year. Nordlie was being paid NOK 2.4 million a year and FFK also was paying for his car, telephone and even a place to live later this year. Newspaper Aftenposten reported that it simply got too expensive for the club, which has been trying to get creditors to forgive 40 percent of its debt. Nordlie's resignation was announced Thursday morning after weeks of speculation. He's not walking away empty-handed, however, pocketing a full year of pay through a lucrative severance deal. Nordlie also has earned well on the lecture circuit in Norway.
(Written January 28, 2010)
Norway loses important handball match against Denmark
They led throughout, but Norway lost a Main Round match against Denmark by just one point at the Handball European Championships in Vienna Tuesday night. The Norwegian players were crushed: "I can't believe that we lost this match," claimed player Bjarte Myrhold, telling newspaper Aftenposten that "it feels like we've been robbed of a victory." After leading by four points at the half and just before the match ended, Denmark eked out a winning score of 24-23 following a controversial ruling on a penalty goal. Norway still has a chance to advance in the championships, though, if it wins by at least four goals at its next match against Iceland, and if Croatia beats Denmark. Play goes on through the week.
(Written January 27, 2010)
They led throughout, but Norway lost a Main Round match against Denmark by just one point at the Handball European Championships in Vienna Tuesday night. The Norwegian players were crushed: "I can't believe that we lost this match," claimed player Bjarte Myrhold, telling newspaper Aftenposten that "it feels like we've been robbed of a victory." After leading by four points at the half and just before the match ended, Denmark eked out a winning score of 24-23 following a controversial ruling on a penalty goal. Norway still has a chance to advance in the championships, though, if it wins by at least four goals at its next match against Iceland, and if Croatia beats Denmark. Play goes on through the week.
(Written January 27, 2010)
Bjørgen dominated Norwegian championships
Cross-country skier Marit Bjørgen claims she's never been in such good shape, and did much better on home turf during the weekend than she did in a World Cup event earlier this month. Bjørgen has a checkered history of doing well, then getting sick or falling behind, but now teammates and observers say she's in great shape during the run-up to next month's Winter Olympics in Vancouver. She won a series of events at the Norwegian Championships in Stokke, including a classic sprint, and told reporters she knows she must maintain "this level if I'm to do well at the Olympics." The men didn't impress either the public or themselves as much as Bjørgen did, with concerns continuing that only Petter Northug "has delivered" this season, and has a chance at medals in Vancouver.
(Written January 24, 2010)
Cross-country skier Marit Bjørgen claims she's never been in such good shape, and did much better on home turf during the weekend than she did in a World Cup event earlier this month. Bjørgen has a checkered history of doing well, then getting sick or falling behind, but now teammates and observers say she's in great shape during the run-up to next month's Winter Olympics in Vancouver. She won a series of events at the Norwegian Championships in Stokke, including a classic sprint, and told reporters she knows she must maintain "this level if I'm to do well at the Olympics." The men didn't impress either the public or themselves as much as Bjørgen did, with concerns continuing that only Petter Northug "has delivered" this season, and has a chance at medals in Vancouver.
(Written January 24, 2010)
Injured Poirée to be released from hospital, wife drops Vancouver job
Raphael Poirée, the retired French biathlon star who now lives with his family in Norway, was due to go home from the hospital on Tuesday, four weeks after being seriously injured when he flipped over an all-terrain vehicle he was riding near their home in Hålandsdalen. The 300-kilo four-wheel-drive vehicle landed on top of him and Poirée told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) that doctors said he was "a millimeter away from being paralyzed." Poirée underwent a 12-hour operation, has lost 10 kilos and is learning to walk again. "It's been hell, but now, when I wake up in the morning, I feel better and better every day," he told NRK. Poirée's recovery is linked at least in part to the fact that he was in good physical shape when the accident occurred. He faces a lengthy rehabilitation, though, and his wife Liv Grete Poirée, also a retired biathlon World Champion, has decided to give up a job she had lined up to be a commentator for NRK during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. "There's been incredible progress with his recovery the last week, but he needs time for retraining," she told NRK. "There's need for me at home."
(Written January 24, 2010)
Raphael Poirée, the retired French biathlon star who now lives with his family in Norway, was due to go home from the hospital on Tuesday, four weeks after being seriously injured when he flipped over an all-terrain vehicle he was riding near their home in Hålandsdalen. The 300-kilo four-wheel-drive vehicle landed on top of him and Poirée told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) that doctors said he was "a millimeter away from being paralyzed." Poirée underwent a 12-hour operation, has lost 10 kilos and is learning to walk again. "It's been hell, but now, when I wake up in the morning, I feel better and better every day," he told NRK. Poirée's recovery is linked at least in part to the fact that he was in good physical shape when the accident occurred. He faces a lengthy rehabilitation, though, and his wife Liv Grete Poirée, also a retired biathlon World Champion, has decided to give up a job she had lined up to be a commentator for NRK during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. "There's been incredible progress with his recovery the last week, but he needs time for retraining," she told NRK. "There's need for me at home."
(Written January 24, 2010)
Norway advances in European championship handball
With victories over both Russia and Ukraine during the weekend, Norway's national men's handball team was set for a string of new matches this week. Norway beat Ukraine 31-29 in Graz, Austria on Saturday, leaving it in second place in Group A after Croatia. Russia was third. Now Norway will play host nation Austria on Monday, Denmark on Tuesday and Iceland on Thursday. The two best teams will play in a semi-final on Saturday, with the finals set for Sunday. One major sore point for Norway: star defense player Stian Vatne injured a muscle in his leg and was forced out of action for the rest of the championships. Coach Robert Hedin said he hadn't decided who would replace Vatne. Newspaper Aftenposten reported that Norway's Børge Lund led the offsense well, that Frank Løke was "unstoppable" despite a "messy" first half.
(Written January 24, 2010)
With victories over both Russia and Ukraine during the weekend, Norway's national men's handball team was set for a string of new matches this week. Norway beat Ukraine 31-29 in Graz, Austria on Saturday, leaving it in second place in Group A after Croatia. Russia was third. Now Norway will play host nation Austria on Monday, Denmark on Tuesday and Iceland on Thursday. The two best teams will play in a semi-final on Saturday, with the finals set for Sunday. One major sore point for Norway: star defense player Stian Vatne injured a muscle in his leg and was forced out of action for the rest of the championships. Coach Robert Hedin said he hadn't decided who would replace Vatne. Newspaper Aftenposten reported that Norway's Børge Lund led the offsense well, that Frank Løke was "unstoppable" despite a "messy" first half.
(Written January 24, 2010)
Olympic trail to be named after Bjørndalen
When biathlon star Ole Einar Bjørndalen goes after more gold medals at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver next month, he'll be skiing through "Bjoerndalen Valley," named in his honor, reports newspaper Aftenposten. His last name translates to "Bear Valley," and commentators have remarked that bears have been spotted in the area. "It's fun to play around a bit with words, and we gave special parts of the trail names," Olympic sports director John Aalberg, a Norwegian immigrant in North America, told Aftenposten. "Bjørndalen, who is the biggest athlete here in 2010, deserves a bit of history here." Bjørndalen, who turns 36 this week, is one of the most victorious winter sports athletes in history, with 92 individual wins in the World Cup, five Olympic gold meals, three silver medals and one bronze.
(Written January 21, 2010)
When biathlon star Ole Einar Bjørndalen goes after more gold medals at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver next month, he'll be skiing through "Bjoerndalen Valley," named in his honor, reports newspaper Aftenposten. His last name translates to "Bear Valley," and commentators have remarked that bears have been spotted in the area. "It's fun to play around a bit with words, and we gave special parts of the trail names," Olympic sports director John Aalberg, a Norwegian immigrant in North America, told Aftenposten. "Bjørndalen, who is the biggest athlete here in 2010, deserves a bit of history here." Bjørndalen, who turns 36 this week, is one of the most victorious winter sports athletes in history, with 92 individual wins in the World Cup, five Olympic gold meals, three silver medals and one bronze.
(Written January 21, 2010)
Sports officials not pleased with skiers' performance
"Norway in cross-country skiing (langrenn) is supposed to be like Brazil in football," Sindre Bergan, sports director at Norway's elite athletic school (Toppidrettsgymnas) told newspaper Aftenposten over the weekend. "We're supposed to be the best." Results so far this season don't indicate that, with hardly any strong performances among skiers on the national team apart from those logged by Petter Northug. Many think Northug and the sprinters will save Norway's honor in Vancouver, "but otherwise we're very thin. It's frightening, I had expected much better," said Bergan. He can't figure out what's going wrong. "It can be coincidental and I can't see that the apparatus around the skiers can have done anything better," he said. Others think Norway's long-distance skiers will prevail after all, especially in the gruelling 50-kilometer event. Jens Arne Svartedal placed sixth in the 15-km classic at a World Cup competition in Estonia on Saturday. Eldar Rønning was seventh and veteran skier Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset was eighth. The women did better, with Marit Bjørgen placing second in the 10-km classic.
(Written January 18, 2010)
"Norway in cross-country skiing (langrenn) is supposed to be like Brazil in football," Sindre Bergan, sports director at Norway's elite athletic school (Toppidrettsgymnas) told newspaper Aftenposten over the weekend. "We're supposed to be the best." Results so far this season don't indicate that, with hardly any strong performances among skiers on the national team apart from those logged by Petter Northug. Many think Northug and the sprinters will save Norway's honor in Vancouver, "but otherwise we're very thin. It's frightening, I had expected much better," said Bergan. He can't figure out what's going wrong. "It can be coincidental and I can't see that the apparatus around the skiers can have done anything better," he said. Others think Norway's long-distance skiers will prevail after all, especially in the gruelling 50-kilometer event. Jens Arne Svartedal placed sixth in the 15-km classic at a World Cup competition in Estonia on Saturday. Eldar Rønning was seventh and veteran skier Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset was eighth. The women did better, with Marit Bjørgen placing second in the 10-km classic.
(Written January 18, 2010)
Golf star wants Tiger back on the circuit
"We need Tiger," claimed Norwegian pro-golfer Henrik Bjørnstad last week as he made his own comeback on the PGA tour after a three-year absence. Bjørnstad told newspaper Aftenposten that he hopes Tiger Woods, the world's best golf player who's gone into exile after a spectacular sex scandal, shows up on the course soon. "It's sad for golf when he's not along," Bjørnstad said. "The tournaments where he's playing are always special." Bjørnstad, from Drøbak south of Oslo, was among those playing at a season opener in Honolulu over the weekend after chalking up an average score of 70.03 last year. He ended up in 64th place and had a disappointing last round on Sunday with five over par. He did secure himself some pay, though, after making the PGA cut with an eagle from 60 meters on the last hole of the second round on Friday.
(Written January 18, 2010)
"We need Tiger," claimed Norwegian pro-golfer Henrik Bjørnstad last week as he made his own comeback on the PGA tour after a three-year absence. Bjørnstad told newspaper Aftenposten that he hopes Tiger Woods, the world's best golf player who's gone into exile after a spectacular sex scandal, shows up on the course soon. "It's sad for golf when he's not along," Bjørnstad said. "The tournaments where he's playing are always special." Bjørnstad, from Drøbak south of Oslo, was among those playing at a season opener in Honolulu over the weekend after chalking up an average score of 70.03 last year. He ended up in 64th place and had a disappointing last round on Sunday with five over par. He did secure himself some pay, though, after making the PGA cut with an eagle from 60 meters on the last hole of the second round on Friday.
(Written January 18, 2010)
Mueller continues to be skating association's nightmare
When we last left the drama surrounding the foul mouth and subsequent suspension of speed skating coach Peter Mueller, Norway's national skating team thought it had solved the problem of Mueller continuing to coach skater Håvard Bøkko (see below). Wrong. As newspaper Aftenposten and several other media continue to report, tensions remain high among skaters, coaches and administrators less than a month before the Olympics get underway in Vancouver. Norway was once a skating powerhouse but now its team is caught in what the media describe as a "nightmare" of conflicts and poor morale. Bøkko and his sister Hege still want Mueller as their personal coach, while skaters Sverre and Maren (whom Mueller offended) Haugli have their own personal coach who's also been affected by restrictions against Mueller. The team itself is coached by Jarle Pedersen and former multiple gold-medal winner Johann Olav Koss, but they're constantly distracted by Mueller's ongoing antics. While he's tried to stay out of the Norwegian media, Mueller gave a colorful interview to a Dutch TV team in which he claimed Haugli used to give him back and foot massages. Norway's Olympic team was disgusted and now everyone seems more mad at everyone else than ever. Even former skating stars are now sounding off with their opinions, while skating administrators maintain they've done all they can to settle the conflict. In short, it's the worst run-up to the Olympics the Norwegian team could have. Bøkko remains the best hope for a medal.
(Written January 15, 2010)
When we last left the drama surrounding the foul mouth and subsequent suspension of speed skating coach Peter Mueller, Norway's national skating team thought it had solved the problem of Mueller continuing to coach skater Håvard Bøkko (see below). Wrong. As newspaper Aftenposten and several other media continue to report, tensions remain high among skaters, coaches and administrators less than a month before the Olympics get underway in Vancouver. Norway was once a skating powerhouse but now its team is caught in what the media describe as a "nightmare" of conflicts and poor morale. Bøkko and his sister Hege still want Mueller as their personal coach, while skaters Sverre and Maren (whom Mueller offended) Haugli have their own personal coach who's also been affected by restrictions against Mueller. The team itself is coached by Jarle Pedersen and former multiple gold-medal winner Johann Olav Koss, but they're constantly distracted by Mueller's ongoing antics. While he's tried to stay out of the Norwegian media, Mueller gave a colorful interview to a Dutch TV team in which he claimed Haugli used to give him back and foot massages. Norway's Olympic team was disgusted and now everyone seems more mad at everyone else than ever. Even former skating stars are now sounding off with their opinions, while skating administrators maintain they've done all they can to settle the conflict. In short, it's the worst run-up to the Olympics the Norwegian team could have. Bøkko remains the best hope for a medal.
(Written January 15, 2010)
Mueller muzzled
Controversial speed-skating coach Peter Mueller has been told to stop barking out orders from the grandstand to top skater Håvard Bøkko. The national skating team's new bosses now forbid Mueller and any other private coaches from speaking to skaters while the team is in a training session. A conflict that led to Mueller's firing last fall resulted in a near comic situation last weekend, when Mueller turned up at practice and started coaching Bøkko from the grandstands. Bøkko went into mourning when Mueller was fired and wanted the American back, but even he now seems to accept that the situation was intolerable, as does Mueller. "We have spoken with the skaters and the private coaches and everyone agrees that this disturbance isn't good, and the most important thing now is to regain some harmony," new assistant coach and former Olympic gold medallist Johann Olav Koss told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK).
(Written January 5, 2010)
Controversial speed-skating coach Peter Mueller has been told to stop barking out orders from the grandstand to top skater Håvard Bøkko. The national skating team's new bosses now forbid Mueller and any other private coaches from speaking to skaters while the team is in a training session. A conflict that led to Mueller's firing last fall resulted in a near comic situation last weekend, when Mueller turned up at practice and started coaching Bøkko from the grandstands. Bøkko went into mourning when Mueller was fired and wanted the American back, but even he now seems to accept that the situation was intolerable, as does Mueller. "We have spoken with the skaters and the private coaches and everyone agrees that this disturbance isn't good, and the most important thing now is to regain some harmony," new assistant coach and former Olympic gold medallist Johann Olav Koss told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK).
(Written January 5, 2010)
Northug makes a big impression in Tour de Ski
The Germans are calling him "the Norwegian cannibal." Norwegian skiing legend Bjørn Dæhlie calls him unique. Even though he placed second in a sprint on Sunday, 23-year-old Petter Northug from Mosvik has firmed up his chances for mining gold at the upcoming Olympics. He's been leading the Tour, most recently in Oberhof, and Dæhlie, who won record amounts of Olympic gold medals, is mightily impressed. "Some say that if a skier is in good shape now, he won't be for the Olympics," Dæhlie told newspaper Aftenposten over the weekend. "That's just rubbish. The more he (Northug) wins, the more attention he'll get. Now he just has to stay healthy." Dæhlie thought Northug's victory in the 15-kilometer race on Saturday was brilliant. Northug battled strong winds, and later told NRK he was stiff without "much to give," only to come from behind and beat leader Maxim Vylegzhanin of Russia. He won by a tenth of a second. Northug is already being treated like a star on the skiing circuit, being the only one on the Norwegian national team to have his own room, his own car and driver. The Tour de Ski and the Olympics are Northug's two big projects this season, writes newspaper Dagsavisen. Dærhlie was convinced Northug would win the Tour. He's off to a good start, even though he lost a sprint event in Prague on Monday because of apparent exhaustion. The Tour resumes on Wednesday in Italy.
(Written January 4, updated January 5, 2010)
The Germans are calling him "the Norwegian cannibal." Norwegian skiing legend Bjørn Dæhlie calls him unique. Even though he placed second in a sprint on Sunday, 23-year-old Petter Northug from Mosvik has firmed up his chances for mining gold at the upcoming Olympics. He's been leading the Tour, most recently in Oberhof, and Dæhlie, who won record amounts of Olympic gold medals, is mightily impressed. "Some say that if a skier is in good shape now, he won't be for the Olympics," Dæhlie told newspaper Aftenposten over the weekend. "That's just rubbish. The more he (Northug) wins, the more attention he'll get. Now he just has to stay healthy." Dæhlie thought Northug's victory in the 15-kilometer race on Saturday was brilliant. Northug battled strong winds, and later told NRK he was stiff without "much to give," only to come from behind and beat leader Maxim Vylegzhanin of Russia. He won by a tenth of a second. Northug is already being treated like a star on the skiing circuit, being the only one on the Norwegian national team to have his own room, his own car and driver. The Tour de Ski and the Olympics are Northug's two big projects this season, writes newspaper Dagsavisen. Dærhlie was convinced Northug would win the Tour. He's off to a good start, even though he lost a sprint event in Prague on Monday because of apparent exhaustion. The Tour resumes on Wednesday in Italy.
(Written January 4, updated January 5, 2010)
It's high season for cross-country skiing in Norway, and this year a curious debate has broken out over just how wide prepared ski tracks should really be. Some eager skiers want to reduce the distance between the tracks by around five centimeters, from 21-22cm to 16-17cm. Some ski associations have begun experimenting with track width, and newspaper Dagens Næringsliv (DN) reports that the machines grooming trails in Oslo's Nordmarka and at Sjusjøen, in the mountains above Lillehammer, may reduce the width between tracks for the left and right skis. "We have registered the debate," Hege Blichfeldt Sheriff of Skiforening told DN. "But we use 21cm between the center of each track. Short children need one width, tall adults may another." She said Skiforeningen planned to prepare a narrower track in Sørkedalen, though, and then may have one machine prepare narrower tracks for a week, and then gauge skiers' reaction. The association has 12 large machines and 25 scooters preparing roughly 2,000 kilometers of ski trails in Oslo. Another 600 kilometers of trails are prepared by the city's department of parks and recreation.
PHOTO: Views and News
(Written January 4, 2010)
Family won't talk about Poirée's injuries
Norway's former biathlon queen, Liv Grete Skjelbreid Poirée, continued to refuse to answer questions about the health of her husband, Raphael Poirée, who was seriously injured while out riding an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) during the Christmas holidays. Poirée, a former biathlon star himself, was reportedly driving the four-wheel ATV near the couple's home in Eikelandsosen, Hordaland County, when it turned over and landed on him last Monday. Poirée underwent lengthy and complicated surgery at Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, where doctors also have declined to offer details about his condition. A friend from Poirée's native France told newspaper L'Equipe that one neurological operation lasted nearly 12 hours. A press release from Haukeland described Poirée's condition as still serious, but stable. Police were investigating the cause of the accident. Raphael Poirée, who retired from skiing and international biathlon competition two years ago, most recently has been coaching junior female skiers.
(Written January 4, 2010)
Norway's former biathlon queen, Liv Grete Skjelbreid Poirée, continued to refuse to answer questions about the health of her husband, Raphael Poirée, who was seriously injured while out riding an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) during the Christmas holidays. Poirée, a former biathlon star himself, was reportedly driving the four-wheel ATV near the couple's home in Eikelandsosen, Hordaland County, when it turned over and landed on him last Monday. Poirée underwent lengthy and complicated surgery at Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, where doctors also have declined to offer details about his condition. A friend from Poirée's native France told newspaper L'Equipe that one neurological operation lasted nearly 12 hours. A press release from Haukeland described Poirée's condition as still serious, but stable. Police were investigating the cause of the accident. Raphael Poirée, who retired from skiing and international biathlon competition two years ago, most recently has been coaching junior female skiers.
(Written January 4, 2010)
Fired speed-skating coach tries to mount pro-team in Norway
Peter Mueller, the former American speed-skating gold medalist who went on to coach other speed skaters, isn't giving up his coaching efforts even after being fired by Norway's skating federation. He got into trouble after making sexually offensive remarks to top female skater Maren Haugli, and an apology wasn't enough to save his job. Now, with top male skater Håvard Bøkko asking for him, Mueller told newspaper Aftenposten that he wants to start up Norway's first professional skating team. Mueller returned to Norway after spending the holidays in the US, claiming that he "loves Norway" and has "no plans to work anywhere else." He said he'll follow Bøkko and Bøkko's sister Hege closely until mid-March, albeit from the grandstands and not on the ice during competition, and "after that, we'll look at starting a pro-team for skaters in Norway," suggesting he already has sponsor candidates lined up and that some "top international skating names" are interested. Mueller himself is "persona non grata" within Norway's official sports bureaucracy following his alleged harassment. He earlier has threatened legal action over his firing.
(Written December 28, 2009)
Peter Mueller, the former American speed-skating gold medalist who went on to coach other speed skaters, isn't giving up his coaching efforts even after being fired by Norway's skating federation. He got into trouble after making sexually offensive remarks to top female skater Maren Haugli, and an apology wasn't enough to save his job. Now, with top male skater Håvard Bøkko asking for him, Mueller told newspaper Aftenposten that he wants to start up Norway's first professional skating team. Mueller returned to Norway after spending the holidays in the US, claiming that he "loves Norway" and has "no plans to work anywhere else." He said he'll follow Bøkko and Bøkko's sister Hege closely until mid-March, albeit from the grandstands and not on the ice during competition, and "after that, we'll look at starting a pro-team for skaters in Norway," suggesting he already has sponsor candidates lined up and that some "top international skating names" are interested. Mueller himself is "persona non grata" within Norway's official sports bureaucracy following his alleged harassment. He earlier has threatened legal action over his firing.
(Written December 28, 2009)
Ski jumpers ready for a holiday week of competition
Norway's ski jumping coach from Finland, Mika Kojonkoski, traveled with his team over the weekend to the Alps, where they'll take part in a week of ski jumping competition known in Norway as Hoppuka. Kojonkoski, who earlier coached the national ski jumping teams for Finland and Austria, told newspaper Aftenposten that he views "Hoppuka" as "the season's high point," because it's "very traditional, with high focus on the jumping." On his Norwegian team are two members of what Kojonkoski calls his "dream team," Roar Ljøkelsøy, age 33 and jumping in Hoppuka for the 17th time, and Anders Jacobsen, age 24 and taking part for the fourth time. Kojonkoski also thought others on the Norwegian team have the potential to succeed, including Bjørn Einar Romøren, age 28, who's currently in second place in World Cup competition so far this season. Rounding out the Norwegian squad are Tom Hilde, age 22, Johan Remen Evensen, age 24, and Kenneth Gangnes, making his Hoppuka debut.
(Written December 27, 2009)
Norway's ski jumping coach from Finland, Mika Kojonkoski, traveled with his team over the weekend to the Alps, where they'll take part in a week of ski jumping competition known in Norway as Hoppuka. Kojonkoski, who earlier coached the national ski jumping teams for Finland and Austria, told newspaper Aftenposten that he views "Hoppuka" as "the season's high point," because it's "very traditional, with high focus on the jumping." On his Norwegian team are two members of what Kojonkoski calls his "dream team," Roar Ljøkelsøy, age 33 and jumping in Hoppuka for the 17th time, and Anders Jacobsen, age 24 and taking part for the fourth time. Kojonkoski also thought others on the Norwegian team have the potential to succeed, including Bjørn Einar Romøren, age 28, who's currently in second place in World Cup competition so far this season. Rounding out the Norwegian squad are Tom Hilde, age 22, Johan Remen Evensen, age 24, and Kenneth Gangnes, making his Hoppuka debut.
(Written December 27, 2009)
'Handball girls' lost their bid for World Championship gold, but won bronze
Some players on Norway's popular women's handball team had never lost a semi-finals match in a championship tournament before. They did on Friday, losing against Russia by a score of 20-28. That meant they could only hope for bronze at the World Women's Handball Championships in Suzhou, China, and then only if they beat Spain again on Sunday. They did, by a score of 31-26, securing them at least the bronze medals. A victory over Spain earlier in the week had propelled the Norwegian women into the semi-finals. Players like Karoline Dyhre Breivang had gone into Friday's match against Russia with confidence, with Breivang telling newspaper Aftenposten that she's played in five semi-finals and the team won them all. Sports commentators said Friday's loss wasn't a complete surprise, however. Some veteran players suffered from injuries, and the team had several debutants. They redeemed themselves on Sunday. "We like to win medals, and we did," coach Thorir Hergelrsson told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK).
(Written December 18, updated December 20, 2009)
Some players on Norway's popular women's handball team had never lost a semi-finals match in a championship tournament before. They did on Friday, losing against Russia by a score of 20-28. That meant they could only hope for bronze at the World Women's Handball Championships in Suzhou, China, and then only if they beat Spain again on Sunday. They did, by a score of 31-26, securing them at least the bronze medals. A victory over Spain earlier in the week had propelled the Norwegian women into the semi-finals. Players like Karoline Dyhre Breivang had gone into Friday's match against Russia with confidence, with Breivang telling newspaper Aftenposten that she's played in five semi-finals and the team won them all. Sports commentators said Friday's loss wasn't a complete surprise, however. Some veteran players suffered from injuries, and the team had several debutants. They redeemed themselves on Sunday. "We like to win medals, and we did," coach Thorir Hergelrsson told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK).
(Written December 18, updated December 20, 2009)
Chess champion comes home to eat cake with a government minister
Magnus Carlsen, Norway's teenaged chess champion, returned home to Norway this week after being confirmed as the world's top-ranked chess player, and soon was eating cake with the government minister in charge of sports and culture. Anniken Huitfeldt let him know she was proud of the young Norwegian's success, not least by announcing that the state will support efforts to secure a world chess championship tournament in the northern city of Tromsø in 2014. The same city wanted to host the Winter Olympics in 2018, but the state wouldn't fund that effort. A chess championship is apparently more realistic, and the state will put up financial guarantees to the tune of NOK 70 million (about USD 12 million). Huitfeldt made it clear that Carlsen's performance boosted the government's willingness to support a major chess tournament, praising his results and hoping that his success will spark more interest in chess, especially among children and youth. The Norwegian chess foundation already had selected Tromsø as its choice for a host city.
(Written December 18, 2009)
Magnus Carlsen, Norway's teenaged chess champion, returned home to Norway this week after being confirmed as the world's top-ranked chess player, and soon was eating cake with the government minister in charge of sports and culture. Anniken Huitfeldt let him know she was proud of the young Norwegian's success, not least by announcing that the state will support efforts to secure a world chess championship tournament in the northern city of Tromsø in 2014. The same city wanted to host the Winter Olympics in 2018, but the state wouldn't fund that effort. A chess championship is apparently more realistic, and the state will put up financial guarantees to the tune of NOK 70 million (about USD 12 million). Huitfeldt made it clear that Carlsen's performance boosted the government's willingness to support a major chess tournament, praising his results and hoping that his success will spark more interest in chess, especially among children and youth. The Norwegian chess foundation already had selected Tromsø as its choice for a host city.
(Written December 18, 2009)
Norway can now officially boast having the top chess player in the world. Magnus Carlsen, who turned 19 last month, cemented his Number-One ranking after a remis (draw) against English Grand Master Michael Adams in the next-to-last round of the London Chess Classic in Kensington Monday night. He went on to win the tournament, after playing remis against Nigel Short and winding up five points ahead of top-ranked Veselin Topalov. Carlsen is now not only the world's youngest top-ranked player ever, he's also the first western player to grab the top spot since Bobby Fischer of the US won it in 1972. Carlsen told newspaper Aftenposten he was "very satisfied" that his top ranking was confirmed during the London tournament, but he intended to keep working hard, and winning. Carlsen has been playing since he was a little boy and beat former world champ Garry Kasparov when he was 13. Kasparov is now one of Carlsen's coaches. The secretary general of Norway's chess foundation, Dag Danielsen, said Magnus has made "a completely incredible presentation. It's a great day."
(Written December 15, updated December 16, 2009)
'Handball girls' make it into World Championships semi-finals
Norway's popular women's handball team was jubilant again on Tuesday after beating Spain 27-24 and earning a spot in the semi-finals at the World Women's Handball Championships in Suzhou, China. Camilla Herrem was widely credited with saving the team's honor, scoring the first goal after the break and later scoring three more times in less than a minute. Tonje Nøstvold and Linn Kristin Riegelhuth also cut Spain's earlier lead, which had stood at six points before the break (14-8 in favour of Spain). Herrem said later that she knew things were happening quickly. "I was only trying to do the best I could," she told newspaper Dagsavisen. Now the team will face Russia on Friday. Norway's women's handball team has almost a cult following in Norway and wins widespread coverage. It's been wildly popular even before winning Olympic gold and its legendary coach Marit Breivik has topped public opinion polls on leaders who inspire confidence.
(Written December 16, 2009)
Norway's popular women's handball team was jubilant again on Tuesday after beating Spain 27-24 and earning a spot in the semi-finals at the World Women's Handball Championships in Suzhou, China. Camilla Herrem was widely credited with saving the team's honor, scoring the first goal after the break and later scoring three more times in less than a minute. Tonje Nøstvold and Linn Kristin Riegelhuth also cut Spain's earlier lead, which had stood at six points before the break (14-8 in favour of Spain). Herrem said later that she knew things were happening quickly. "I was only trying to do the best I could," she told newspaper Dagsavisen. Now the team will face Russia on Friday. Norway's women's handball team has almost a cult following in Norway and wins widespread coverage. It's been wildly popular even before winning Olympic gold and its legendary coach Marit Breivik has topped public opinion polls on leaders who inspire confidence.
(Written December 16, 2009)
Speed skater Bøkko misses Mueller
Norway's top speed skater, Håvard Bøkko, didn't do very well during recent competitions in Canada and the US, and has made it clear he wants Peter Mueller back as his coach. Mueller's contract with the Norwegian skating federation was terminated last month after Mueller made offensive remarks about a female skater during a dinner in Germany. Bøkko's father has met with skating officials in the hopes Mueller can be brought back as a "special adviser," even though the younger Bøkko "is cooperating well" with new skating coaches Jarle Pedersen and Johann Olav Koss. A top skating official seemed to throw cold water on any such arrangements, however, telling Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) that the federation had no intention of entering into any new agreements with Mueller.
(Written December 15, 2009)
Norway's top speed skater, Håvard Bøkko, didn't do very well during recent competitions in Canada and the US, and has made it clear he wants Peter Mueller back as his coach. Mueller's contract with the Norwegian skating federation was terminated last month after Mueller made offensive remarks about a female skater during a dinner in Germany. Bøkko's father has met with skating officials in the hopes Mueller can be brought back as a "special adviser," even though the younger Bøkko "is cooperating well" with new skating coaches Jarle Pedersen and Johann Olav Koss. A top skating official seemed to throw cold water on any such arrangements, however, telling Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) that the federation had no intention of entering into any new agreements with Mueller.
(Written December 15, 2009)
Celebrity financier tries to save soccer club
High-profile Oslo stock broker and financier Jan Petter Sissener has embarked on a fund-raising effort to save Oslo football (soccer) club Lyn from bankruptcy. Sissener aims to form a new "Lyn Inc" that will still be alive and kicking after New Year. Lyn ran into serious financial problems, controversies over the sale of players, ownership changes and declining attendance at matches this year. It since has cut costs to the bone and Sissener thinks the "new Lyn" model can be viable. "There are times when one acts more with the heart than the brain," he told newspaper Aftenposten. "I've declared myself willing to help refinance Lyn," adding that his own investment in the club is "modest." He says he won't join Lyn's board, pleading lack of football expertise, "but I'll contribute gladly to the refinancing."
(Written December 15, 2009)
High-profile Oslo stock broker and financier Jan Petter Sissener has embarked on a fund-raising effort to save Oslo football (soccer) club Lyn from bankruptcy. Sissener aims to form a new "Lyn Inc" that will still be alive and kicking after New Year. Lyn ran into serious financial problems, controversies over the sale of players, ownership changes and declining attendance at matches this year. It since has cut costs to the bone and Sissener thinks the "new Lyn" model can be viable. "There are times when one acts more with the heart than the brain," he told newspaper Aftenposten. "I've declared myself willing to help refinance Lyn," adding that his own investment in the club is "modest." He says he won't join Lyn's board, pleading lack of football expertise, "but I'll contribute gladly to the refinancing."
(Written December 15, 2009)
Gold medal brings tears to swimming coach's eyes
The longtime Norwegian coach for swimmer Aleksander Hetland of Bærum told newspaper Aftenposten he was glad the Norwegian national anthem was played only in its short version after Hetland won a gold medal at the European Short Course Swimming Championships over the weekend. Otherwise the tears would have flowed. "It was really something to see him standing there (on the winners' podium)," said coach Sondre Solberg, who was in Istanbul to see Hetland win the 50-meter breast stroke event. Hetland also was moved to tears. the 26-year-old who now lives in Florida hadn't competed since last spring but also set a new Norwegian record. Hetland also won a bronze medal and two silvers in earlier events but admits he "hadn't even dreamed" about a gold.
(Written December 13, 2009)
Governments won't support European football championship bid
Sports bureaucrats in both Norway and Sweden were abruptly awakened from their dreams of hosting a joint European football championships in 2016. Neither government will support the expensive venture and the project was halted after a consultants' report concluded that it was too ambitious. Norway's football federation NFF has had a tough year, marred by personnel conflicts, declining attendance at football matches and financial problems at several professional football clubs. President Sondre Kåfjord said he "was disappointed, very disappointed," though, and said NFF would try to redeem itself by disproving the consultants' conclusions. He also said NFF would continue lobbying to build a new national football stadium in Oslo's Groruddalen district.
(Written December 12, 2009)
The longtime Norwegian coach for swimmer Aleksander Hetland of Bærum told newspaper Aftenposten he was glad the Norwegian national anthem was played only in its short version after Hetland won a gold medal at the European Short Course Swimming Championships over the weekend. Otherwise the tears would have flowed. "It was really something to see him standing there (on the winners' podium)," said coach Sondre Solberg, who was in Istanbul to see Hetland win the 50-meter breast stroke event. Hetland also was moved to tears. the 26-year-old who now lives in Florida hadn't competed since last spring but also set a new Norwegian record. Hetland also won a bronze medal and two silvers in earlier events but admits he "hadn't even dreamed" about a gold.
(Written December 13, 2009)
Governments won't support European football championship bid
Sports bureaucrats in both Norway and Sweden were abruptly awakened from their dreams of hosting a joint European football championships in 2016. Neither government will support the expensive venture and the project was halted after a consultants' report concluded that it was too ambitious. Norway's football federation NFF has had a tough year, marred by personnel conflicts, declining attendance at football matches and financial problems at several professional football clubs. President Sondre Kåfjord said he "was disappointed, very disappointed," though, and said NFF would try to redeem itself by disproving the consultants' conclusions. He also said NFF would continue lobbying to build a new national football stadium in Oslo's Groruddalen district.
(Written December 12, 2009)
Winter sports season not off to a great start
Norwegian athletes, sponsors, coaches and fans had all hoped the run-up to the Winter Olympics would be a bit more victorious than it has been so far. Norway's ski jumpers are even taking on what newspaper Aftenposten calls a "head doctor," in the hopes he'll psych them up to better results. They've been so bad so far this season that even World Cup leader Bjørn Einar Romøren called the weekend's performance "very sad," scolding himself over "a bad jump" that left him in 35th place. The best Norwegian was Johan Remen Evensen, who placed 11th at the World Cup competition in Lillehammer. "We have a bit to work on," said coach Mika Kojonkoski, who admitted he was disappointed. So was speed skater Håvard Bøkko, who only placed sixth in the 5,000-meter race on the other side of the world in Calgary. "I'm a bit surprised that it went so badly," Bøkko told news bureau NTB. The women didn't do well, either, and in biathlon competition in Östersund, there were fears the Norwegian women wouldn't qualify for the Olympics with the exception of Tora Berger, who won the sprint and made the cut for Canada. Downhill ski racer Aksel Lund Svindal, however, earned a spot on the winners' podium in Beaver Creek, winning bronze in a World Cup grand slalom.
(Written December 7, 2009)
Norwegian athletes, sponsors, coaches and fans had all hoped the run-up to the Winter Olympics would be a bit more victorious than it has been so far. Norway's ski jumpers are even taking on what newspaper Aftenposten calls a "head doctor," in the hopes he'll psych them up to better results. They've been so bad so far this season that even World Cup leader Bjørn Einar Romøren called the weekend's performance "very sad," scolding himself over "a bad jump" that left him in 35th place. The best Norwegian was Johan Remen Evensen, who placed 11th at the World Cup competition in Lillehammer. "We have a bit to work on," said coach Mika Kojonkoski, who admitted he was disappointed. So was speed skater Håvard Bøkko, who only placed sixth in the 5,000-meter race on the other side of the world in Calgary. "I'm a bit surprised that it went so badly," Bøkko told news bureau NTB. The women didn't do well, either, and in biathlon competition in Östersund, there were fears the Norwegian women wouldn't qualify for the Olympics with the exception of Tora Berger, who won the sprint and made the cut for Canada. Downhill ski racer Aksel Lund Svindal, however, earned a spot on the winners' podium in Beaver Creek, winning bronze in a World Cup grand slalom.
(Written December 7, 2009)
Equestrians lose medal appeal
It's official: Norway's short-lived glory as an equestrian bronze-medal winner at the Summer Olympics in China last year is over. The medal has been taken away from the team after they lost their appeal of a ruling that Tony André Hansen's horse Camiro was drugged during the event. Testing of the horse came up positive for traces of capsaicin, an illegal ointment smeared on horses' legs to make them more sensitive. Hansen was disqualified from all the events he took place in during the Olympics. That means teammates Morten Djupvik, Stein Endresen and Geir Gulliksen also lost their team bronze, since they lost Hansen's points. Switzerland ended up taking the bronze, while the US won gold and Canada silver. "We think this is all very sad, but now it's finally over," the president of the Norwegian equestrian association, Kristin Kloster Aasen, told Aftenposten.no. "Now we just have to move forward."
(Written December 4, 2009)
It's official: Norway's short-lived glory as an equestrian bronze-medal winner at the Summer Olympics in China last year is over. The medal has been taken away from the team after they lost their appeal of a ruling that Tony André Hansen's horse Camiro was drugged during the event. Testing of the horse came up positive for traces of capsaicin, an illegal ointment smeared on horses' legs to make them more sensitive. Hansen was disqualified from all the events he took place in during the Olympics. That means teammates Morten Djupvik, Stein Endresen and Geir Gulliksen also lost their team bronze, since they lost Hansen's points. Switzerland ended up taking the bronze, while the US won gold and Canada silver. "We think this is all very sad, but now it's finally over," the president of the Norwegian equestrian association, Kristin Kloster Aasen, told Aftenposten.no. "Now we just have to move forward."
(Written December 4, 2009)
Downhill racer joins sponsorship controversy
Norwegian cross-country skier Petter Northug isn't the only local athlete catching flak for taking on the so-called "energy drink" Red Bull as a sponsor (see items below). Now slalom star Aksel Lund Svindal is also being criticized for considering a new sponsorship deal with Red Bull. The drink was banned in Norway until earlier this year, because authorities claimed it had too much caffeine. Top athletic officials have said it's not an appropriate sponsor for sports stars because they're supposed to be role models for children and youth. Svindal, who's in Beaver Creek, Colorado this week for the FIS Audi Birds of Prey World Cup competition, seems to be shrugging off the complaints. "There's more caffeine in cola than in Red Bull," he told newspaper Aftenposten. He hasn't signed a contract with Red Bull yet.
(Written December 3, 2009)
Norwegian cross-country skier Petter Northug isn't the only local athlete catching flak for taking on the so-called "energy drink" Red Bull as a sponsor (see items below). Now slalom star Aksel Lund Svindal is also being criticized for considering a new sponsorship deal with Red Bull. The drink was banned in Norway until earlier this year, because authorities claimed it had too much caffeine. Top athletic officials have said it's not an appropriate sponsor for sports stars because they're supposed to be role models for children and youth. Svindal, who's in Beaver Creek, Colorado this week for the FIS Audi Birds of Prey World Cup competition, seems to be shrugging off the complaints. "There's more caffeine in cola than in Red Bull," he told newspaper Aftenposten. He hasn't signed a contract with Red Bull yet.
(Written December 3, 2009)
