Geir KARLSTAD

Geir Karlstad got his career off to a promising start by winning the 1982 World Junior Championships. Being a long distance specialist, he would never be a close contender for allround championships, although he did finish 3rd in both the European and World Championships of 1989. In 1986, Karlstad first bettered a world record, which he would do four more times. At the test competitions for the Calgary Olympics, Karlstad became the first skater to beat 14 minutes over 10,000 m, having bettered the 5K world record two days prior. Unfortunately, he was unable to replicate these performances at the Games, placing 7th in the 5,000 m and falling in the longest event. Olympic glory came four years later, however, when Karlstad easily won the 5,000 m and placed third in the 10,000 m. A back injury led him to end his career, during which he had won two Norwegian allround titles (1989-90), 17 World Cup races, two long distances World Cups (1987, 1992), and the 1986 Oscar statue for outstanding speed skating performance. From 1998 through 2002, Karlstad served as the head coach of the Norwegian speed skating team.

Personal Bests: 500 – 39.41 (1992); 1000 – 1:22.5 (1981); 1500 – 1:55.24 (1992); 5000 – 6:43.59 (1988); 10000 – 13:48.29 (1992).