Edward WANGBERG

Edward Wangberg from Trondheim was unmerited as a speed skater before the 1936 season. He started in his first national championship in 1936, beginning with a fall on the opening 500 and placing seventh in the 5,000 metres. The next day he surprised by placing third in the 10,000, only beaten by the famous stars Ivar Ballangrud and Charles Mathiesen. The Norwegian Skating Association then decided to enter this new long-distance man for the European Championships in Oslo three weeks later. Here Wangberg created a major sensation in the 5,000 m race, placing second just behind former world record holder Max Stiepl with a time of 8:21.8 and beating the recent world record holder and European champion Ballangrud with 7.1 seconds. Wangberg was then selected for the Winter Olympics for the two longest distances, but lost his form and placed only 20th and 18th at the Olympics. In 1937 he placed seventh at the World Championships in Oslo, placing fourth in both 5,000 and 10,000 m. In 1939 he moved to Hamar, and placed third in the Norwegian Championships in 1939 and 1940, winning the 5 and 10K in 1939. After World War II he participated in the 1947 national championships, unable to retain his pre-war level.

Personal Best: 500 – 44.7 (1939); 1500 – 2:23.6 (1937); 5000 – 8:21.8 (1936); 10000 – 17:33.4 (1939).