Alv GJESTVANG

Alv Gjestvang was a sprinter in an era where separate sprinting competitions were non-existent. On two occasions, Gjestvang qualified for the World Championships, placing third in the 500 m in both 1956 and 1959. His best results, however, came at the Olympics. At the Cortina Games, the 18-year-old prevented an all-Soviet podium by winning the bronze. Eight years later, he was involved in a three-way tie for silver, skating the fastest race of his life with 40.6. At the Norwegian Championships, Gjestvang never qualified for the final distance, but collected six distance wins in the 500 m between 1959 and 1965. He later ran a barbershop in Lillehammer, site of the 1994 Olympics.

Personal Bests: 500 – 40.6 (1964); 1500 – 2:14.2 (1960); 5000 – 8:35.1 (1958); 10000 – 18:19.2 (1958).