Magne THOMASSEN

An all-around skater with a good sprint, Magne Thomassen competed internationally for a decade. He medalled in every international championship category in which he competed, although he never managed to win a title. His greatest year was easily 1968. Not only did he win the Norwegian all-around championship, he also placed third in the European Championships. Thomassen also tied Terry McDermott for silver in the 500 metres at the Grenoble Olympics, placing fourth in the 1,500 m, having earlier broken the 1,500 m world record at Davos. He was close to becoming World All-Around Champion, still having a sufficient lead over Fred Anton Maier going into the last lap of the 10,000 m. In 1970, Thomassen again was runner-up at the Worlds, after also placing third at the inaugural World Sprint Championships. After his skating career ended Thomassen worked in a bank in Trondheim.

Personal Bests: 500 – 39.8 (1970); 1000 – 1:21.0 (1971); 1500 – 2:02.5 (1968); 5000 – 7:22.3 (1969); 10000 – 15:23.3 (1968).