Siiri RANTANEN

Siiri Rantanen was one of the most successful Finnish female athletes of the 1950s and probably is still the most successful Finnish female cross-country skier. Rantanen made her international début at the 1952 Olympic Winter Games, where she won bronze in the 10 km. She next competed at the 1954 World Championships, where she took two silvers, in the 10 km and relay. At the 1956 Winter Olympics, Rantanen won her only international gold medal in the relay. She was also fifth in the 10 km at those Olympics. At the 1958 World Championships, Rantanen took another silver in the relay and was third over 10 km. In 1960 she competed in her third Olympics and medaled again, taking a bronze in the relay. Her last international appearance came at the 1962 World Championships, where she won a bronze in the relay, was fourth at 5 km and seventh in the 10 km. Domestically Rantanen won six individual Finnish titles (10 km in 1954, 1957-58; 5 km in 1960-1962) and five relay titles (1952, 1958-1961). Rantanen also won three Finnish titles in athletics (1960 in cross-country running and in 1961 in the 3x800 m relay and cross-country running team event) and one Finnish title in the 1961 50 km bicycle road race. She also won the 10 km races at the Lahti Ski Games in 1953, 1959 and 1961, at Ounasvaara in 1953, 1957-59 and 1961 and in Puijo in 1950, 1954 and 1961. She was selected as the Finnish female athlete of the year in 1954, 1956, 1958, and 1959. By profession Rantanen was an upholsterer, but she also continued competing until her 80s. She was the best female competitor in Finlandiahiihto in 1976 and 1977 and last took part in Finlandiahiihto in 1996, at 71-years-old.