Bente Skari
Encyclopedia
Bente Skari, née Martinsen, (born 10 September 1972 in Oslo
) is a former cross country skier from Nittedal
, Norway
. She is one of the most successful cross country skiers ever.
, coming from behind to beat the favourites Olga Danilova
and Julija Tchepalova
in the last kilometers of the 10 km classical event. She also won a bronze medal in 30 km classical as well as a silver medal in the relay.
Additionally, she won five gold medals (5 km: 1999, 10 km: 2001, 2003, and 15 km: 2001, 2003) from the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
, as well as two silver (4 x 5 km: 1997, 2001) medals. She won the overall cross-country skiing World Cup four times before retiring after the 2002/2003 season.
Skari also won the women's 30 km event at the Holmenkollen ski festival
in 2003. In 2001 she received the Holmenkollen medal
(shared with Adam Małysz and Thomas Alsgaard
). Her father, Odd Martinsen
, earned the Holmenkollen medal
in 1969. They are the only father-daughter combination to ever win this prestigious honour.
, working as an assistant technical delegate in the events held in the Czech Republic
. This is part of the Norwegian Ski Federation
's effort to promote more women in management positions in skiing.
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
) is a former cross country skier from Nittedal
Nittedal
Nittedal is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Romerike. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Rotnes....
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. She is one of the most successful cross country skiers ever.
Career
She won her first Olympic medals in 1998, and won her first gold medal in the 2002 Winter OlympicsCross-country skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics
The cross-country skiing events at the 2002 Winter Olympics were marred by drug problems. The winners of three races were disqualified after blood tests showed that three skiers had overly high red blood cell counts indicating the use of darbepoetin, a drug used to treat anemia...
, coming from behind to beat the favourites Olga Danilova
Olga Danilova
Olga Danilova is a Russian cross country skier who competed from 1991 until she was banned for using performance enhancing drugs in 2002...
and Julija Tchepalova
Julija Tchepalova
Yuliya Chepalova is a Russian cross-country skier.-Early and current personal life:Daughter of a cross-country skiing coach, Chepalova started to ski as soon as she began to walk...
in the last kilometers of the 10 km classical event. She also won a bronze medal in 30 km classical as well as a silver medal in the relay.
Additionally, she won five gold medals (5 km: 1999, 10 km: 2001, 2003, and 15 km: 2001, 2003) from the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships have been held in various numbers and types of events since 1925 for men and since 1954 for women. Championship events include nordic skiing's three disciplines: cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and nordic combined...
, as well as two silver (4 x 5 km: 1997, 2001) medals. She won the overall cross-country skiing World Cup four times before retiring after the 2002/2003 season.
Skari also won the women's 30 km event at the Holmenkollen ski festival
Holmenkollen ski festival
The Holmenkollen Ski Festival is a traditional annual Nordic skiing event in Holmenkollen, Oslo, Norway. The full official name of the event is Holmenkollen FIS World Cup Nordic. It takes place in March and has been arranged every year since 1892, except for 1898 and during World War II...
in 2003. In 2001 she received the Holmenkollen medal
Holmenkollen medal
The Holmenkollen medal is Norwegian skiing's highest award for competitors. It signifies top placings in international championships and other international events, including the Holmenkollen events....
(shared with Adam Małysz and Thomas Alsgaard
Thomas Alsgaard
Thomas Alsgaard is a retired Norwegian cross-country skier. Alsgaard is regarded by many as the best performer of the skate-style in cross-country skiing and many of today's best skiers have studied his technique...
). Her father, Odd Martinsen
Odd Martinsen
Odd Martinsen was a Norwegian cross country skier who competed during the 1960s and 1970's. He won three medals at the Winter Olympics, a gold in the 4 x 10 km relay , and silvers in the 30 km and the 4 x 10 km relay...
, earned the Holmenkollen medal
Holmenkollen medal
The Holmenkollen medal is Norwegian skiing's highest award for competitors. It signifies top placings in international championships and other international events, including the Holmenkollen events....
in 1969. They are the only father-daughter combination to ever win this prestigious honour.
FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2011
In 2007, Skari was named as the first woman race administrator in cross country skiing. She assisted in the 2007-08 Tour de Ski2007-08 Tour de Ski
The 2007–08 Tour de Ski took place from 28 December 2007 until 6 January 2008. The race kicked off in Nové Město, the Czech Republic, and finished in Val di Fiemme, Italy, ten days later...
, working as an assistant technical delegate in the events held in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. This is part of the Norwegian Ski Federation
Norwegian Ski Federation
The Norwegian Ski Federation or Norges Skiforbund, is an organization devoted to skiing in Norway. Headquartered in Oslo, it is the national representative of the International Ski Federation....
's effort to promote more women in management positions in skiing.