Hans Engnestangen
Encyclopedia
Hans Engnestangen (March 28, 1908 – May 9, 2003) was a Norwegian
speed skater
and world champion. He held the world records on both the 500 and 1500 meter distance for more than ten years.
He hailed from Brandbu
, but represented the speed skating club Hamar IL
.
he participated in the 10000 metres event
but was eliminated in the heats.
Four years later he finished eights in the 1500 metres competition
. He also participated in the 500 metres event
but did not finish.
Engnestangen won a gold medal at the 1933 World Allround Speed Skating Championships for Men
, and a bronze medal in 1935. He won the 500m distance in 1933, 1938 and 1939, and the 1500m in 1937 and 1938.
He received a silver medal at the 1937 European Allround Championships
, where he also won the 500m distance.
's previous world record on 500m speedskating, with 42.5, a record which lasted until 1936. Engnestangen improved the time in January 1937 (42.3), and again in February 1938 (41.8). The last record was unbeaten for 14 years, until 1952.
In January 1939 Engnestangen improved the 1500m time with the new world record 2:13.8. The record was unbeaten for 13 years, until 1952.
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...
speed skater
Speed skating
Speed skating, or speedskating is a competitive form of ice skating in which the competitors race each other in traveling a certain distance on skates. Types of speed skating are long track speed skating, short track speed skating, and marathon speed skating...
and world champion. He held the world records on both the 500 and 1500 meter distance for more than ten years.
He hailed from Brandbu
Brandbu
Brandbu is a village in the municipality of Gran in Oppland county, Norway.Brandbu is located in the traditional district of Hadeland. It was earlier known as "Augedalsbro" . Locals still commonly refer to the village as "Brua" . Brandbu was a parish in earlier times and later a municipality of...
, but represented the speed skating club Hamar IL
Hamar IL
Hamar Idrettslag is a Norwegian sports club from Hamar. It has sections for bandy, curling, association football, athletics, sport shooting, rowing, speed skating, diving, swimming, tennis and gymnastics....
.
International championships
At the 1932 Winter Olympics1932 Winter Olympics
The 1932 Winter Olympics, officially known as the III Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1932 in Lake Placid, New York, United States. The games opened on February 4 and closed on February 15. It would be the first winter olympics held in the United...
he participated in the 10000 metres event
Speed skating at the 1932 Winter Olympics - Men's 10000 metres
The 10000 metres speed skating event was part of the speed skating at the 1932 Winter Olympics programme. The competition was held on Friday, February 5, 1932, on Saturday, February 6, 1932, and on Monday, February 8, 1932....
but was eliminated in the heats.
Four years later he finished eights in the 1500 metres competition
Speed skating at the 1936 Winter Olympics - Men's 1500 metres
The 1500 metres speed skating event was part of the speed skating at the 1936 Winter Olympics programme. The competition was held on Thursday, February 13, 1936.Thirty-seven speed skaters from 15 nations competed.-Medalists:-Records:...
. He also participated in the 500 metres event
Speed skating at the 1936 Winter Olympics - Men's 500 metres
The 500 metres speed skating event was part of the speed skating at the 1936 Winter Olympics programme. The competition was held on Tuesday, February 11, 1936.Thirty-six speed skaters from 14 nations competed.-Medalists:-Records:...
but did not finish.
Engnestangen won a gold medal at the 1933 World Allround Speed Skating Championships for Men
World Allround Speed Skating Championships for Men
The International Skating Union has organised the World Allround Speed Skating Championships for Men since 1893. Unofficial Championships were held in the years 1889-1892.-History:-Distances used:...
, and a bronze medal in 1935. He won the 500m distance in 1933, 1938 and 1939, and the 1500m in 1937 and 1938.
He received a silver medal at the 1937 European Allround Championships
European Speed Skating Championships for Men
The International Skating Union has organised the European Speed Skating Championships for Men since 1893. Unofficial Championships were held in the years 1891-1892.-History:-Distances used:...
, where he also won the 500m distance.
World records
In January 1933 Engnestangen improved Clas ThunbergClas Thunberg
Arnold Clas Robert Thunberg was a Finnish speed skater who won five Olympic gold medals – three at the inaugural Winter Olympics held in Chamonix in 1924 and two at the 1928 Winter Olympics held in St. Moritz...
's previous world record on 500m speedskating, with 42.5, a record which lasted until 1936. Engnestangen improved the time in January 1937 (42.3), and again in February 1938 (41.8). The last record was unbeaten for 14 years, until 1952.
In January 1939 Engnestangen improved the 1500m time with the new world record 2:13.8. The record was unbeaten for 13 years, until 1952.