Magdalena Forsberg
Encyclopedia
Magdalena "Magda" Forsberg (born July 25, 1967 in Ullånger
, Västernorrland County
as Magdalena Wallin) is a former Swedish
cross country skier and biathlete
. She was the dominating female biathlete from 1997 to 2002, when she retired, winning the Biathlon World Cup
for six years straight. She is also a six-times world champion, a two-times Olympic bronze medalist, and holds the record for the most World Cup victories in women's biathlon.
She has been married to Henrik Forsberg
since 1996, also a biathlete and cross country skier.
in 1992
where she finished seventh in the 4×5 km relay and 26th in the 15 km event.
Forsberg's best individual finish at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
was tenth in the 30 km event at Lahti
in 1989. In 1987 she was in the Swedish team that finished third in the 4x5 km relay. Her best World cup finish was second in a 10 km event in Finland
in 1988.
from 1997 to 2002. She also won six gold medals in the World Championships
, became runner-up once, and placed third five times. At the 2002 Winter Olympic Games
, Forsberg won two bronze medails. In her career she managed a total of 42 individual Biathlon World Cup
wins, which is more than any other female biathlete to date.
Magdalena Forsberg retired from active sports after the 2001–02 season. After being retired for four years she made a temporary comeback in April 2006 due to losing a bet. The bet said Forsberg would enter the Swedish Championship in Women's Relay would fellow biathlon skier Anna Carin Olofsson-Zidek win an Olympic gold in Turin
. The duo went on to win the competition, Forsberg finishing first in the first-leg and Olofsson extending their lead in the second.
both as a biathlete and as a cross country skier. She is the only Swedish athlete to have won Jerringpriset four times.
Ullånger
Ullånger is a locality situated in Kramfors Municipality, Västernorrland County, Sweden with 606 inhabitants in 2005....
, Västernorrland County
Västernorrland County
Västernorrland County is a county or län in the north of Sweden. It is bordered by the counties of Gävleborg, Jämtland, Västerbotten and the Gulf of Bothnia.- Province :...
as Magdalena Wallin) is a former Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
cross country skier and biathlete
Biathlon
Biathlon is a term used to describe any sporting event made up of two disciplines. However, biathlon usually refers specifically to the winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting...
. She was the dominating female biathlete from 1997 to 2002, when she retired, winning the Biathlon World Cup
Biathlon World Cup
The Biathlon World Cup has been held since the winter seasons of 1977/78 and 1982/83, for men and women, respectively ....
for six years straight. She is also a six-times world champion, a two-times Olympic bronze medalist, and holds the record for the most World Cup victories in women's biathlon.
She has been married to Henrik Forsberg
Henrik Forsberg
Henrik Forsberg was a Swedish cross country skier and biathlete who competed from 1988 to 2001. Competing in four Winter Olympics, he earned his best finishes at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville in cross country skiing with a fourth in the 4 x 10 km relay and ninth in the 10 km +...
since 1996, also a biathlete and cross country skier.
Cross country skiing
Forsberg competed as a cross country skier from 1988 to 1996. Her best results at the Winter Olympics were in AlbertvilleAlbertville
Albertville is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.The town is best known for hosting the 1992 Winter Olympics.-Geography:...
in 1992
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
where she finished seventh in the 4×5 km relay and 26th in the 15 km event.
Forsberg's best individual finish at 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...
was tenth in the 30 km event at Lahti
Lahti
Lahti is a city and municipality in Finland.Lahti is the capital of the Päijänne Tavastia region. It is situated on a bay at the southern end of lake Vesijärvi about north-east of the capital Helsinki...
in 1989. In 1987 she was in the Swedish team that finished third in the 4x5 km relay. Her best World cup finish was second in a 10 km event in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
in 1988.
Biathlon
Competing from 1993 to 2002, Forsberg won six straight overall wins in the Biathlon World CupBiathlon World Cup
The Biathlon World Cup has been held since the winter seasons of 1977/78 and 1982/83, for men and women, respectively ....
from 1997 to 2002. She also won six gold medals in the World Championships
Biathlon World Championships
The first Biathlon World Championships was held in 1958, with individual and team contests for men. The number of events has grown significantly over the years. Beginning in 1984, women biathletes had their own World Championships, and finally, from 1989, both genders have been participating in...
, became runner-up once, and placed third five times. At the 2002 Winter Olympic Games
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
, Forsberg won two bronze medails. In her career she managed a total of 42 individual Biathlon World Cup
Biathlon World Cup
The Biathlon World Cup has been held since the winter seasons of 1977/78 and 1982/83, for men and women, respectively ....
wins, which is more than any other female biathlete to date.
Magdalena Forsberg retired from active sports after the 2001–02 season. After being retired for four years she made a temporary comeback in April 2006 due to losing a bet. The bet said Forsberg would enter the Swedish Championship in Women's Relay would fellow biathlon skier Anna Carin Olofsson-Zidek win an Olympic gold in Turin
2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
. The duo went on to win the competition, Forsberg finishing first in the first-leg and Olofsson extending their lead in the second.
Other honors
Forsberg competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
both as a biathlete and as a cross country skier. She is the only Swedish athlete to have won Jerringpriset four times.