Sigmund Søfteland

Born on the West Norwegian island of Søfteland, Sigmund Søfteland was active as a gymnast and footballer in his early youth. Only starting skating in 1947, he was an outsider to earn a ticket for St. Moritz 1948, but he wasn’t selected. Søftelund, who excelled in the short distances and thus never appeared in the international allround competitions, did make the Norwegian team when the Winter Games came to Norway. An outsider for the medals, his chances were spoiled by three false starts in his pair, eventually placing 10th. In his second Olympic appearance, four years later, he would place 16th. Søfteland ended his career after the 1958 season to focus on work and family, but remained active in speed skating, and would occasionally still race.

Personal Bests: 500 – 42.0 (1955); 1500 – 2:17.7 (1956); 5000 – 8:57.6 (1951); 10000 – 18:39.8 (1951).