Arnold Uhrlass

Arnold Uhrlass was primarily a speed skater, but practised cycling in the summer. As a teen, he was also a local champion in distance running and baseball. Uhrlass mainly skated in the North American circuit, only competing in two international events. A long distance specialist, he qualified for the 5 and 10k at the 1960 Olympics in Squaw Valley. Three years later, he also appeared at the World Championships in Karuizawa (Japan). Closer to home, Uhrlass won many local and regional titles, culminating in the North American championship in 1961.

As a cyclist, his greatest victories were the 1957 Tour of Somerville and the 1961 Tour of Fitchburg. Seven years later, he was picked for the Olympic track cycling pursuit team, becoming the second American Olympian to compete in both cycling and speed skating. His career ended in 1968 after a fall on the ice, breaking his leg. Uhrlass recovered, but did not return to the sport, except as a coach. Uhrlass is an inductee of the Yonkers (NY) Sports Hall of Fame in 1977, the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame in 1997, and the US Speed Skating Hall of Fame in 2009.

In New York Uhrlass worked as a union carpenter. He and his wife later moved to Hendersonville, North Carolina in 1995.

Personal Bests: 500 – 42.6 (1963); 1500 – 2:13.9 (1963); 5000 – 8:10.4 (1963); 10000 – 16:49.3 (1960).