Asser Wallenius

Finnish sportsman Asser Wallenius competed on the ice in speed skating before having a career in motor racing. In 1922 Wallenius won bronze in the all-round event at the European Speed Skating Championships. With his consistent performances he earned a place on the Olympic team for the 1924 Chamonix Games where he competed in five events. His best result came in the 500 metres, finishing fifth, just two-tenths of a second from winning a medal. After retiring from speed skating Wallenius turned to motor racing where he became a pioneer of the sport in Finland in the 1930s. In 1932 he came fifth in the Finnish Grand Prix, the first race of its type to be staged in the country. He competed in other races across northern Europe, including the 1933 Swedish Summer Grand Prix and the 1935 Estonian Grand Prix.

Personal Bests: 500 – 44.4 (1924); 1500 – 2:22.2 (1924); 5000 – 9:02.7 (1922); 10000 – 18:41.2 (1924).