50 kilometres, Men1

Nils Karlsson, nicknamed “Mora-Nisse” after his birthplace Mora in Dalarna, was a national ski hero in Sweden, and a specialist in the longer distances, winning the famous Vasaloppet nine times between 1943-1953. After his disappointing fifth place in the 18 km., he did not compete in the relay and could fully concentrate on his favorite event, the 50 km. race.

This time Mora-Nisse started a little more cautiously and was able to finish in excellent shape, winning by almost five minutes ahead of the silver medalist Harald Eriksson, a clubmate of the 18 km. winner, Martin Lundström. The Vanninen brothers from Finland finished in third and fourth place, Benjamin securing the bronze medal half a minute ahead of the ten-years older Pekka, both around 10 minutes behind the winner. For the Norwegians, the race turned out to be another national catastrophe, their best skier placing ninth, almost half an hour behind the winner. One skier, Arthur Herrdin (SWE), had to retire due to hypothermia.