Bjørn Dæhlie

Bjørn Erlend Dæhlie (born 19 June 1967) is a Norwegian businessman and retired cross-country skier. From 1992 to 1999, Dæhlie won the Nordic World Cup six times, finishing second in 1994 and 1998.[1] Dæhlie won a total of 29 medals in the Olympics and World Championships between 1991 and 1999, making him the most successful male cross-country skier in history.

Bjørn Dæhlie
Bjørn Dæhlie in January 2011
Country Norway
Full nameBjørn Erlend Dæhlie
Born (1967-06-19) 19 June 1967
Elverum, Norway
Height1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Ski clubNannestad IL
World Cup career
Seasons11 – (1989–1999)
Individual wins46
Team wins16
Indiv. podiums81
Team podiums27
Indiv. starts127
Overall titles6 – (1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999)
Discipline titles2 – (2 SP)
Medal record
Men's cross-country skiing
Representing  Norway
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place1992 Albertville10 km + 15 km
combined pursuit
Gold medal – first place1992 Albertville50 km freestyle
Gold medal – first place1992 Albertville4 × 10 km relay
Gold medal – first place1994 Lillehammer10 km classical
Gold medal – first place1994 Lillehammer10 km + 15 km
combined pursuit
Gold medal – first place1998 Nagano10 km classical
Gold medal – first place1998 Nagano50 km freestyle
Gold medal – first place1998 Nagano4 × 10 km relay
Silver medal – second place1992 Albertville30 km classical
Silver medal – second place1994 Lillehammer30 km freestyle
Silver medal – second place1994 Lillehammer4 × 10 km relay
Silver medal – second place1998 Nagano10 km + 15 km
combined pursuit
World Championships
Gold medal – first place1991 Val di Fiemme15 km freestyle
Gold medal – first place1991 Val di Fiemme4 × 10 km relay
Gold medal – first place1993 Falun30 km classical
Gold medal – first place1993 Falun10 km + 15 km
combined pursuit
Gold medal – first place1993 Falun4 × 10 km relay
Gold medal – first place1995 Thunder Bay4 × 10 km relay
Gold medal – first place1997 Trondheim10 km classical
Gold medal – first place1997 Trondheim10 km + 15 km
combined pursuit
Gold medal – first place1997 Trondheim4 × 10 km relay
Silver medal – second place1995 Thunder Bay10 km classical
Silver medal – second place1995 Thunder Bay30 km classical
Silver medal – second place1995 Thunder Bay50 km freestyle
Silver medal – second place1997 Trondheim30 km freestyle
Silver medal – second place1999 Ramsau4 × 10 km relay
Bronze medal – third place1993 Falun50 km freestyle
Bronze medal – third place1997 Trondheim50 km classical
Bronze medal – third place1999 Ramsau30 km freestyle

During his career, Dæhlie measured a VO2 max of 96 ml/kg/min.[2] Dæhlie's result was achieved out of season, and physiologist Erlend Hem who was responsible for the testing stated that he would not discount the possibility of the skier passing 100 ml/kg/min at his absolute peak.

Since retiring, Dæhlie has become a successful businessman in real estate and fashion. His real estate investments have produced a fortune of more than half a billion kroner.[3]

Early life and career

Born in Elverum, Norway, Dæhlie later moved to Nannestad, where he settled down. Dæhlie attributes much of his success in sports to his upbringing where he was active in hunting, fishing, hiking, kayaking, football and, of course, skiing from a very early age. For much of his childhood Dæhlie wanted to be a football player, but after being prompted by a coach, he tried Nordic skiing. Dæhlie did not have immediate success as a junior racer, but he consistently improved and eventually qualified for the FIS World Cup competitions.

In 2018 he claimed that his family comes from Alvdal; the claim was made while answering the public during a meeting prior to getting municipal recommendation in regard to building what media calls "his Coop store" - a store in the chain Coop.[4]

Athletic career

Dæhlie was first on the Norwegian skiing team for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada. However, he did not participate in any races and was there to learn from more senior skiers. He later claimed these Olympics were the turning point for Norwegian skiing before their following period of success.[5] He made his debut in the World Cup in January 1989, finishing 11th on 15 km freestyle in Kavgolovo. In December the same year, he won his first World Cup race. He finished first on the 15 km freestyle, the first World Cup race of the season.[6]

In the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1991 in Val di Fiemme, Dæhlie won his first World Championship gold medal. He beat skiing legend Gunde Svan on the 15 km freestyle. The medal was unexpected, since Dæhlie was young and still unknown.[7] It was Norway's first individual male gold medal in the World Championships since Oddvar Brå won gold in the same race in Oslo in 1982. Dæhlie also skied the last leg on the winning 4 × 10 km relay team.

In 1992, Dæhlie's period of dominance started. He won the World Cup overall for the first time, a feat he would accomplish five more times in the next seven years. In Albertville Dæhlie won his first Olympic medals. He won gold in 10/15 km freestyle pursuit, 50 km freestyle and was on the winning team for the 4 × 10 km relay. He won a silver in 30 km classical style. Dæhlie also finished fourth on the 10 km freestyle, where his teammate Vegard Ulvang won the gold. Dæhlie completed the fourth leg of the relay, and crossed the finishing line backwards, having won by a margin of over one and a half minutes.[8] Dæhlie and Ulvang completed a clean sweep of the cross-country skiing gold medals, each winning three golds and a silver. Dæhlie was awarded Fearnley's Olympic Prize for his performance, a prize given to the best performing Norwegian athlete in the Olympics.[9]

In the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, Dæhlie won gold in the 10 km classical style and the 15 km freestyle pursuit. He won silver in the 30 km freestyle, where he was beaten by Thomas Alsgaard. The 4 × 10 km relay was a very tight race between Norway and Italy. The Italians won the gold after Silvio Fauner beat Dæhlie on the sprint on the last leg.[10] In later years, Thomas Alsgaard took over the fourth leg on the Norwegian relay team with Dæhlie skiing the third leg, since Alsgaard was the better sprinter.

The 1997 Skiing World Championships were Dæhlie's most successful World Championships. In front of the home crowd in Trondheim he won a medal in every race, taking gold in the 10 km classical race, the 10+15 km combined pursuit and the 4 × 10 km relay. In addition he won a silver in the 30 km freestyle and bronze in the 50 km classical. Dæhlie said the championships were like "Lillehammer all over again" and that "For me, it's very special to compete in Norway".[11]

Dæhlie won three golds and one silver in his last Olympics in Nagano. He won the 10 km classical style, the 50 km freestyle and the 4 × 10 km skiing relay. In the 15 km freestyle pursuit, he got a silver medal having been beaten by Thomas Alsgaard on the sprint. Dæhlie won the 50 km freestyle ahead of Niklas Jonsson by only eight seconds. Both skiers collapsed on the finishing line, having given everything in pursuit of victory.[12] Dæhlie described the race as his hardest race ever.[13] Dæhlie also formed a lasting friendship with Phillip Boit, the Kenyan skier. Dæhlie waited for Boit on the finish line for 20 minutes following the 10 km race, saying Boit deserved encouragement.[14] Philip went on to name one of his children Dæhlie Boit.

Dæhlie was planning to compete in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, but he was prevented from participating by a career-ending roller skiing accident in August 1999. The resulting back injury prevented Dæhlie from adding more medals to his collection. He retired from the sport in March 2001, having tried extensive rehabilitation and surgery to come back.[15] His decision to retire shocked the nation of Norway, where Dæhlie was idolized for his great winning record.[16]

Dæhlie's eight Olympic titles are a record for the Winter Olympics, as are his total of 12 Olympic medals (he also won four silver medals) which he amassed in three Olympics (Albertville, Lillehammer and Nagano). In addition to his achievements at the Olympics he had great success in the World Championships where he won 17 medals of which nine were gold medals. He was particularly successful in the Trondheim 1997 World Championships, where he earned medals in all five events. Despite his unanticipated early exit from the sport, Dæhlie is considered by many to be one of the greatest Winter Olympic athletes of all time.[17] In his illustrious career, Dæhlie never won a race at the Holmenkollen ski festival, but he was still awarded the Holmenkollen medal in 1997 (shared with Bjarte Engen Vik and Stefania Belmondo).

He also supports non-profit organisations that work for causes such as multiple sclerosis.[18] In 2009 Dæhlie raced in the American Birkebeiner as a fundraiser for multiple sclerosis. Dæhlie competed in the classic race, which is 54 km long, finishing second in a photo finish.

In 2011, Dæhlie won the downhill event in the Kicksled World Championships in Hurdal.[19] Also in 2011, Dæhlie announced a comeback, stating his intention to participate in long-distance races like Marcialonga and Vasaloppet[20]

Dæhlie also participated in long-distance running in his youth, representing Ullensaker/Kisa IL. He participated in the Nordic junior match versus Denmark/Iceland, Finland and Sweden in 1987.[21]

Cross-country skiing results

All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).[22]

Olympic Games
  • 12 medals – (8 gold, 4 silver)
 Year   Age   10 km   Pursuit   15 km   30 km   50 km   4 × 10 km 
 relay 
198820———–——
1992244Gold—SilverGoldGold
199426GoldGold—Silver4Silver
199830GoldSilver—20GoldGold

World Championships
  • 17 medals – (9 gold, 5 silver, 3 bronze)
 Year   Age   10 km   15 km 
 classical 		  15 km 
 freestyle 		  Pursuit   30 km   50 km   4 × 10 km 
 relay 
198921——20——12—
1991239—Gold—–4Gold
1993254——GoldGoldBronzeGold
199527Silver——5SilverSilverGold
199729Gold——GoldSilverBronzeGold
1999315——6Bronze–Silver

Season titles
  • 8 titles – (6 overall, 2 sprint)
Season
Discipline
1992Overall
1993Overall
1995Overall
1996Overall
1997Overall
Sprint
1999Overall
Sprint

Season standings
 Season   Age  Overall Long Distance Sprint
19892114——
1990223——
1991233——
1992241——
1993251——
1994262——
1995271——
1996281——
199729121
199830222
199931121

Individual podiums
  • 46 victories
  • 81 podiums
No. Season Date Location Race Level Place
11989–909 December 1989United States Soldier Hollow, United States15 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
216 December 1989Canada Canmore, Canada15 km Individual FWorld Cup2nd
317 February 1990Switzerland Campra, Switzerland15 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
421 February 1990Italy Val di Fiemme, Italy30 km Individual CWorld Cup3rd
53 March 1990Finland Lahti, Finland15 km + 15 km Pursuit F/CWorld Cup1st
6 1990–91 5 January 1991Soviet Union Minsk, Soviet Union15 km Individual FWorld Cup2nd
79 January 1991Czechoslovakia Štrbské Pleso, Czechoslovakia30 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
89 February 1991Italy Val di Fiemme, Italy15 km Individual FWorld Championships[1]1st
9 1991–92 7 December 1991Canada Silver Star, Canada15 km Pursuit CWorld Cup2nd
1014 December 1991Canada Thunder Bay, Canada30 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
114 January 1992Russia Kavgolovo, Russia30 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
1211 January 1992Italy Cogne, Italy15 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
1310 February 1992France Albertville, France30 km Individual COlympic Games[1]2nd
1415 February 199215 km Pursuit FOlympic Games[1]1st
1522 February 199250 km Individual FOlympic Games[1]1st
1629 February 1992Finland Lahti, Finland15 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
177 March 1992Sweden Funäsdalen, Sweden30 km Individual FWorld Cup2nd
181992–9313 December 1992Austria Ramsau, Austria15 km Pursuit CWorld Cup1st
193 January 1993Russia Kavgolovo, Russia30 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
209 January 1993Switzerland Ulrichen, Switzerland15 km Individual CWorld Cup3rd
2116 January 1993Slovenia Bohinj, Slovenia15 km Individual FWorld Cup3rd
2220 February 1993Sweden Falun, Sweden30 km Individual CWorld Championships[1]1st
2324 February 199315 km Pursuit FWorld Championships[1]1st
2428 February 199350 km Individual FWorld Championships[1]3rd
2519 March 1993Slovakia Štrbské Pleso, Slovakia15 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
261993–9418 December 1993Switzerland Davos, Switzerland15 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
2722 December 1993Italy Toblach, Italy15 km Pursuit FWorld Cup3rd
289 January 1994Russia Kavgolovo, Russia15 km Individual CWorld Cup2nd
2915 January 1994Norway Oslo, Norway15 km Individual FWorld Cup2nd
3014 February 1994Norway Lillehammer, Norway30 km Individual FOlympic Games[1]2nd
3117 February 199410 km Individual COlympic Games[1]1st
3219 February 199415 km Pursuit FOlympic Games[1]1st
335 March 1994Finland Lahti, Finland15 km Individual FWorld Cup2nd
341994–9527 November 1994Sweden Kiruna, Sweden10 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
3514 December 1994Austria Tauplitzalm, Austria15 km Individual CWorld Cup2nd
3617 December 1994Italy Sappada, Italy15 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
378 January 1995Sweden Östersund, Sweden30 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
3827 January 1995Finland Lahti, Finland15 km Individual FWorld Cup2nd
3929 January 199515 km Pursuit CWorld Cup3rd
404 February 1995Sweden Falun, Sweden30 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
419 March 1995Canada Thunder Bay, Canada30 km Individual CWorld Championships[1]2nd
4211 March 199510 km Individual CWorld Championships[1]2nd
4319 March 199550 km Individual FWorld Championships[1]2nd
4425 March 1995Japan Sapporo, Japan15 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
45 1995–96 26 November 1995Finland Vuokatti, Finland10 km Individual CWorld Cup2nd
4629 November 1995Sweden Gällivare, Sweden10 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
479 December 1995Switzerland Davos, Switzerland30 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
4813 December 1995Italy Brusson, Italy15 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
4916 December 1995Italy Santa Caterina, Italy10 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
5017 December 199515 km Pursuit FWorld Cup1st
519 January 1996Slovakia Štrbské Pleso, Slovakia50 km Individual FWorld Cup2nd
522 February 1996Austria Seefeld, Austria10 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
5310 February 1996Russia Kavgolovo, Russia15 km Individual CWorld Cup3rd
5424 February 1996Norway Trondheim, Norway30 km Individual FWorld Cup2nd
553 March 1996Finland Lahti, Finland30 km Individual FWorld Cup2nd
569 March 1996Sweden Falun, Sweden10 km Individual FWorld Cup2nd
571996–9723 November 1996Sweden Kiruna, Sweden10 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
5814 December 1996Italy Brusson, Italy15 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
5918 December 1996Germany Oberstdorf, Germany30 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
6021 February 1997Norway Trondheim, Norway30 km Individual FWorld Championships[1]2nd
6124 February 199710 km Individual CWorld Championships[1]1st
6225 February 199715 km Pursuit FWorld Championships[1]1st
632 March 199750 km Individual CWorld Championships[1]3rd
648 March 1997Sweden Falun, Sweden15 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
6511 March 1997Sweden Sunne, Sweden1.0 km Sprint FWorld Cup1st
6615 March 1997Norway Oslo, Norway50 km Individual FWorld Cup3rd
671997–9822 November 1997Norway Beitostølen, Norway10 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
6813 December 1997Italy Val di Fiemme, Italy10 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
6914 December 199715 km Pursuit FWorld Cup1st
7016 December 199715 km Individual FWorld Cup3rd
7120 December 1997Switzerland Davos, Switzerland30 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
7214 March 1998Norway Oslo, Norway50 km Individual CWorld Cup3rd
73 1998–99 28 November 1998Finland Muonio, Finland10 km Individual FWorld Cup2nd
7412 December 1998Italy Toblach, Italy10 km Individual FWorld Cup1st
7513 December 199815 km Pursuit CWorld Cup1st
7619 December 1998Switzerland Davos, Switzerland30 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
779 January 1999Czech Republic Nové Město, Czech Republic15 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
7812 January 199930 km Individual FWorld Cup2nd
7919 February 1999Austria Ramsau, Austria30 km Individual FWorld Championships[1]3rd
807 March 1999Finland Lahti, Finland15 km Individual CWorld Cup1st
8120 March 1999Norway Oslo, Norway50 km Individual FWorld Cup2nd

Team podiums
  • 16 victories
  • 27 podiums
No. Season Date Location Race Level Place Teammates
1 1987–88 13 March 1988Sweden Falun, Sweden4 × 10 km Relay FWorld Cup2ndBjørn / Mikkelsplass / Ulvang
2 1988–89 5 March 1989Norway Oslo, Norway4 × 10 km Relay FWorld Cup3rdMikkelsplass / Ulvang / Langli
312 March 1989Sweden Falun, Sweden4 × 10 km Relay CWorld Cup3rdLangli / Mikkelsplass / Ulvang
41990–9115 February 1991Italy Val di Fiemme, Italy4 ×10 km Relay C/FWorld Championships[1]1stSkaanes / Langli / Ulvang
51 March 1991Finland Lahti, Finland4 × 10 km Relay C/FWorld Cup1stSkaanes / Langli / Skjeldal
61991–9218 February 1992France Albertville, France4 × 10 km Relay C/FOlympic Games[1]1stLangli / Ulvang / Skjeldal
728 February 1992Finland Lahti, Finland4 × 10 km Relay FWorld Cup2ndLangli / Ulvang / Skjeldal
88 March 1992Sweden Funäsdalen, Sweden4 × 10 km Relay CWorld Cup1stSivertsen / Langli / Ulvang
91992–9326 February 1993Sweden Falun, Sweden4 × 10 km Relay C/FWorld Championships[1]1stSivertsen / Ulvang / Langli
10 1993–94 22 February 1994Norway Lillehammer, Norway4 × 10 km Relay C/FOlympic Games[1]2ndSivertsen / Ulvang / Alsgaard
1113 March 1994Sweden Falun, Sweden4 × 10 km Relay FWorld Cup1stSivertsen / Jevne / Ulvang
121994–9518 December 1994Italy Sappada, Italy4 × 10 km Relay FWorld Cup1stKristiansen / Skjeldal / Alsgaard
135 February 1995Sweden Falun, Sweden4 × 10 km Relay FWorld Cup1stSivertsen / Langli / Alsgaard
1417 March 1995Canada Thunder Bay, Canada4 × 10 km Relay C/FWorld Championships[1]1stSivertsen / Jevne / Alsgaard
1526 March 1995Japan Sapporo, Japan4 × 10 km Relay C/FWorld Cup1stUlvang / Skjeldal / Alsgaard
16 1995–96 10 December 1995Switzerland Davos, Switzerland4 × 10 km Relay CWorld Cup2ndSivertsen / Jevne / Alsgaard
1714 January 1996Czech Republic Nové Město, Czech Republic4 × 10 km Relay CWorld Cup2ndAlsgaard / Ulvang / Jevne
1825 February 1996Norway Trondheim, Norway4 × 10 km Relay C/FWorld Cup1stUlvang / Jevne / Alsgaard
1917 March 1996Norway Oslo, Norway4 × 5 km Relay FWorld Cup2ndKristiansen / Ulvang / Eide
20 1996–97 24 November 1996Sweden Kiruna, Sweden4 × 10 km Relay CWorld Cup3rdSkjeldal / Eide / Ulvang
2115 December 1996Italy Brusson, Italy4 × 10 km Relay FWorld Cup1stKristiansen / Eide / Skjeldal
2228 February 1997Norway Trondheim, Norway4 × 10 km Relay C/FWorld Championships[1]1stSivertsen / Jevne / Alsgaard
239 March 1997Sweden Falun, Sweden4 × 10 km Relay C/FWorld Cup1stSivertsen / Jevne / Skjeldal
241997–9823 November 1997Norway Beitostølen, Norway4 × 10 km Relay CWorld Cup1stAlsgaard / Eide / Jevne
25 1998–99 29 November 1998Finland Muonio, Finland4 × 10 km Relay FWorld Cup2ndBjørndalen / Skjeldal / Hetland
2620 December 1998Switzerland Davos, Switzerland4 × 10 km Relay C/FWorld Cup1stJevne / Bjervig / Hetland
2726 February 1999Austria Ramsau, Austria4 × 10 km Relay C/FWorld Championships[1]2ndBjervig / Jevne / Alsgaard

Note: 1 Until the 1999 World Championships and the 1994 Olympics, World Championship and Olympic races were included in the World Cup scoring system.

See also

References
  1. "WINTER SPORTS – CROSS-COUNTRY; Norway's Daehlie Clinches World Cup". The New York Times. 8 March 1999.
  2. http://sport.aftenbladet.no/sport/sykkel/article250793.ece (in Norwegian)
  3. "Bjørn Dæhlie har doblet formuen på fem år". 6 November 2018.
  4. "Her får Bjørn Dæhlie bygge matbutikk". 18 June 2021.
  5. http://www.aftenposten.no/fakta/Det-har-gatt-helt-som-smurt-6534883.html (in Norwegian)
  6. http://www.nrk.no/sport/bjorn-daehlie-1.4759992 (in Norwegian)
  7. Aftenposten, 10 February 1991 (Norwegian newspaper)
  8. "WINTER OLYMPICS; Italians Silence Norsemen in Relay". The New York Times. 23 February 1994.
  9. "Fearnleys olympiske ærespris" (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  10. "'94 Winter Lillehammer Olympics : Italians Sneak a Victory : Nordic skiing: The strong Norwegian team is overcome near the finish in the men's 40k cross-country relay". Los Angeles Times. 23 February 1994.
  11. "Athlete profile: Bjorn Daehlie". CNN Sports Illustrated. 3 February 1998. Archived from the original on 5 May 2006.
  12. "Daehlie wins 50-km cross country for 3rd Nagano gold". The Shinano Mainichi Shimbun. 22 February 1998. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  13. "OLYMPICS; Still Burning To Compete, Daehlie Looks To 2002 Games". The New York Times. 29 November 1998.
  14. "BBC News | Cross Country Skiing | Kenyan finishes last, but wins respect".
  15. http://www.dagbladet.no/sport/2001/03/29/250122.html (in Norwegian)
  16. http://www.nrk.no/sport/bjorn-daehlie-1.4759992 (in Norwegian)
  17. "Björn Dæhlie". International Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 13 December 2010.
  18. "Tallying a Birkebeiner score card". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 23 February 2009.
  19. "Dæhlie på gulljakt - Nyheter - Innenriks - Aftenposten.no" (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 16 February 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
  20. http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/sport/Bjorn-Dahlie-gjor-comeback-5122729.html (in Norwegian)
  21. Hauge, Willy. "Landskamper Menn junior" (doc) (in Norwegian). Akershus District of Athletics. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  22. "DAEHLIE Bjoern". FIS-Ski. International Ski Federation. Retrieved 6 January 2020.

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