Junior World Champion 1990 and 1991. During the World Junior Championships in Calgary 1991 he set 4 new junior world records, one senior world record in the small combination, and he climbed into 5th position on the Adelskalender. This world record would last six years, and it was the first world record to be beaten after the klapskates were introduced.

He won a surprise European title on his home ground in 1992, but he disappointed during the Olympic Games later this year, winning only a silver medal on the 5000 m. The following year he won both the European and the World Championships. During the 1994 Olympic Games at Hamar he had three top 4 positions, but once again no gold medals.

He continued skating on a high international level until 1997/98, but he could never copy the success of his first senior years. He did not qualify for the 1998 Olympics and quit skating after this season.

Winner of the Oscar 1993.

#1 on the Adelskalender: 23 January 1993 ñ 13 March 1993

By Bjarte Hetland, last updated January 16, 2006