Holmenkollen 50 km
The Holmenkollen 50 km is an annual cross-country skiing race held at Holmenkollen National Arena in Oslo, Norway. The competition is part of the Holmenkollen Ski Festival. The 50 km distance is raced by men only as the women's equivalent is a 30 km race.
Holmenkollen 50 km | |
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Frequency | annually |
Venue | Holmenkollen National Arena |
Location(s) | Holmenkollen, Oslo, Norway |
Inaugurated | 1898 |
Activity | Cross-country skiing |
Organised by | Holmenkollen Ski Festival |
![](../I/m/26651_Lauritz_Bergendahl.jpg)
Photo: Gabrielsen, ca. 1910 (Oslo Museum / Digitalt Museum)
![](../I/m/Oscar_Gj%C3%B8slien_01.jpeg)
Photo: S. Gran (Oslo Museum / Digitalt Museum)
History
The first 50 km race in Oslo was planned to be part of Husebyrennet i 1887, but was first held in 1888. Torjus Hemmestveit won the inaugural 50 km race. 17 skiers started the race, 12 finished. The course consisted of two laps of 25 km and started at the velodrome at Majorstuen.
The next long-distance race, a 30 km, was planned to be part of Holmenkollrennene in 1898, but was cancelled due to lack of snow. 30 km races were held in 1900 and 1901, and the winners of these races are widely recognised as Holmenkollen 50 km winners. Also the winner of the 1907 edition is recognised as a winner, even though the course length was only 40 km. The first Holmenkollen 50 km race was held in 1902. The course consisted of two laps of 25 kilometres, both started and finished at Frognerseteren. For safety reasons, all skiers had to stop for a five-minute rest. These required pauses was only mandatory in the 1902 edition.
In 1905, the 50 km race was again cancelled due to lack of snow. Holmenkollrennene (later known as Holmenkollen Ski Festival) were in 1909 a part of a common arrangement with the first Norwegian Championships in cross-country skiing, and since a 30 km race was held at Lillehammer in these championships, the 50 km race in Holmenkollen was not held. The first foreign competitors at the Holmenkollen 50 km were a number of Swedes participating in 1903. The first non-Norwegian to win the race was Finnish skier Anton Collin in 1922. Tapani Niku, also from Finland, finished in second place.
In 1925 was the 50 km cancelled due to lack of snow in the days before Holmenkollrennene. Holmenkollrennene was threatened by lack of snow also in 1932, but was held two weeks after schedule. Holmenkollrennene, including the 50 km were not held during the Second World War.
Oslo arranged the World Championships in 1930, 1966, 1982 and 2011. In all the World Championships held in Oslo, the Holmenkollen 50 km was arranged as a part of the World Championships. In 1952, a separate 50 km race was held two weeks after the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo. The individual races in the 1982 World Championships were a part of the 1981–82 Cross-Country World Cup, the first official World Cup season, and the Holmenkollen 50 km race has since been a part of the World Cup, with the exception in 1985 when the 50 km did not have World Cup status. The cross-country skiing events at the 2011 World Championships were not part of the World Cup, unlike the 1982 World Championships.
In the 1985–86 season, cross-country skiing started to distinguish techniques and arrange separate races in classic style and freestyle (skating). The 50 km in Holmenkollen has since been arranged in both techniques. Lack of snow hindered the Holmenkollrennene again in 1990 and 1992, which caused the 50 km to be moved to Vang. Lillehammer hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics, and no 50 km race was held in Holmenkollen that year. The Holmenkollen National Arena was reconstructed in 2009 to prepare for the 2011 World Championships and the 50 km was therefore replaced by a World Cup race in Trondheim. Since 2010, the Holmenkollen 50 km has been competed with a mass start.
Records
Lauritz Bergendahl has the three biggest winning margins in the Holmenkollen 50 km. In 1914, he won by 22 minutes 39 seconds down to Elling Rønes. The following year, Bergendahl skied 21 minutes 36 seconds faster than second-placed Embret Mellesmo. He won by 17 minutes and 15 seconds down to Truls Braathen in 1912. The smallest winning margin from races held with individual start are the two seconds between winner Veikko Hakulinen and Pavel Kolchin in 1955. In mass starts, where the winning margins often are small, the smallest winning margin is a photo finish in 2015 where Sjur Røthe won ahead of Dario Cologna even though they finished in the same time.[1]
The longest winning time for 50 km in Holmenkollen is 5 hours 33 minutes 37 seconds, when Elling Rønes won in 1906. The shortest winning time is Sjur Røthe's time in 2015: 1:54.44,9.
Alexander Bolshunov is the youngest winner of the race, aged 22 years and 68 days when winning the 2019 edition.[2]
Thorleif Haug has the most victories with six; in 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1923 and 1924. Lauritz Bergendahl won five times; in 1910, 1912, 1913, 1914 and 1915. Elling Rønes won four times; 1906, 1907, 1908 and 1916. After the Second World War, five skiers have won three times each: Veikko Hakulinen won in 1952 (Olympic Games), 1953 and 1955, Sverre Stensheim won in 1959, 1960 and 1961, Oddvar Brå won in 1975, 1979 and 1981, Thomas Wassberg won in 1980, 1982 and 1987, and Vegard Ulvang won in 1989, 1991 and 1992.
Multiple winners
![](../I/m/Thorleif_Haug.jpg)
![](../I/m/Veikko_Hakulinen_1959.jpg)
The following skiers have won the Holmenkollen 50 km at least twice.
Skier | Total | Editions |
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6 | 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1923, 1924 |
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5 | 1910, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915 |
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4 | 1906, 1907, 1908, 1916 |
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3 | 1975, 1979, 1981 |
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3 | 1952, 1953, 1955 |
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3 | 1959, 1960, 1961 |
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3 | 1989, 1991, 1992 |
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3 | 1980, 1982, 1987 |
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2 | 2019, 2020 |
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2 | 1900, 1901 |
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2 | 1970, 1971 |
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2 | 1902, 1903 |
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2 | 1947, 1951 |
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2 | 2010, 2011 |
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2 | 1993, 1998 |
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2 | 1962, 1968 |
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2 | 2006, 2008 |
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2 | 2016, 2017 |
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2 | 1986, 1990 |
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2 | 1964, 1965 |
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2 | 1969, 1972 |
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2 | 1929, 1930 |
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2 | 2003, 2005 |
Results
The distance is 50 km unless otherwise noted. The 1888 50 km race was a part of Husebyrennet, but is included in this list for completeness reasons.
Date | Course / technique | Winner | Second | Third | Type |
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7 February 1888 | ![]() |
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Husebyrennet | |
1898 | 30 km | Cancelled due to lack of snow | Holmenkollrennene | ||
7 February 1900 | 30 km | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene |
6 February 1901 | 30 km | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene |
5 February 1902 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
4 February 1903 | 55 km[3] | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene, the Nordic Games |
10 February 1904 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
1905 | Cancelled due to lack of snow | Holmenkollrennene | |||
8 March 1906 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
28 February 1907 | 40 km | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene |
20. February 1908 | 47.8 km | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene |
1909 | Not held | Holmenkollrennene | |||
17 February 1910 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
2 March 1911 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
29 February 1912 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
27 February 1913 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
26 February 1914 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
25 February 1915 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
24 February 1916 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
22 February 1917 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
21 February 1918 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
27 February 1919 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
19 February 1920 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
17 February 1921 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
23 February 1922 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
22 February 1923 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
21 February 1924 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
1925 | Cancelled due to lack of snow | Holmenkollrennene | |||
24 February 1926 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
2 March 1927 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
29 February 1928 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
27 February 1929 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
3 March 1930 | ![]() |
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1930 World Championships | |
25 February 1931 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
15 March 1932 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
1 March 1933 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
5 March 1934 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
27 February 1935 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
26 February 1936 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
24 February 1937 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
7 March 1938 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
6 March 1939 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
28 February 1940 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
1941–1945 | Not held due to World War II | Holmenkollrennene | |||
27 February 1946 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
26 February 1947 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
3 March 1948 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
2 March 1949 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
1 March 1950 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
24 February 1951 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
20 February 1952 | ![]() |
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1952 Winter Olympics | |
8 March 1952 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennet | |
28 February 1953 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennet | |
6 March 1954 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennet | |
5 March 1955 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennet | |
25 February 1956 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennet | |
2 March 1957 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennet | |
15 March 1958 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennet | |
7 March 1959 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennet | |
19 March 1960 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennet | |
11 March 1961 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennet | |
17 March 1962 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennet | |
16 March 1963 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennet | |
14 March 1964 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennet | |
13 March 1965 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennet | |
26 February 1966 | ![]() |
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1966 World Championships | |
4 March 1967 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
16 March 1968 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
15 March 1969 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
14 March 1970 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
13 March 1971 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
11 March 1972 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
17 March 1973 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
9 March 1974 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
8 March 1975 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
13 March 1976 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
12 March 1977 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
11 March 1978 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
10 March 1979 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
15 March 1980 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
14 March 1981 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene | |
27 February 1982 | ![]() |
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1982 World Championships/World Cup | |
12 March 1983 | ![]() |
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World Cup | |
10 March 1984 | ![]() |
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World Cup | |
16 March 1985 | ![]() |
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Holmenkollrennene[5] | |
15 March 1986 | Classic | ![]() |
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World Cup |
21 March 1987 | Classic | ![]() |
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World Cup |
19 March 1988 | Freestyle | ![]() |
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World Cup |
4 March 1989 | Freestyle | ![]() |
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World Cup |
17 March 1990 | Freestyle | ![]() |
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World Cup, held at Vang |
16 March 1991 | Classic | ![]() |
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World Cup |
14 March 1992 | Classic | ![]() |
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World Cup, held at Vang |
13 March 1993 | Classic | ![]() |
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World Cup |
1994 | Not held (1994 Winter Olympics at Lillehammer) | ||||
11 February 1995 | Classic | ![]() |
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World Cup |
16 March 1996 | Classic | ![]() |
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World Cup |
15 March 1997 | Freestyle | ![]() |
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World Cup |
14 March 1998 | Classic | ![]() |
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World Cup |
20 March 1999 | Freestyle | ![]() |
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World Cup |
11 March 2000 | Classic | ![]() |
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World Cup |
10 March 2001 | Classic | ![]() |
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World Cup |
16 March 2002 | Freestyle | ![]() |
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World Cup |
8 March 2003 | Classic | ![]() |
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World Cup |
28 February 2004 | Freestyle | ![]() |
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World Cup |
12 March 2005 | Classic | ![]() |
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World Cup |
11 March 2006 | Freestyle | ![]() |
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World Cup |
17 March 2007 | Classic | ![]() |
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World Cup |
8 March 2008 | Freestyle | ![]() |
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World Cup |
2009 | Not held, reconstruction of the Holmenkollen National Arena | ||||
13 March 2010 | Freestyle, mass start | ![]() |
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World Cup |
6. March 2011 | Freestyle, mass start | ![]() |
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2011 World Championships |
10 March 2012 | Classic, mass start | ![]() |
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World Cup |
16 March 2013 | Freestyle, mass start | ![]() |
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World Cup |
8 March 2014 | Classic, mass start | ![]() |
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World Cup |
14 March 2015 | Freestyle, mass start | ![]() |
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World Cup |
6 February 2016 | Classic, mass start | ![]() |
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World Cup |
11 March 2017 | Classic, mass start | ![]() |
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World Cup |
10 March 2018 | Freestyle, mass start | ![]() |
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World Cup |
9 March 2019 | Classic, mass start | ![]() |
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World Cup |
8 March 2020 | Classic, mass start | ![]() |
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World Cup |
Sources
- Jakob Vaage, Tom Kristensen: Holmenkollen – Historien og resultatene. De norske Bokklubbene, Stabekk 1992. ISBN 82-525-1678-5 (p. 191-205 og 247-259, digitalised by Nasjonalbiblioteket)
- Foreningen til Ski-Idrættens Fremme gjennem 50 år 1883-1933. Dybwad, Oslo 1933 (s. 32-34, 52, 54-86, 236-238, digitalised by Nasjonalbiblioteket)
- Erling Ranheim (red.): Norske skiløpere - Skihistorisk oppslagsverk i 5 bind - Østlandet Sør. Skiforlaget - Erling Ranheim, Oslo 1956 (p. 38-39 og 120, digitalised by Nasjonalbiblioteket)
- FIS: Resultater (accessed 15 March 2015)
References
- "NRK: – Oi! Var jeg først, eller?". www.nrk.no. NRK. 14 March 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
- "Clean sweep! - Russian skiers oust Norwegian hosts to claim all podium places in World Cup marathon". www.rt.com. RT. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
- The Minneapolis journal: Big Carnival of Winter Sports at Holmenkollen - Results of the Events (p. 15, 21 February 1903, archived at Library of Congress)
- From different sources referred to as Toikka, A. Toikka and V. Toikka, probably Valmari Toikka
- 50 km did not have World Cup status this year