Martti Lappalainen

Martti Eemil Lappalainen (11 April 1902 – 6 October 1941) was a Finnish cross-country skier and biathlete.

Biography He was born in Liperi and was killed in action in Mäntysova, East Karelia.

Lappalainen was a part of the Military patrol for Finland that took silver in the 1924 Winter Olympics.

He won the 50 km cross-country skiing event at Holmenkollen ski festival in 1928. As a result of this victory, he became the second non-Norwegian winner of any event run up to that point, behind fellow Finn Anton Collin, who won the 50 km event in 1922.

At the 1928 Winter Olympics he finished seventh in the 18 km event and ninth in the 50 km event.

Four years later he finished fourth in the 18 km event at the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. He also participated in the 50 km event but did not finish.

At the 1934 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Sollefteå he won a gold in the 4 × 10 km relay and a bronze in the 18 km.

He was killed in action during World War II.

Cross-country skiing results All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).

Olympic Games Year Age 18 km 50 km 1928 25 7 9 1932 29 4

World Championships 2 medals – (1 gold, 1 bronze) Year Age 17 km 18 km 30 km 50 km 4 × 10 km relay 1926 23 6 — 1930 27 6 4 1934 31 Bronze — Gold 1938 35 — 39 —