Ole Ellefsæter

Ole Martin Ellefsæter (15 February 1939 – 18 October 2022) was a Norwegian athlete. He mostly competed in cross-country skiing, and won two gold medals at the 1968 Winter Olympics. At the 1966 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships he won one gold (4 × 10 km relay) and one silver (15 km) medal, and in 1971 he became the first Norwegian to win Vasaloppet.

Competing in the 3000 metres steeplechase, he won six national championships in a row, from 1960 to 1965. For his accomplishments in both sports, he was awarded Egebergs Ærespris.

Ellefsæter also had a singing career, and had two hit songs in Norway.

Skiing career Ellefsæter won the Birkebeinerrennet in 1961. He became national champion in 15 km cross-country skiing in 1964,

In 1971 he became the first Norwegian to win Vasaloppet. He competed at the 1972 Winter Olympics, where he placed 10th in 50 km and 31st in the 30 km.

Steeplechase career Besides skiing, Ellefsæter competed in the 3000 metres steeplechase, winning the national title from 1960 to 1965. His personal best of 8:43.8 minutes was a world top-level result at the time Ellefsæter competed at the 1962 European Championships, but failed to reach the final. He produced two albums, Viser og gamle takter (1967) and I godt lag (1969), the text for which was written by his neighbor Guttorm P. Haugen.

He received the Fearnley Olympic award in 1968. He was 83.

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

Olympic Games 2 medals – (2 gold) Year Age 15 km 30 km 50 km 4 × 10 km relay 1964 25 25 8 — 1968 29 — — Gold Gold 1972 33 — 31 10 —

World Championships 2 medals – (1 gold, 1 silver) Year Age 15 km 30 km 50 km 4 × 10 km relay 1966 27 Silver— 4 Gold 1970 31 20— 37 —