Vibeke Skofterud

Vibeke Westbye Skofterud (20 April 1980 – 29 July 2018) was a Norwegian cross-country skier. She won gold in the 4 × 5 km relay at Vancouver in 2010. Her best individual finish at the Winter Olympics was eighth in the 30 km event at Salt Lake City in 2002.

Skofterud won a complete set of 4 × 5 km relay medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships (gold: 2005, gold: 2011, silver: 2003, bronze: 2007) and earned her best individual finish of 13th in the 5 km + 5 km double pursuit in 2003.

Her first individual victory came in a pursuit race in Norway in 2006.

In 2012, Skofterud became the first Norwegian to win the Vasaloppet official ladies class. She set a new record time, 4.08,24, more than 8 minutes faster than the previous record from 1998.

She retired from cross-country skiing in 2015.

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

Olympic Games 1 medal – (1 gold)

Year Age 10 km 15 km Pursuit 30 km Sprint 4 × 5 km relay Team sprint 2002 21 — 28 28 8 21 — 2010 29 22 — — Gold —

World Championships 4 medals – (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) Year Age 10 km 15 km Pursuit 30 km Sprint 4 × 5 km relay Team sprint 2001 20 — — 36 16 — 2003 22 22 — 13 — — Silver 2005 24 — 15 — 37 — Gold 2007 26 21 13 — 33 Bronze — 2011 30 9 — 6 — Gold —

a. Cancelled due to extremely cold weather.

World Cup Season standings Season Age Discipline standingsSki Tour standingsOverallDistanceLong DistanceMiddle DistanceSprintNordicOpeningTour deSkiWorld CupFinal 2000 20 83 — 58 2001 21 43 28 2002 22 11 14 2003 23 21 13 2004 24 13 13 27 2005 25 28 23 30 2006 26 43 31 69 2007 27 15 11 75 9 2008 28 30 20 79 — 2009 29 57 37 — — — 2010 30 18 12 59 27 2011 31 27 17 31 6 — 2012 32 11 6 33 — 2013 33 23 18 7 — — 2014 34 56 33 21 —

Individual podiums

15 podiums – (12 , 3 )

Team podiums 17 victories – (17 ) 23 podiums – (23 )

Personal life In 2005, Skofterud turned down an offer to appear in the Norwegian edition of the men's magazine FHM. The rejection came after pressure from the Norwegian Ski Federation.

Skofterud suffered from eating disorders, which she claimed as a reason for canceling many competitions in the previous seasons.

Skofterud confirmed in June 2008 that she was in a committed relationship with a woman. She had previously been in relationships with men.

Skofterud was reported missing in the early morning of 29 July 2018 and was found deceased on an islet. The police stated that she most likely died instantly from injuries after a jetski accident near Arendal. Skofterud was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident, with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit of 0.8‰. She was 38 years old.