Peter Sinnerud 1876 - 1972

Peter Sinnerud, from Hamar, was one of the best Norwegian skaters in the mid-1890s. In the World Championships in his hometown 1895 he set a new 10000 m World Record, tied with Karenius Larsen-Stai in the same pair - 18.50,0 - the first to skate a 10000 m under 19 minutes.

But the record only lasted until Jaap Eden did 17.56,0 in a later pair.
He emigrated to America, and he was very successful as an amateur skater from 1901 to 1903.
He was especially proficient in winning the handicap races, where the poorer skaters were given a head start of 25, 40, 60 yards or so instead of all skating in a pack. He started in his only professional race in February 1902 - the pro class of the North American championships in Montreal. All he won was a 3rd place in the 1/2 mile race - beaten by US skaters John Nilsson and Harley Davidson. It is not known if he received any money for this.

In 1904 he came back to Norway quite unexpectedly, just in time to reach the postponed World Championships. He won all four distances. One week later he won all three distances in the Norwegian Championships.
The Kristiania Skating Club did not take easy on the defeat of their man - Sigurd Mathisen - and they filed a protest when they found out about Sinnerud's participatoin in professional races in America. The Norwegian Skating Federation and the ISU disqualified Sinnerud for being professional, withdrew his titles, and Sigurd Mathisen was given the World title and Oluf Steen the Norwegian title.

Sinnerud went back to the USA and skated professionally through the 3 seasons (1905-1907) without winning anything, but secured many 2nd and 3rd places in tough competition.
He came back to Norway and lived as a farmer just outside of Hamar. He learned about coaching from his American experience and was effectively Norway's first speed skating coach. Between the wars he turned his home into a sort of "speed skating training center", accomodating and coaching both Norwegian and foreign skaters. Especially he helped the Dutch skaters, among them Jan Langedijk and Klaas Schenk. He was also a successfull coach for Michael Staksrud and Hans Engnestangen in the 30s.

Peter Sinnerud's grandson - Sven Peter Sinnerud - has been preparing the ice in Hamar (the Vikingship) for all the championships since 1994.

Highest rank on the Adelskalender: 3 (1895)