1885 speed skating race at Frognerkilen

The speed skating race at Frognerkilen in 1885 was a duel between Norwegian skater Axel Paulsen and Dutch skater Renke van der Zee. The race took place on the fjord ice on the bay of Frognerkilen, Kristiania, on 26 February 1885. Paulsen had been named "amateur champion of the world" following a series of victories in the United States in 1883 and 1884, and he was challenged by Dutch skater van der Zee. The competition was met with huge interest from the local population. A crowd of between 20,000 and 30,000 spectators witnessed the duel. The newspaper Morgenbladet published a special edition on the event. The duel was fought over a length of 3 English miles (4,827 meter). Paulsen won the race, finishing about one minute ahead of van der Zee. The prize money was 1,800 to the winner. Nordahl Gunnar Pionértiden – "Centralforeningen for Udbredelse af Legemsøvelser og Vaabenbrug" 1861–1893 Norsk idrett gjennom hundre år 1861–1961 Norwegian 1961 21–93 AschehougAxel Paulsen Norsk biografisk leksikon Per Jorsett Per Jorsett Helle, Knut Knut Helle Kunnskapsforlaget Oslo http://www.snl.no/.nbl_biografi/Axel_Paulsen/utdypning Norwegian 9 April 2012 Axel Paulsen Store norske leksikon Godal Anne Marit Anne Marit Godal Norsk nettleksikon Oslo http://www.snl.no/Axel_Paulsen Norwegian 9 April 2012 The organizing committee was headed by consul general Peter J. K. Petersen.Peter Petersen Norsk biografisk leksikon Smith-Meyer Trond Helle, Knut Knut Helle Kunnskapsforlaget Oslo http://www.snl.no/.nbl_biografi/Peter_Petersen/utdypning Norwegian 9 April 2012 References Category:1885 in Norway Category:19th century in Oslo Category:Speed skating in Norway Category:International speed skating competitions Category:1885 in speed skating