Alfred Ingvald Naess

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Alfred Ingvald Næss

Næss in 1954
Born April 26, 1877
Oslo, Norway
Died July 6, 1955
Strasshof an der Nordbahn, Austria
Nationality Norwegian
Occupation Skater
Parents Anne Jette (1847-?)
Christian Andersen Næss (1848-?)

Alfred Ingvald Næss (April 26, 1877 – July 6, 1955) was a Norwegian speedskater. He set the men's world record for 500 meters lowland skating on February 5, 1893 at 49.4 seconds in Hamar, Norway. He then broke his own record 21 days later on February 26, 1893 at 48.0 seconds, then lowered it to 47.0 seconds on February 24, 1894 at Hamar, Norway.[1]

Contents

[edit] Biography

He was the son of Anne Jette (1847-?) of Kragerø or Skåtøy; and Christian Andersen Næss (1848-?) of Grue, Norway. Christian was an army sergeant. Alfred had two siblings: Carl Albert Næss (1874-?); and Alvilde Marie Magdalene Naess (1875-1933) who married Thorvald Martin Tandberg (1874-1970).[2][3] Alfred grew up in Vika.[4] He traveled through the United States.[5] Clifford Milner writes: "later he went on the vaudeville circuit doing ice skate tricks, like jumping over a series of pool tables." His partner in paired skating was Freda Maier-Westorgaard of Frankenberg (c1890-1976) who died in Strasshof an der Nordbahn, Austria. She died in 1976. Alfred was the maternal uncle of Carl Frederick Tandberg, the bass musician. In 1913 he arrived in the United States and by 1920 he was married to Frieda and they were renting a room in Manhattan.[6][2] He died on July 6, 1955 in Austria and was buried in Norway.

[edit] World records

Alfred Næss and Frieda Meyer circa 1900-1920
Alfred Næss and Frieda Meyer circa 1900-1920
Alfred Næss and Nadja Frank
Alfred Næss and Nadja Frank
Main article: World record progression 500 m speed skating men

[edit] International Championship Results

[edit] Personal best

  • 500 meters in 46.8 seconds
  • 1,500 meters in 2 minutes and 35.0 seconds
  • 5,000 meters in 9 minutes and 29.8 seconds
  • 10,000 meters in 19 minutes and 17.0 seconds

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "Speed Skating", International Olympic Committee. Retrieved on 2007-08-21. 
  2. ^ a b Alfred Næss in the World War I draft
  3. ^ 1900 Census of Grue, Norway
  4. ^ "Pipervika", Skyggespill. Retrieved on 2007-08-21. "Norway's first international amateur speed skating champion, Alfred Næss, grew up in Vika. So did the two champion brothers Sigurd and Oscar Mathisen. None of their homes have survived." 
  5. ^ Sundby-Hansen, Harry (1921). Norwegian Immigrant Contributions to America's Making. “Several of these Norwegian champions have visited the United States, Axel Paulsen, Alfred Naess, ...” 
  6. ^ Alfred Næss in the 1920 US Census for Manhattan
  7. ^ a b c "500 meter World Records". Retrieved on 2007-08-21. 
  8. ^ "Complete List of Historical Speed Skating Records", International Skating Union. Retrieved on 2007-08-21. 
  9. ^ Treat, Suzanne (1975). Encyclopaedia of Sports. 
  10. ^ "Championship Skating", Washington Post, February 6, 1897. Retrieved on 2007-08-21. "The ninth annual race meeting of the Amateur Skating Association of Canada, in connection with which is held the world's championship races. amateur and professional, was begun to-day, and w as favored with the best of weather. The ice was the best that any of the most exacting experts could ask for. There was a slight east wind which was against the flyers. ... Alfred Naess Equals the World's Record at 500 Meters." 

[edit] External links


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