Sondre Norheim (June 10, 1825–March 9, 1897) was the pioneer of modern skiing. Born and raised in Morgedal in Telemark, he became a master of downhill skiing, both in terms of skills and in developing equipment, like bindings and skis with curved sides to facilitate turns. In 1868 he won the first national skiing competition in Christiania, beating his younger competitors by a large margin. His reputation grew, and eventually made Norwegian words like ski and slalom known worldwide.
In 1884, Sondre moved to USA with his family, living the last part of his life in North Dakota. Although finding his way of skiing impossible out on the flat prairie, he was said always to have a pair of skiis placed outside the door.
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