Henry Sotvedt

Henry Sodvedt was one of the leading competitors in ski jumping and Nordic combined events in the Pacific Northwest during the 1940s and 1950s.

Born March 2, 1908, in Kongsberg, Norway, Sodvedt claimed multiple Pacific Northwest titles in cross-country and ski jumping combined events. He won the U.S. national jumping championship (veterans’ class) near Seattle in 1947. His most significant competitive achievement came in 1937, when he was the top Canadian in the Nordic combined at the national championships in Banff, Alta.

Sodvedt’s abilities extended beyond those of an elite athlete. Recognized as a natural leader, he became zone chairman of the western division of the Canadian Amateur Ski Association (CASA) in 1936 — just seven years after immigrating to Canada. A year later, at a CASA meeting in Banff, he was elected vice-president.

In 1939, he began officiating in ski jumping, first at local meets, and by 1945 had been certified as a western division official and authorized jumping judge. Elected chairman of the jumping division in 1949, he helped organize ski jumping clinics along Canada’s west coast. From 1951 to 1958, he served as technical chairman of CASA’s western division, organizing training for judges in Alberta and British Columbia.

One of his proudest moments came in 1960, when he became one of three Canadian ski jumping judges certified internationally by the International Ski Federation (FIS) at Banff. As Canada’s delegate to the FIS jumping committee, he attended FIS congress meetings in Mamaia, Romania (1965); Beirut, Lebanon (1967); and Barcelona, Spain (1969). From 1959 until his retirement in 1969, he served as Canada’s chair of ski jumping, implementing a coordinated national training program with an emphasis on developing young athletes.

Highly respected by the international ski community, Sodvedt judged at the 1962 world ski jumping championships in Zakopane, Poland, and at the 1966 championships in Oslo, Norway.

Sodvedt’s contributions to skiing extended well beyond competition and administration. His vision, expertise and dedication helped shape Canadian ski jumping during a period of transformation, as the country emerged as a competitive force on the international stage.

Career Highlights

• Multiple-time Pacific Northwest champion in cross-country and ski jumping combined events
• 1937 – Top Canadian in Nordic combined, Canadian championships, Banff, Alta.
• 1947 – Winner, U.S. national jumping championship (veterans’ class), near Seattle, Wash.
• 1936 – Appointed zone chairman, western division, Canadian Amateur Ski Association (CASA)
• 1937 – Elected vice-president, CASA
• 1945 – Certified as western division official and authorized jumping judge
• 1949 – Elected chairman, CASA jumping division
• 1951–1958 – Technical chairman, CASA western division
• 1960 – One of three Canadians certified as international ski jumping judge by FIS
• 1962 – Official judge, world ski jumping championships, Zakopane, Poland
• 1966 – Official judge, world ski jumping championships, Oslo, Norway
• 1959–1969 – Chair of ski jumping, Canada; implemented national youth development program
• 1965, 1967, 1969 – Canadian delegate, FIS jumping committee

Note: The information gathered in this biography was compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments. Copyright © Canadian Ski Hall of Fame & Museum. For personal and/or educational use only. All rights reserved.