Hall of Famer

Shirley Firth-Larsson

Affiliated Discipline(s): Cross-country
Date of Birth / Death: 1953 - 2013
Hometown: Inuvik, N.W.T.
Active Career Period: 1968 - 1984
Induction CSHF: 1990
Induction Category: Cross-country
Shirley Firth c. 1969. Tony Sloan.

Along with her twin sister Sharon, Shirley played a pivotal role in the introduction of skiing to Canada’s Indigenous peoples, particularly the First Nation and Inuit communities. 

Shirley’s remarkable career stands as a testament to her unwavering dedication and exceptional talent, making her one of the most accomplished athletes in Canadian history.

Both Shirley and Sharon represented Canada on the national cross-country team for an unprecedented 17 consecutive years, competing in various races on the World Cup. Together, they amassed an impressive total of 79 medals at national championships, excelling in races of different distances. They also proudly represented Canada in four Winter Olympic Games: Sapporo, Japan in 1972; Innsbruck, Austria in 1976; Lake Placid, New York, USA in 1980; and Sarajevo, Yugoslavia in 1984.

Shirley Firth’s outstanding achievements were recognized and celebrated by the skiing community. She was honoured six times as the Canadian Women’s Nordic Skier of the Year by Ski Racing Magazine. Additionally, the Firth sisters were the subjects of a CBC Documentary titled “The Olympians: The Firth Sisters.”

After getting married, Shirley Firth spent over two decades in Europe, where she obtained a teaching diploma from the University of Paris in 2002. During her time in Europe, she delivered lectures on Dene and Inuit cultures at various universities, schools, and cultural centres in central Europe and Scandinavia. In recognition of her contributions and accomplishments, Shirley Firth was awarded the Order of Canada in 1987, inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame in 1990, and received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. Later, she returned to her hometown of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories.

Shirley Firth’s extraordinary athletic achievements, cultural contributions, and commitment to her community have left an indelible mark on Canadian skiing and continue to inspire generations of athletes, particularly among Indigenous communities.

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1976 – 7th, 4 x 5 kilometre relay, Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria

1978 – 9th, 4 x 5 kilometre relay, World Championships in Lahti, Finland

1980 – 9th, 20 kilometre, World Championships in Falun, Sweden

1980 – 8th, 4 x 5 kilometre relay, Olympic Games in Lake Placid, USA

1982 – 11th, World Cup overall standings

 

Please Note: The ski information gathered here is compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments.
Copyright © 2021, Canadian Ski Museum. For Personal/Educational use only. All Rights Reserved.

Shirley Firth in cross country relay race at 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Winter Games. Canadian Ski Association.

Shirley Firth at 1969 World Ski Championships. CSHFM Collection.

Shirley Firth at 1981 World Cross Country Championships in Whitehorse, Yukon
Shirley Firth at 1981 World Cross Country Championships in Whitehorse, Yukon. CSHFM Collection.
Shirley Firth at 1983 Holmenkollen World Cup event in Oslo, Norway.
Shirley Firth at 1983 Holmenkollen World Cup event in Oslo, Norway. A.R.T. Foto.

Shirley and Sharon Firth c. 1969. Photo Guy Savard.

Sharon and Shirley Firth. CSHFM Collection.

Sharon and Shirley Firth. Canadian Ski Association.

Canadian Olympic cross country team at 1972 Olympic Winter Games in Sapporo, JPN [L to R]: Helen Sander, Roseanne Allen, Sharon Firth, Shirley Firth, Bjorger Pettersen (coach), Roger Allen, Jarl Omholt-Jensen, Malcolm Hunter, Fred Kelly. CSHFM Collection.

National Olympic Cross Country Ski Team 1984
National Olympic Cross Country Ski Team 1984 [top row]: Sharon Firth, Shirley Firth [bottom row]: Pierre Harvey, Angela Schmidt. Canadian Ski Association.
Bjorger Pettersen with the Inuvik Cross Country Ski Team
Bjorger Pettersen with the Inuvik Cross Country Ski Team [bottom row, L to R]: Sharon Firth, Anita Allen, Roseanne Allen, Shirley Firth [top row, L to R]: Bjorger Pettersen (coach), Fred Kelly, Roger Allen, Malcolm Hunter. Department of National Health & Welfare Canada.

Rhoda Wurtele, Shirley Firth, Sharon Firth, and Rhona Wurtele at 1990 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. CSHFM Collection.

Inductees Sharon and Shirley Firth with Allen Warren, a director of the Canadian Ski Museum, at the 1990 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. CSHFM Collection.

Sharon and Shirley Firth with Canadian Ski Museum Chair, Erle Bergh, at 1990 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. CSHFM Collection.

Sharon and Shirley Firth with Canadian Ski Museum Chair, Erle Bergh, at 1990 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. CSHFM Collection.

2015 Honoured Member: Sharon Firth - Cross-country Skiing | Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

2015 Canada's Sports Hall of Fame Induction Vignette | Sharon Firth (Shirley's twin sister)

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