Julius Ferninand Skutnabb (12 June 1889 – 26 February 1965) was a Finnish speed skater. A fireman by profession, he made his international debut at the World Allround Championships in 1914, but his international career was interrupted by World War I. He kept competing nationally, becoming the Finnish Allround Champion in 1914, 1916, and 1917. International activity resumed in 1922 and Skutnabb, already 32 years old, finished fifth at the World Allround Championships that year. After placing sixth at the world championships the following year, his best year came in 1924.[1]

Julius Skutnabb
Personal information
Born12 June 1889
Helsinki, Finland
Died26 February 1965 (aged 75)
Helsinki, Finland
Sport
SportSpeed skating
ClubHelsingfors Skridskoklubb, Helsinki
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)500 m – 44.8 (1926)
1500 m – 2:24.2 (1926)
5000 m – 8:44.0 (1926)
10,000 m – 17:59.3 (1922)
Medal record
Representing  Finland
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1924 Chamonix 5,000 m
Gold medal – first place 1924 Chamonix 10,000 m
Bronze medal – third place 1924 Chamonix Allround
Silver medal – second place 1928 St. Moritz 5,000 m

At the 1924 Winter Olympics of Chamonix, he first won silver on the 5,000 m behind compatriot Clas Thunberg; the next day he became Olympic Champion on the 10,000 m, while Thunberg took silver. Since these were the first Winter Olympics to be held, his 10,000 m time automatically was the Olympic record. These performances, combined with his 500 m and 1,500 m times during those Olympics, were good enough for a third place in the allround competition (which was also an Olympic speed skating event, but only in 1924), and Skutnabb returned home with three medals – one of each colour.[1] Later in 1924 Skutnabb won a bronze medal at the World Allround Championships, and in 1926 he became European Allround Champion. Skutnabb participated in the 1928 Winter Olympics and won his second 5,000 m Olympic silver medal (this time behind Ivar Ballangrud) at the age of 38 years and 246 days.[1]

Medals

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An overview of medals won by Skutnabb at important championships he participated in, listing the years in which he won each:[2]

Championships Gold medal Silver medal Bronze medal
Winter Olympics 1924 (10,000 m) 1924 (5,000 m)
1928 (5,000 m)
1924 (Allround)
World Allround 1924
European Allround 1926
Finnish Allround 1914
1916
1917
1915
1920
1921

References

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  1. ^ a b c Julius Skutnabb. sports-reference.com
  2. ^ Julius Skutnabb SpeedSkatingStats.com