Wilhelm Henie
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- World champion in track cycling
- Coach and manager for figure skater Sonja Henie
Wilhelm Henie | |
|---|---|
 Wilhem Henie on bike | |
| Born | 7 September 1872 |
| Died | 10 May 1937 (aged 64) |
| Occupations | sportsman and furrier |
| Known for |
|
| Children | Sonja Henie, Leif Henie |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's track cycling | ||
| World Championships | ||
 | 1894 Antwerp | 100 km motor-pace |
 | 1895 Cologne | 100 km motor-pace |
 | 1900 Paris | 100 km motor-pace |
Wilhelm Henie (7 September 1872 – 10 May 1937)[1] was a Norwegian sportsman and furrier. He was track cycling World Champion in 1894,[2][3] and competed at the European Speed Skating Championships in 1896.[4] Henie was coach and manager for his daughter Sonja,[5] who became a famous international figure skating champion [6] and later a major American film star.[6]
Early efforts
Henie was an active track cyclist from 1889 to 1902.[2] He represented the club Kristiania Velocipedklub.[2] When he became World Champion in 1894, he was also the first Norwegian World Champion in any sport.[7]
Henie started in his first race in June 1889, on the Majorstuen velodrome, and surprised by winning his class.[2] In August 1889 he won the 2000 metre race on the Bygdø velodrome.[2] In 1890 he represented his club at races in Copenhagen, and achieved a third place in 1 English mile.[2]
Scandinavian success
In 1891 Henie experienced a lot of triumphs in Scandinavian races. He won races in Malmø and in Copenhagen, where he became Scandinavian Champion on 5000 metres.[2] He also won 1st prizes at Majorstuen.[2] He set Scandinavian records in halfmile, in one English mile, in 4000 metres, in 5000 metres and in 5 English miles.[2] Henie was appointed consul for Svenskt Hjulsportförbund in 1892.[3] The consular connections were important at the time, as Norway was not a member of the International Cycling Association, and enrollment to international races had to go through member countries.
International career
Henie participated in 100 km motor pace at the 1894 Track Cycling World Championships for amateurs in Antwerp, and became World Champion.[2][3][7][8] He did not have a motor pace as his hardest competitors, but was helped by Dutch tandem cyclists at the end of the race.[7] Henie won the championship 13 rounds ahead of Green from England.[7] He set two World Records in 1894, in two English miles and in ten English miles, both at the Herne Hill Velodrome in London.[2] In 1895 he finished 3rd at the World Championships in Cologne, behind Mathieu Cordang and Witteveen.[2] In 1900 he finished second at the World Championships in Paris, behind Bastien, with Hildebrand finishing third.[2] He continued active cycling until 1902.[2]