Fritz R. Huitfeldt
Encyclopedia
Nicolay Fritz Reichwein Huitfeldt (19 May 1851 – 24 April 1938) was a Norwegian sports official, writer and producer of ski
s and ski binding
s.
He was born in Borgund
as a son of stipendiary magistrate Hans Jørgen Hansen Huitfeldt (1806–1857) and Fredrikke Ambjørnsen (1815–1897). The family also lived in Fredrikstad
during Fritz' childhood, but when he was 13 years old the family moved to Christiania
. He was a distant descendant of Tønne Huitfeldt. He was married twice; first between 1894 and 1900 to singer Marie Gløersen, then from September 1906 to Asta Marie Andersen (1877–1966). Through his sister, Fritz Huitfeldt was a brother-in-law of his own cousin Henrik Jørgen Huitfeldt-Kaas.
He took the examen artium
in 1870 and the "second examen" in 1872. Until 1880 he ran two sports stores, first in Drammen
and later in Skien
. He was then hired in a weapons store in Kristiania. He started his own sports store in the city in 1891, but was employed in another store between 1896 and 1915. He also ran a ski factory named Ull. He became famous all over the skiing world for his "Huitfeldt ski binding
s", pioneered in 1894 with significant improvements in 1897 and 1904. His bindings and skis were used by ski jumpers, cross-country skiers and alpine ski
ers alike.
Huitfeldt released several books about skiing, hunting and angling, and was an avid skier. He was a member of SK Ull
from its founding year, served as its first deputy chairman (from 1883 to 1885) and its third chairman (from 1887 to 1891). He especially promoted the Telemark style
of skiing, but was also involved in ski jumping
. From 1886 to 1893 he was employed as a secretary in the Association for the Promotion of Skiing. Together with Hans Krag he was responsible for discontinuing the Husebyrennet and creating the hill Holmenkollbakken which arranged the Holmenkollen Ski Festival
from 1892.
He died in April 1938 in Oslo. A monument to him was unveiled near Tryvannstårnet
in 1946.
Ski
A ski is a long, flat device worn on the foot, usually attached through a boot, designed to help the wearer slide smoothly over snow. Originally intended as an aid to travel in snowy regions, they are now mainly used for recreational and sporting purposes...
s and ski binding
Ski binding
A ski binding is an attachment which anchors a ski boot to the ski. There are different types of bindings for different types of skiing.-Universal designs:...
s.
He was born in Borgund
Borgund, Møre og Romsdal
Borgund is a former municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. The municipality consisted of the islands of Sula, Humla, Tørla, and Ellingsøya, as well as parts of Oksenøya, Hessa, and Nørvøya, plus many minor islands throughout the area...
as a son of stipendiary magistrate Hans Jørgen Hansen Huitfeldt (1806–1857) and Fredrikke Ambjørnsen (1815–1897). The family also lived in Fredrikstad
Fredrikstad
is a city and municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Fredrikstad....
during Fritz' childhood, but when he was 13 years old the family moved to Christiania
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
. He was a distant descendant of Tønne Huitfeldt. He was married twice; first between 1894 and 1900 to singer Marie Gløersen, then from September 1906 to Asta Marie Andersen (1877–1966). Through his sister, Fritz Huitfeldt was a brother-in-law of his own cousin Henrik Jørgen Huitfeldt-Kaas.
He took the examen artium
Examen artium
Examen artium was the name of the academic certification conferred in Denmark and Norway, qualifying the student for admission to university studies. Examen artium was originally introduced as the entrance exam of the University of Copenhagen in 1630...
in 1870 and the "second examen" in 1872. Until 1880 he ran two sports stores, first in Drammen
Drammen
Drammen is a city in Buskerud County, Norway. The port and river city of Drammen is centrally located in the eastern and most populated part of Norway.-Location:...
and later in Skien
Skien
' is a city and municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Grenland. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Skien. Skien is also the administrative centre of Telemark county....
. He was then hired in a weapons store in Kristiania. He started his own sports store in the city in 1891, but was employed in another store between 1896 and 1915. He also ran a ski factory named Ull. He became famous all over the skiing world for his "Huitfeldt ski binding
Ski binding
A ski binding is an attachment which anchors a ski boot to the ski. There are different types of bindings for different types of skiing.-Universal designs:...
s", pioneered in 1894 with significant improvements in 1897 and 1904. His bindings and skis were used by ski jumpers, cross-country skiers and alpine ski
Alpine Ski
Alpine Ski is an Alpine skiing arcade game, released by Taito in 1981.- Description :The player controls a skier, who can move left, right, or increase forward speed. The aim is to maneuver a skier through a downhill ski course, a slalom course, and a ski jumping competition in the shortest time...
ers alike.
Huitfeldt released several books about skiing, hunting and angling, and was an avid skier. He was a member of SK Ull
SK Ull
Skiklubben Ull was a Norwegian Nordic skiing club based in Oslo but with its sporting facilities in Vestre Aker. Founded in 1883, it attracted several professed sportsmen who between 1883 and 1891 won six Ladies' Cups and one King's Cup, among other national events. Its members also participated in...
from its founding year, served as its first deputy chairman (from 1883 to 1885) and its third chairman (from 1887 to 1891). He especially promoted the Telemark style
Telemark skiing
Telemark skiing is a form of skiing using the Telemark turn. Unlike alpine skiing equipment, the skis used for telemarking either have a binding that only connects the boot to the ski at the toes, just as in cross-country skiing, or may be released to only connect there.Telemark turns are led with...
of skiing, but was also involved in ski jumping
Ski jumping
Ski jumping is a sport in which skiers go down a take-off ramp, jump and attempt to land as far as possible down the hill below. In addition to the length of the jump, judges give points for style. The skis used for ski jumping are wide and long...
. From 1886 to 1893 he was employed as a secretary in the Association for the Promotion of Skiing. Together with Hans Krag he was responsible for discontinuing the Husebyrennet and creating the hill Holmenkollbakken which arranged the Holmenkollen Ski Festival
Holmenkollen ski festival
The Holmenkollen Ski Festival is a traditional annual Nordic skiing event in Holmenkollen, Oslo, Norway. The full official name of the event is Holmenkollen FIS World Cup Nordic. It takes place in March and has been arranged every year since 1892, except for 1898 and during World War II...
from 1892.
He died in April 1938 in Oslo. A monument to him was unveiled near Tryvannstårnet
Tryvannstårnet
Tryvannstårnet is a 118 metre tall broadcasting tower of Oslo, located 529 metres above mean sea level at the hill Tryvannshøyden near the Tryvann lake....
in 1946.