Odd Harsheim
Encyclopedia
Odd Harsheim was a Norwegian goldsmith, military officer, multi-sportsperson and sports official.
As a sportsman he was best known for his profess in sailing. In the 5.5 Metre event at the 1956 Summer Olympics
he was a crew for Peder Lunde
in the boat Viking. They finished fifth. In the 5.5 Metre event at the 1960 Summer Olympics
he was a crew for Finn Ferner
in the boat Struten. They finished seventh. Harsheim represented the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club
.
He also competed on a national level in orienteering
, biathlon
, Nordic combined
and ski jumping
. He won the Ladies' Cup at the Holmenkollen Ski Festival
in 1946. For many years past his active age he was active in the Association for the Promotion of Skiing. He chaired the organizational committee for the Holmenkollen Ski Festival from 1959 to 1961, having previously led the ski jumping
contest since 1956. He was a council member of the Association for the Promotion of Skiing until 1986. He was admitted to the exclusive social club for skiers, SK Ull
, in 1983. He served as the club's chairman from 1992 until his death in 1994.
He studied in the United States, and worked as a goldsmith
in the family company Lars Harsheim. He also became involved in the military, starting during the Second World War. He joined Milorg
in the Norwegian resistance
to the German occupation
, and was imprisoned in Grini concentration camp from 15 May to 1 July 1942. He was decorated with the Defence Medal 1940–1945. After the war he became a conscript officer in the Norwegian Home Guard
, and in 1963 he became the first leader of the Skier Company in the home guard district HV-02, and remained so until 1978. He was also a board member of the Norwegian Conscript Officers' Federation
.
As a sportsman he was best known for his profess in sailing. In the 5.5 Metre event at the 1956 Summer Olympics
Sailing at the 1956 Summer Olympics
Sailing/Yachting is a Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad Sailing/Yachting is a Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad Sailing/Yachting is a Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad (1896 Olympics in Greece. With the exception of 1904 and...
he was a crew for Peder Lunde
Peder Lunde
Peder Eugen Lunde was a Norwegian sailor and Olympic medalist. He was born in Nordstrand and represented the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club....
in the boat Viking. They finished fifth. In the 5.5 Metre event at the 1960 Summer Olympics
Sailing at the 1960 Summer Olympics
Sailing/Yachting is a Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad . With the exception of 1904 and possible 1916 sailing was always a part of the Olympic program....
he was a crew for Finn Ferner
Finn Ferner
Finn Ferner was a Norwegian sailor and Olympic medalist. He was born in Oslo and died in Nesøya. He received a silver medal in the 6 metre class with the boat Elisabeth X at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, together with Johan Ferner, Erik Heiberg, Tor Arneberg and Carl Mortensen.Finn Ferner...
in the boat Struten. They finished seventh. Harsheim represented the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club
Royal Norwegian Yacht Club
The Royal Norwegian Yacht Club is a yacht club in Oslo, Norway . The club was established in 1883 and has some 4,000 members...
.
He also competed on a national level in orienteering
Orienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they...
, biathlon
Biathlon
Biathlon is a term used to describe any sporting event made up of two disciplines. However, biathlon usually refers specifically to the winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting...
, Nordic combined
Nordic combined
The Nordic combined is a winter sport in which athletes compete in both cross-country skiing and ski jumping.- History :While Norwegian soldiers are known to have been competing in Nordic skiing since the 19th century, the first major competition in Nordic combined was held in 1892 in Oslo at the...
and 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...
. He won the Ladies' Cup at 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...
in 1946. For many years past his active age he was active in the Association for the Promotion of Skiing. He chaired the organizational committee for the Holmenkollen Ski Festival from 1959 to 1961, having previously led the 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...
contest since 1956. He was a council member of the Association for the Promotion of Skiing until 1986. He was admitted to the exclusive social club for skiers, 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...
, in 1983. He served as the club's chairman from 1992 until his death in 1994.
He studied in the United States, and worked as a goldsmith
Goldsmith
A goldsmith is a metalworker who specializes in working with gold and other precious metals. Since ancient times the techniques of a goldsmith have evolved very little in order to produce items of jewelry of quality standards. In modern times actual goldsmiths are rare...
in the family company Lars Harsheim. He also became involved in the military, starting during the Second World War. He joined Milorg
Milorg
Milorg was the main Norwegian resistance movement in World War II....
in the Norwegian resistance
Norwegian resistance movement
The Norwegian resistance to the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany began after Operation Weserübung in 1940 and ended in 1945. It took several forms:...
to the German occupation
Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
The occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany started with the German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940, and ended on May 8, 1945, after the capitulation of German forces in Europe. Throughout this period, Norway was continuously occupied by the Wehrmacht...
, and was imprisoned in Grini concentration camp from 15 May to 1 July 1942. He was decorated with the Defence Medal 1940–1945. After the war he became a conscript officer in the Norwegian Home Guard
Norwegian Home Guard
The Norwegian Home Guard , is a rapid mobilisation force in the Norwegian military. Founded 6 December 1946, it is the youngest branch in the Norwegian forces.-Organization:...
, and in 1963 he became the first leader of the Skier Company in the home guard district HV-02, and remained so until 1978. He was also a board member of the Norwegian Conscript Officers' Federation
Norwegian Reserve Officers' Federation
The Norwegian Reserve Officers' Federation is an interest organisation for military reserve officers in Norway.It was established as the Conscript Officers' Association...
.