Norwegian success explained?

[faffi]

Why Norwegians win more per capita than any other nation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s92z9dkLePg

[hampes]

Ja, vi elsker dette landet!

(Yes, we love that country)

Cheers, h.

[Ncdan]

So how do they stack up in MOTORCYCLE racing?

Dan

[faffi]

So how do they stack up in MOTORCYCLE racing?

Dan

Sturla Fagerhaug came second on the KTM Rookie cup in 2009.

Ailo Mikkelsen Gaup was crowned World Cup Champion in FMX in 2004 and again in 2007, making him the only rider to win the World Championships in freestyle motocross twice.

Kevin Horgmo came 3rd in the 125cc FIM Motocross Junior World Championship in 2017 and 2nd in the EMX 250 European Motocross Championship.

Siri Minken won 3 and came 2nd in the 4 races she participated in back in 2001 in the NATC Women's Trials championship, ending the year in 3rd overall despite missing 6 races

Pål Ullevålsæther came 2nd in the 2010 Paris-Dakar rally, easily the best placed privateer. He has also won the Africa Eco Race twice and finished third trice.

The Öncu brothers are half Norwegian.

A former GP road racing champion - I believe it was Kork Ballington, but it could be Jon Ekerold - was also 50% Norwegian.

Norwegians have also done well in Speedway, but no world champions.

To sum it up, Norway has pretty meager results in two wheeled motor-sports.

[SIR REAL ED]

Don't forget Jarno Saarinen!

[faffi]

Jarno could have become a multiple world champion had hei not been killed, which is likely why he is still fondly remembered by many of us grownups. He was also Finnish, meaning we Norwegians do not have any stakes in him - unless his mom was Norwegian?

[SIR REAL ED]

Jarno could have become a multiple world champion had hei not been killed, which is likely why he is still fondly remembered by many of us grownups. He was also Finnish, meaning we Norwegians do not have any stakes in him - unless his mom was Norwegian?

Isn't Finland an eastern state in Norway?   

Jarno would have no doubt been a multiple time world champ.  Supposedly, Kenny Roberts started to imitate his riding style after watching him.

It's all Scandinavian blood, so you might as well claim Jarno.  Same for Heikki Mikkola, Hakan Carlqvist. and Ake Jonsson!!

The Europeans racers schooled the American racers in motocross, road racing, trials, speedway.  I suspect the us riders will never catch up in trials.  altough Berrnie Schieber did win a world championship.

Fascinating to see the different group identities gain superiority and later decline in sports.  Once superior training methods are discovered they go viral.

Excellent documentary on the 1980 Carlsbad Motocross GP.  Expecting an American to win was inconceivable.  Commentary is hilarious.  Especially from Brad Zimmerman.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9045730/

[faffi]

Mika Kallio is another, then we have car drivers. The Finns and Swedes in general are better at motorsport than us Norwegians. We Norwegians were all born with skis on, you know, so less dependant on engines for transport 

[SIR REAL ED]

Mika Kallio is another, then we have car drivers. The Finns and Swedes in general are better at motorsport than us Norwegians. We were all born with skis on, you know, so less dependant on engines for transport 

Never underestimate geography, weather, coaching, and genetics when it comes to one's success in both sports and life!!