# Bente Skari

Bente Skari, née Martinsen, (born 10 September 1972) is a Norwegian former cross-country skier. She is one of the most successful cross-country skiers ever.

## Career

She won her first Olympic medals in 1998, and won her first gold medal in the 2002 Winter Olympics, coming from behind to beat the favourites Olga Danilova and Julija Tchepalova in the last kilometers of the 10 km classical event. Skari was the first Norwegian woman to win an individual gold medal in cross-country skiing. She also won a bronze medal in 30 km classical as well as a silver medal in the relay.
Additionally, she won five gold medals (5 km: 1999, 10 km: 2001, 2003, and 15 km: 2001, 2003) from the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, as well as two silver (4 × 5 km relay: 1997, 2001) medals. She won the overall cross-country skiing World Cup four times before retiring after the 2003 season.
Skari also won the women's 30 km event at the Holmenkollen ski festival in 2003. In 2001, she received the Holmenkollen medal (shared with Adam Małysz and Thomas Alsgaard). Her father, Odd Martinsen, earned the Holmenkollen medal in 1969. They are the only father-daughter combination to ever win this prestigious honour.
In 1998, she won Tjejvasan.

## After retirement

In 2007, Skari was named as the first female race administrator in cross-country skiing. She assisted in the 2007-08 Tour de Ski, working as an assistant technical delegate in the events held in the Czech Republic. This is part of the Norwegian Ski Federation's effort to promote more women in management positions in skiing.

## Cross-country skiing results

All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).

### Olympic Games

* 5 medals – (1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze)
| Year | Age | 5 km | 10 km | 15 km | Pursuit | 30 km | Sprint | 4 × 5 km  relay |
| 1994 | 21 | — | — | 20 | — | — | — | — |
| 1998 | 25 | Bronze | — | 6 | 9 | — | — | Silver |
| 2002 | 29 | — | Gold | — | 6 | Bronze | — | Silver |

### World Championships

* 7 medals – (5 gold, 2 silver)
| Year | Age | 5 km | 10 km | 15 km | Pursuit | 30 km | Sprint | 4 × 5 km  relay |
| 1995 | 22 | — | — | 13 | — | — | — | — |
| 1997 | 24 | 8 | — | — | 17 | 8 | — | Silver |
| 1999 | 26 | Gold | — | — | 8 | DNF | — | 4 |
| 2001 | 28 | — | Gold | Gold | 5 | CNX | 15 | Silver |
| 2003 | 30 | — | Gold | Gold | DNS | — | — | — |
    a. $^1$ Cancelled due to extremely cold weather.

### World Cup
#### Season titles

* 9 titles – (4 overall, 5 sprint)
| Season |
| Season | Discipline |
| 1998 | Sprint |
| 1999 | Overall |
| 1999 | Sprint |
| 2000 | Overall |
| 2000 | Sprint |
| 2001 | Sprint |
| 2002 | Overall |
| 2002 | Sprint |
| 2003 | Overall |

#### Season standings

| Season | Age | Overall | Long Distance | Long Distance | Sprint |
| 1992 | 20 | NC | — | — | — |
| 1994 | 22 | 32 | — | — | — |
| 1995 | 23 | 25 | — | — | — |
| 1996 | 24 | 12 | — | — | — |
| 1997 | 25 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 4 |
| 1998 | 26 | | 10 | 10 | |
| 1999 | 27 | | 13 | 13 | |
| 2000 | 28 | | 5 | 6 | |
| 2001 | 29 | | — | — | |
| 2002 | 30 | | — | — | |
| 2003 | 31 | | — | — | |
    a. $^1$ 5th in the Long Distance World Cup. $^2$ 6th in the Middle Distance World Cup.

#### Individual podiums

* 42 victories
* 60 podiums
| No. | Season | Date | Location | Race | Level | Place |
| 1 | 1996–97 | 18 December 1996 | Oberstdorf, Germany | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 2nd |
| 2 | 1996–97 | 3 November 1997 | Sunne, Sweden | 1.0 km Sprint F | World Cup | 3rd |
| 3 | 1997–98 | 22 November 1997 | Beitostølen, Norway | 5 km Individual C | World Cup | 2nd |
| 4 | 1997–98 | 10 December 1997 | Milan, Italy | 1.5 km Sprint F | World Cup | 1st |
| 5 | 1997–98 | 13 December 1997 | Val di Fiemme, Italy | 5 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 6 | 1997–98 | 8 January 1998 | Ramsau, Austria | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 2nd |
| 7 | 1997–98 | 9 January 1998 | Ramsau, Austria | 5 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 8 | 1998–99 | 10 December 1998 | Milan, Italy | 0.6 km Sprint F | World Cup | 3rd |
| 9 | 1998–99 | 13 December 1998 | Toblach, Italy | 10 km Pursuit C | World Cup | 1st |
| 10 | 1998–99 | 19 December 1998 | Davos, Switzerland | 15 km Individual C | World Cup | 2nd |
| 11 | 1998–99 | 27 December 1998 | Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany | 1.5 km Sprint F | World Cup | 1st |
| 12 | 1998–99 | 28 December 1998 | Engelberg, Switzerland | 1.5 km Sprint F | World Cup | 1st |
| 13 | 1998–99 | 29 December 1998 | Kitzbühel, Austria | 1.5 km Sprint F | World Cup | 1st |
| 14 | 1998–99 | 5 January 1999 | Otepää, Estonia | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 15 | 1998–99 | 9 January 1999 | Nové Město, Czech Republic | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 16 | 1998–99 | 22 February 1999 | Ramsau, Austria | 5 km Individual C | World Championships | 1st |
| 17 | 1998–99 | 7 March 1999 | Lahti, Finland | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 2nd |
| 18 | 1999–00 | 27 November 1999 | Kiruna, Sweden | 5 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 19 | 1999–00 | 18 December 1999 | Davos, Switzerland | 15 km Individual C | World Cup | 3rd |
| 20 | 1999–00 | 28 December 1999 | Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany | 1.5 km Sprint F | World Cup | 2nd |
| 21 | 1999–00 | 29 December 1999 | Kitzbühel, Austria | 1.5 km Sprint F | World Cup | 1st |
| 22 | 1999–00 | 12 January 2000 | Nové Město, Czech Republic | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 3rd |
| 23 | 1999–00 | 28 February 2000 | Stockholm, Sweden | 1.5 km Sprint C | World Cup | 1st |
| 24 | 1999–00 | 3 March 2000 | Lahti, Finland | 1.5 km Sprint F | World Cup | 2nd |
| 25 | 1999–00 | 5 March 2000 | Lahti, Finland | 15 km Mass Start C | World Cup | 2nd |
| 26 | 1999–00 | 8 March 2000 | Oslo, Norway | 1.5 km Sprint C | World Cup | 1st |
| 27 | 1999–00 | 17 March 2000 | Bormio, Italy | 5 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 28 | 2000–01 | 25 November 2000 | Beitostølen, Norway | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 29 | 2000–01 | 16 December 2000 | Brusson, Italy | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 30 | 2000–01 | 20 December 2000 | Davos, Switzerland | 15 km Individual C | World Cup | 2nd |
| 31 | 2000–01 | 28 December 2000 | Engelberg, Switzerland | 1.5 km Sprint F | World Cup | 1st |
| 32 | 2000–01 | 14 January 2001 | Soldier Hollow, United States | 1.0 km Sprint F | World Cup | 1st |
| 33 | 2000–01 | 1 February 2001 | Asiago, Italy | 1.5 km Sprint F | World Cup | 1st |
| 34 | 2000–01 | 10 February 2001 | Otepää, Estonia | 5 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 35 | 2000–01 | 7 March 2001 | Oslo, Norway | 1.0 km Sprint C | World Cup | 2nd |
| 36 | 2000–01 | 10 March 2001 | Oslo, Norway | 30 km Individual C | World Cup | 2nd |
| 37 | 2000–01 | 18 March 2001 | Falun, Sweden | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 2nd |
| 38 | 2001–02 | 24 November 2001 | Kuopio, Finland | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 39 | 2001–02 | 8 December 2001 | Cogne, Italy | 5 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 40 | 2001–02 | 15 December 2001 | Davos, Switzerland | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 41 | 2001–02 | 19 December 2001 | Asiago, Italy | 1.5 km Sprint C | World Cup | 1st |
| 42 | 2001–02 | 5 January 2002 | Val di Fiemme, Italy | 5 km + 5 km Pursuit C/F | World Cup | 2nd |
| 43 | 2001–02 | 8 January 2002 | Val di Fiemme, Italy | 15 km Mass Start C | World Cup | 1st |
| 44 | 2001–02 | 5 March 2002 | Stockholm, Sweden | 1.5 km Sprint C | World Cup | 1st |
| 45 | 2001–02 | 13 March 2002 | Oslo, Norway | 1.5 km Sprint C | World Cup | 1st |
| 46 | 2002–03 | 30 November 2002 | Rukatunturi, Finland | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 47 | 2002–03 | 7 December 2002 | Davos, Switzerland | 10 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st |
| 48 | 2002–03 | 14 December 2002 | Cogne, Italy | 15 km Mass Start C | World Cup | 1st |
| 49 | 2002–03 | 15 December 2002 | Cogne, Italy | 1.5 km Sprint C | World Cup | 1st |
| 50 | 2002–03 | 21 December 2002 | Ramsau, Austria | 5 km + 5 km Pursuit C/F | World Cup | 1st |
| 51 | 2002–03 | 12 January 2003 | Otepää, Estonia | 15 km Mass Start C | World Cup | 1st |
| 52 | 2002–03 | 18 January 2003 | Nové Město, Czech Republic | 10 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st |
| 53 | 2002–03 | 25 January 2003 | Oberhof, Germany | 10 km Mass Start C | World Cup | 1st |
| 54 | 2002–03 | 15 February 2003 | Asiago, Germany | 5 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 55 | 2002–03 | 6 March 2003 | Oslo, Norway | 1.5 km Sprint C | World Cup | 1st |
| 56 | 2002–03 | 8 March 2003 | Oslo, Norway | 30 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 57 | 2002–03 | 11 March 2003 | Drammen, Norway | 1.5 km Sprint C | World Cup | 1st |
| 58 | 2002–03 | 16 March 2003 | Lahti, Finland | 10 km Individual F | World Cup | 3rd |
| 59 | 2002–03 | 20 March 2003 | Borlänge, Sweden | 1.5 km Sprint F | World Cup | 1st |
| 60 | 2002–03 | 22 March 2003 | Falun, Sweden | 5 km + 5 km Pursuit C/F | World Cup | 1st |

#### Team podiums

* 5 victories – (4 RL, 1 TS)
* 23 podiums – (22 RL, 1 TS)
| No. | Season | Date | Location | Race | Level | Place | Teammate(s) |
| 1 | 1994–95 | 29 January 1995 | Lahti, Finland | 4 × 5 km Relay F | World Cup | 3rd | Moen / Nilsen / Dybendahl-Hartz |
| 2 | 1994–95 | 7 February 1995 | Hamar, Norway | 4 × 3 km Relay F | World Cup | 2nd | Moen / Nilsen / Dybendahl-Hartz |
| 3 | 1995–96 | 14 January 1996 | Nové Město, Czech Republic | 4 × 5 km Relay C | World Cup | 2nd | Moen / Mikkelsplass / Dybendahl-Hartz |
| 4 | 1995–96 | 10 March 1996 | Falun, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 2nd | Mikkelsplass / Dybendahl-Hartz / Moen |
| 5 | 1995–96 | 17 March 1996 | Oslo, Norway | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 3rd | Mikkelsplass / Sorkmo / Moen |
| 6 | 1996–97 | 24 November 1996 | Kiruna, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C | World Cup | 2nd | Dybendahl-Hartz / Mikkelsplass / Moen |
| 7 | 1996–97 | 8 December 1996 | Davos, Switzerland | 4 × 5 km Relay C | World Cup | 1st | Moen / Mikkelsplass / Dybendahl-Hartz |
| 8 | 1996–97 | 28 February 1997 | Trondheim, Norway | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Championships | 2nd | Mikkelsplass / Nilsen / Dybendahl-Hartz |
| 9 | 1996–97 | 9 March 1997 | Falun, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 2nd | Dybendahl-Hartz / Nilsen / Sorkmo |
| 10 | 1997–98 | 23 November 1997 | Beitostølen, Norway | 4 × 5 km Relay C | World Cup | 2nd | Moen / Mikkelsplass / Dybendahl-Hartz |
| 11 | 1997–98 | 6 March 1998 | Lahti, Finland | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 2nd | Mikkelsplass / Nilsen / Dybendahl-Hartz |
| 12 | 1998–99 | 28 November 1998 | Muonio, Finland | 4 × 5 km Relay F | World Cup | 3rd | Nilsen / Moen / Sorkmo |
| 13 | 1998–99 | 10 January 1999 | Nové Město, Czech Republic | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 2nd | Sorkmo / Moen / Nilsen |
| 14 | 1998–99 | 21 March 1999 | Oslo, Norway | 4 × 5 km Relay C | World Cup | 3rd | Glomsås / Nilsen / Moen |
| 15 | 1999–00 | 28 November 1999 | Kiruna, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay F | World Cup | 3rd | Nilsen / Pedersen / Moen |
| 16 | 1999–00 | 8 December 1999 | Asiago, Italy | Team Sprint F | World Cup | 1st | Moen |
| 17 | 1999–00 | 19 December 1999 | Davos, Switzerland | 4 × 5 km Relay C | World Cup | 2nd | Moen / Glomsås / Nilsen |
| 18 | 1999–00 | 13 January 2000 | Nové Město, Czech Republic | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 3rd | Moen / Nilsen / Sorkmo |
| 19 | 2000–01 | 9 December 2000 | Santa Caterina, Italy | 4 × 3 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 2nd | Bay / Nilsen / Pedersen |
| 20 | 2001–02 | 16 December 2001 | Davos, Switzerland | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 1st | Bay / Pedersen / Skofterud |
| 21 | 2002–03 | 24 November 2002 | Kiruna, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 1st | Moen / Sorkmo / Skofterud |
| 22 | 2002–03 | 8 December 2002 | Davos, Switzerland | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 1st | Skofterud / Pedersen / Sorkmo |
| 23 | 2002–03 | 23 March 2003 | Falun, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 2nd | Moen / Pedersen / Steira |
| Source: ||||||||
Note: $^1$ Until the 1999 World Championships, World Championship races were included in the World Cup scoring system.

#### Overall record

| Result | Distance Races | Distance Races | Distance Races | Distance Races | Distance Races | Distance Races | Sprint | Ski Tours | Individual Events | Team Events | Team Events | Team Events | All Events |
| Result | ≤ 5 km | ≤ 10 km | ≤ 15 km | ≤ 30 km | ≥ 30 km | Pursuit | Sprint | Ski Tours | Individual Events | Team Sprint | Relay | Mixed Relay | All Events |
| 1st place | 8 | 11 | 3 | 1 | – | 2 | 17 | – | 42 | 1 | 4 | – | 47 |
| 2nd place | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | – | 1 | 3 | – | 13 | – | 12 | – | 25 |
| 3rd place | – | 2 | 1 | – | – | – | 2 | – | 5 | – | 6 | – | 11 |
| Podiums | 9 | 17 | 7 | 2 | – | 3 | 22 | – | 60 | 1 | 22 | – | 83 |
| Top 10 | 16 | 24 | 13 | 5 | – | 7 | 25 | – | 90 | 1 | 26 | 1 | 118 |
| Points | 29 | 41 | 21 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 28 | – | 140 | 1 | 26 | 1 | 168 |
| Others | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | 2 | – | – | – | 2 |
| DNF | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Starts | 30 | 41 | 22 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 28 | – | 143 | 1 | 26 | 1 | 171 |
    a. $^1$ Classification is made according to FIS classification.
    b. $^1$ $^2$ $^3$ $^4$ $^5$ Includes individual and mass start races.
    c. $^1$ Includes pursuit and double pursuit races.
    d. $^1$ May be incomplete due to lack of appropriate sources for some relay races prior to 1995/96 World Cup season.
Note: Until 1999 World Championships and 1994 Olympics, World Championship and Olympic races are part of the World Cup. Hence results from those races are included in the World Cup overall record.

## Personal life

Bente Skari was named Martinsen before marrying Geir Skari in 1999. She is the mother of three children, Filip, Oda and Selma.