 thomas alsgaard (born 10 january 1972) is a norwegian cross-country skier. alsgaard is regarded by many as the best performer of the skate-style in cross-country skiing and many of today's best skiers have studied his technique. in total, alsgaard won 15 medals in the winter olympics and fis nordic world ski championships, making him one of the most successful skiers of all time. ==early life== born in flateby, enebakk, alsgaard began cross-country ski racing at the age of three. that was when he was entered into a race against many 5-year olds. he beat all of them. a year later, it was rumored that he was lost in the village the family lived in. in fact, he was found at the local ski area, just about to start his third time around a 9-kilometer loop. alsgaard says that his passion for skiing comes from liking to be outdoors. ==athletic career== alsgaard got his international breakthrough in the lillehammer 1994 winter olympics winning the 30 kilometre freestyle event. in total, alsgaard won 15 medal
1972_births Cross-country_skiers_at_the_1994_Winter_Olympics Cross-country_skiers_at_the_1998_Winter_Olympics Cross-country_skiers_at_the_2002_Winter_Olympics FIS_Nordic_World_Ski_Championships_medalists_in_cross-country_skiing Holmenkollen_medalists Holmenkollen_winners Living_people Male_cross-country_skiers Medalists_at_the_1994_Winter_Olympics Medalists_at_the_1998_Winter_Olympics Medalists_at_the_2002_Winter_Olympics Norwegian_cross-country_skiers Olympic_cross-country_skiers_of_Norway Olympic_gold_medalists_for_Norway Olympic_medalists_in_cross-country_skiing Olympic_silver_medalists_for_Norway