So when it came time to lace 'em up again in Hamar, Norway at the Vikingskipet Olympiahalle on the weekend of Dec. 13-14, there was some question as to how much of a success, aesthetic or otherwise, it would be. There were reports on Norwegian TV that only 10 people had bought tickets beforehand. The ice was put in place just eight days before the competition, which lent credence to the possibility of sub-par times. Niemann-Stirnemann did not compete because of a knee injury. Emese Hunyady of Austria won the women's 1,500m and Kjell Storelid's victory in the 5000m sent the Norwegian faithful home happy.
All winners set respective country, track and personal bests.
Witty takes bronze at Hamar As far as Americans go, it was an all right fortnight. Chris Witty's concentration on 1,500m is paying off in a big way. The U.S. Olympic Committee's November Female Athlete of the Month won the first bronze medal of her career in that distance in Hamar on Dec. 14. Witty has now won a gold and 4 bronze so far this season. Boutiette finished 10th in the Hamar men's 5,000m.