Elin Pikkuniemi facts for kids
Elin Eugenia Pikkuniemi was a famous Swedish cross-country skier and a primary school teacher. She was born on August 15, 1895, in Vojakkala, Sweden, and passed away on May 7, 1988, in Trönö, Sweden.
She was often called the "first skiing queen of Sweden." Elin was one of the most successful female cross-country skiers in Sweden during the late 1910s and early 1920s.
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A Champion Skier
Elin Pikkuniemi was a very talented athlete. She competed for different sports clubs throughout her career.
Early Success
From 1918 to 1922, Elin skied for a club called IFK Haparanda. During these years, she won an amazing five 10-kilometer races at the Swedish national championships. These championships are big competitions where the best skiers in Sweden race against each other. Winning five times showed how skilled she was!
Later Years in Skiing
After her early successes, Elin continued to compete. In the late 1920s, she skied for Järla IF. Later, in the 1930s, she competed for Hietaniemi SK. This shows her long and dedicated career in the sport.
A Recognized Sports Star
Elin Pikkuniemi's achievements were remembered for a long time.
Honored by the Public
In 1953, the Swedish Sports Confederation celebrated its 50th anniversary. To mark this special occasion, a newspaper called Svenska Dagbladet held a public vote. About 500 readers voted for Sweden's greatest sportspeople from a list of 150 athletes. Elin Pikkuniemi was the only woman on that list, which shows how highly she was regarded by the public.
