Mariann Marthinsen (born 9 September 1984) is a Norwegian cross-country skier and swimmer. She won a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Paralympics, and won Norway's only gold medal at 2014 Winter Paralympics.

Mariann Marthinsen
Mariann Marthinsen at the 2014 Winter Paralympics
Personal information
Birth nameMariann Vestbostad
National teamNorway
Born (1984-09-09) September 9, 1984 (age 40)
Alma materWestern Norway University of Applied Sciences
OccupationSocial worker
SpouseHermund Marthinsen
Sport
CountryNorway
SportCross-country skiing, swimming
DisabilityRight leg amputation
Disability classS8
ClubVestkanttorvet swimmers
Coached byTorbjørn Brox Pettersen
Retired2015
Medal record
Representing  Norway
Women's cross-country skiing
Paralympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2014 Sochi 1km sprint classic, sitting
Women's swimming
Paralympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Beijing 100 metre backstroke S8
Updated on 15 November 2017

Career

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Mariann Marthinsen (née Vestbostad) was born on 9 September 1984.[1] Her right leg was amputated when she was two, following a road traffic accident.[2] She attended Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, where she studied Social Work Studies, later going on to become a social worker. In 2003, she began competing in swimming.[1] During the course of her swimming career, she set 17 world records and won a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, China, in the women's 100 metre backstroke S8, and also competed in freestyle races.[2]

Also in 2008, she decided to take up cross-country skiing, going on to win the seated skiing World Cup in 2013/14.[2] At the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia, she won Norway's first gold medal at a Winter Paralympics with a victory in the women's 1km sprint classic, sitting. Marthinsen had led in the prologue round, and then in her heat but entered the final as the third fastest. She entered the last corner in fourth place, but took the lead with a few metres to go.[3] In the 5 km race, one of her skis were damaged early in the race, resulting in Marthinsen finishing in 15th place.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b "MARTHINSEN Mariann". Paralympic.org. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "- En helt ubeskrivelig følelse". Dagbladet. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  3. ^ Lyngoy, Roar (12 March 2014). "Gull-Marthinsen: – Helt ubeskrivelig!". Aftenposten (in Norwegian). Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  4. ^ "Ulset på 6.-plass i Paralympics". Sunnmorsposten. 16 March 2014. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.