Vibeke Westbye Skofterud (20 April 1980 – 29 July 2018) was a Norwegian cross-country skier. She won gold in the 4 × 5 km relay at Vancouver in 2010. Her best individual finish at the Winter Olympics was eighth in the 30 km event at Salt Lake City in 2002.
Skofterud won a complete set of 4 × 5 km relay medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships (gold: 2005, gold: 2011, silver: 2003, bronze: 2007) and earned her best individual finish of 13th in the 5 km + 5 km double pursuit in 2003.
Her first individual victory came in a pursuit race in Norway in 2006.
In 2012, Skofterud became the first Norwegian to win the Vasaloppet official ladies class. She set a new record time, 4.08,24, more than 8 minutes faster than the previous record from 1998. This was the first time ever she competed in a race as long as 90 km.
The 2012/2013 World Cup season proved to be difficult for Skofterud, due to illness and injuries, and she was forced to quit the season halfway through. She made a comeback on the national team the following winter. After failing to qualify for the 2014 Winter Olympics, Skofterud announced her retirement from the national team, in favour of a career in ski marathon.
She retired from cross-country skiing in 2015.
Cross-country skiing results All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).
Olympic Games 1 medal – (1 gold)
Year Age 10 km 15 km Pursuit 30 km Sprint 4 × 5 km relay Team sprint 2002 21 — 28 28 8 21 — 2010 29 22 — — Gold —
World Championships 4 medals – (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) Year Age 10 km 15 km Pursuit 30 km Sprint 4 × 5 km relay Team sprint 2001 20 — — 36 16 — 2003 22 22 — 13 — — Silver 2005 24 — 15 — 37 — Gold 2007 26 21 13 — 33 Bronze — 2011 30 9 — 6 — Gold —
a. Cancelled due to extremely cold weather.
World Cup Season standings Season Age Discipline standingsSki Tour standingsOverallDistanceLong DistanceMiddle DistanceSprintNordicOpeningTour deSkiWorld CupFinal 2000 20 83 — 58 2001 21 43 28 2002 22 11 14 2003 23 21 13 2004 24 13 13 27 2005 25 28 23 30 2006 26 43 31 69 2007 27 15 11 75 9 2008 28 30 20 79 — 2009 29 57 37 — — — 2010 30 18 12 59 27 2011 31 27 17 31 6 — 2012 32 11 6 33 — 2013 33 23 18 7 — — 2014 34 56 33 21 —
Individual podiums
15 podiums – (12 , 3 )
No. Season Date Location Race Level Place1 2001–02 8 December 2001 Cogne, Italy 5 km Individual C World Cup 3rd2 9 December 2001 1.5 km Sprint F World Cup 2nd3 23 March 2002 Birkebeinerrennet, Norway 58 km Mass Start C World Cup 2nd4 2003–04 28 November 2003 Rukatunturi, Finland 10 km Individual C World Cup 2nd5 2007–08 24 November 2007 Beitostølen, Norway 10 km Individual F World Cup 2nd6 8 December 2007 Davos, Switzerland 10 km Individual C World Cup 2nd7 2009–10 29 November 2009 Rukatunturi, Finland 10 km Individual C World Cup 3rd8 2011–12 19 November 2011 Sjusjøen, Norway 10 km Individual F World Cup 3rd9 25 November 2011 Rukatunturi, Finland 1.2 km Sprint C Stage World Cup 3rd10 26 November 2011 5 km Individual F Stage World Cup 2nd11 27 November 2011 10 km Pursuit C Stage World Cup 3rd12 25–27 November 2011 Nordic Opening Overall Standings World Cup 3rd13 10 December 2011 Davos, Switzerland 15 km Individual F World Cup 2nd14 17 December 2011 Rogla, Slovenia 10 km Mass Start C World Cup 2nd15 2012–13 16 December 2012 Canmore, Canada 7.5 km + 7.5 km Skiathlon C/F World Cup 3rd
Team podiums 17 victories – (17 ) 23 podiums – (23 ) No. Season Date Location Race Level Place Teammates12001–02 16 December 2001 Davos, Switzerland 4 × 5 km Relay C/FWorld Cup 1st Bay / Skari / Pedersen 2 10 March 2002 Falun, Sweden 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 2nd Moen / Bjørgen / Pedersen32002–03 24 November 2002 Kiruna, Sweden 4 × 5 km Relay C/FWorld Cup 1st Moen / Skari / Sorkmo 4 8 December 2002 Davos, Switzerland 4 x 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 1st Skari / Pedersen / Sorkmo5 2003–04 23 November 2003 Beitostølen, Norway 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 1st Pedersen / Steira / Bjørgen6 14 December 2003 Davos, Switzerland 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 1st Bjørgen / Stemland / Pedersen7 11 January 2004 Otepää, Estonia 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 1st Pedersen / Steira / Bjørgen8 22 February 2004 Umeå, Sweden 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 1st Bjørgen / Steira / Pedersen 9 2004–05 24 November 2004 Gällivare, Sweden 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 1st Bjørnås / Pedersen / Bjørgen10 12 December 2004 Val di Fiemme, Italy 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 3rd Bjørnås / Pedersen / Bjørgen11 2005–06 20 November 2005 Beitostølen, Norway 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 1st Berg / Pedersen / Bjørgen12 15 January 2006 Val di Fiemme, Italy 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 3rd Bjørgen / Stemland / Steira13 2006–07 19 November 2006 Gällivare, Sweden 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 1st Pedersen / Steira / Bjørgen14 4 February 2007 Davos, Switzerland 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 2nd Jacobsen / Steira / Bjørgen15 2007–08 25 November 2007 Beitostølen, Norway 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 1st Jacobsen / Johaug / Bjørgen16 9 December 2007 Davos, Switzerland 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 1st Stemland / Johaug / Steira17 2009–10 22 November 2009 Beitostølen, Norway 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 2nd Johaug / Steira / Bjørgen18 2010–11 21 November 2010 Gällivare, Sweden 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 1st Johaug / Steira / Bjørgen19 19 December 2010 La Clusaz, France 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 1st Johaug / Steira / Bjørgen20 2011–12 20 November 2011 Sjusjøen, Norway 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 1st Johaug / Steira / Bjørgen21 12 February 2012 Nové Město, Czech Republic 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 1st Johaug / Jacobsen / Bjørgen22 2012–13 25 November 2012 Gällivare, Sweden 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 1st Johaug / Hagen / Bjørgen23 20 January 2013 La Clusaz, France 4 × 5 km Relay C/F World Cup 3rd Østberg / Hagen / Jacobsen
Personal life In 2005, Skofterud turned down an offer to appear in the Norwegian edition of the men's magazine FHM.Avlyste lettkledd fotografering The rejection came after pressure from the Norwegian Ski Federation.
Skofterud suffered from eating disorders, which she claimed as a reason for canceling many competitions in the previous seasons.
Skofterud confirmed in June 2008 that she was in a committed relationship with a woman. She had previously been in relationships with men.
Skofterud was reported missing in the early morning of 29 July 2018 and was found deceased on an islet. The police stated that she most likely died instantly from injuries after a jetski accident near Arendal. Skofterud was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident, with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit of 0.8‰. She was 38 years old.
References
External links
Official website