Bruce Haslingden

Edward Bruce Haslingden (c. 1922 – April 17, 2007) was an Australian cross country skier who competed in the 1950s. He finished 74th in the 18 km event at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo. Haslingden also competed in the 50 km event at those same games, but did not finish. [ [http://www.olympics.com.au/athletes.cfm?AthleteID=2752 Australian Olympic Committee results for Bruce Haslingden] ] Together with Cedric Sloane, as part of Australia's first Winter Olympics team, [http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/2006/s1571463.htm ABC, "Former winter Olympian celebrates gold medal win for Begg-Smith" 16 February 2005] ] they were the first Australians to compete at the Winter Olympics in the sport of cross country skiing. [ [http://www.olympics.com.au/sports.cfm?SportID=35&DisciplineID=22 Australian Olympic Committee Cross-Country Skiing] ]

Haslingden's place at the Olympics was secured by 'qualifying' in a selection trial at Perisher Valley. [http://www.abc.net.au/rural/telegraph/content/2006/s1572100.htm ABC, "Skiing farmer remembers his Olympics"] ] Haslingden was a grazier in the Cooma region of New South Wales who trained for the event on his farm. He later retired to Merimbula, New South Wales.

Haslingden died on 17 April 2007 from a staphylococcus infection acquired on his farm. [ [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21588377-2722,00.html "Olympic pioneer dies at 84", "The Australian", 20 April 2007.] ] [ [http://www.obituary.com.au/obituary/index.php?s=Haslingden Obituary: Edward Bruce Haslingden] ]

ee also

*Cross-country skiing at the 1952 Winter Olympics - Men's 18 km
*Cross-country skiing at the 1952 Winter Olympics - Men's 50 km

References

External links

* [http://users.skynet.be/hermandw/olymp/srccsm18.html 18 km Olympic cross country results: 1948-52]
* [http://users.skynet.be/hermandw/olymp/srccsm50.html Olympic 50 km cross country skiing results: 1948-64]