The 1908 World Allround Speed Skating Championships took place at 8 and 9 February 1908 at the ice rink Eisstadion in Davos, Switzerland. THis year it was the first time also Silver and Bronze medals were awarded. Also a point system was introduced to make a ranking, but the rule that if one won three distances became automatic World champion was still valid.
There was no defending champion. Oscar Mathisen won three distances and became World champion. He also had the lowest number of points awarded.
Allround results PlaceAthleteCountryPoints500m5000m1500m10000m Oscar Mathisen 13 54.4 (14)* 8:55.4 (1) 2:20.8 (1) 18:01.8 (1) Martin Sæterhaug 13,5 46.2 (4) 9:04.4 (4) 2:23.4 (2) 18:28.6 (5) Moje Öholm 15 45.2 (2) 9:04.8 (5) 2:23.6 (4) 18:30.2 (6)4 Gunnar Strömstén Finland 16 47.2 (7) 9:01.6 (3) 2:25.4 (7) 18:04.0 (2)5 Antti Wiklund Finland 16 47.4 (8) 9:01.4 (2) 2:24.2 (5) 18:24.0 (4)6 Thomas Bohrer Austria 19,5 46.2 (4) 9:42.8 (8) 2:27.6 (9) 18:21.2 (3)7 Arne Schrey Finland 23 46.4 (6) 9:07.6 (6) 2:24.4 (6) 18:55.2 (8)8 Jean Pettersson 30 48.4 (10) 9:53.0 (9) 2:29.8 (11) 18:53.0 (7)9 Ejnar Sørensen 36 49.6 (11) 10:26.4 (15)* 2:34.0 (13) 19:07.4 (9)10 Frederick Dix 38 51.6 (13) 9:54.0 (10) 2:35.0 (14) 19:11.4 (10)NC Johan Vikander Finland – 44.8 (1) 9:20.6 (7) 2:23.4 (2) NSNC Sigurd Mathisen – 45.4 (3) 9:56.4 (11) 2:26.2 (8) NSNC Franz Wathén Finland – 47.4 (8) 10:00.8 (12) 2:27.8 (10) NSNC Franz Schilling Austria – 50.4 (12) 10:07.2 (13) 2:32.0 (12) NSNC Henny Kalt – NF 10:18.6 (14) NS NS * = Fell NC = Not classified NF = Not finished NS = Not started DQ = Disqualified Source: SpeedSkatingStats.com
Rules Four distances have to be skated: 500m 1500m 5000m 10000m
The ranking was made by award ranking points. The points were awarded to the skaters who had skated all the distances. The final ranking was then decided by ordering the skaters by lowest point totals. 1 point for 1st place 2 point for 2nd place 3 point for 3rd place and so on
One could win the World Championships also by winning at least three of the four distances, so the ranking could be affected by this.
Silver and bronze medals were awarded.
References