Full name: Laila Schou Nilsen Born: March 18, 1919 in Grefsen,
Oslo, Norway Died: July 30, 1998 in Lanzarote, Las Palmas, Spain
Affiliations: Grefsen IL, Grefsen, Vestre Aker (NOR) Sport:
Alpine Skiing Medals: 1 Bronze (1 Total) Laila Schou Nilsen is
reckoned by many as the greatest sportswomen in Norwegian
history. Her versatility was remarkable as she excelled in every
sport she tried: ski jumping, cross-country skiing, alpine
skiing, tennis, speed skating, handball, and she even
participated in the Monte Carlo Rally four times. At age 11, she
showed great talent as a ski jumper, but was not allowed to
compete against the boys. However, she was invited to make the
opening jump in the biggest national competition in ski jumping
for boys in 1931, and impressed with a stylish jump of 28
meters. In 1933, still not 14, she competed in the unofficial
national cross-country 5 km skiing championships for women in
Oslo, and surprised everybody by crossing the finishing line in
a time almost six minutes better than h