Clarence Servold
Cross Country / Nordic Combined Skiing Athlete — Inducted 1990
Clarence Servold was a pioneering Canadian cross-country and Nordic combined skier whose achievements helped establish Canada’s international reputation in Nordic skiing during the 1950s and 1960s.
A member of the Camrose Ski Club beginning in the early 1940s, Servold played an important role in developing competitive skiing in Alberta by helping organize local, provincial, and national competitions. His dedication to training and sport development quickly translated into competitive success.
In 1955, Servold captured the Canadian Cross-Country Skiing Championships in both the 15-kilometre and 30-kilometre events, while also winning the Canadian Nordic Combined title in the same season — an extraordinary accomplishment demonstrating his versatility and endurance.
He earned selection to represent Canada at the 1956 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. There, Servold finished nineteenth in the 15 km cross-country event and twenty-second in the 50 km event. At the time, these performances represented the highest Olympic placings ever achieved by a North American cross-country skier, a record that stood for more than three decades until challenged at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Servold later continued his success domestically, winning the Canadian Senior Division 15 km Cross-Country Championship in 1964.
In addition to his Canadian accomplishments, Servold enjoyed an outstanding collegiate career at the University of Denver in the United States. He became the first two-time NCAA Cross-Country Champion in 1958 and 1959 and earned All-American honours both years. The Denver Post described him as “the best cross-country man in college history.”
After Induction
Following his competitive career, Clarence Servold remained deeply involved in the advancement of Nordic skiing both nationally and internationally.
He served as an ambassador for the sport by travelling worldwide to inspect venues considered for future World Championships and Olympic Winter Games. Servold became the first Canadian representative appointed to the Cross-Country Committee of the International Ski Federation (FIS).
He also contributed to Alberta sport development by assisting the Calgary Olympic Development Association during the successful bid for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games.
In recognition of his lifelong dedication to skiing, Servold was honoured in 1988 when he lit the Olympic Flame at the Canmore Nordic Centre during the Calgary Winter Olympics.
Clarence Servold passed away on February 4, 2019, at the age of 91.
Awards and Honours
- 1955 — Canadian Cross-Country Champion — 15 km
- 1955 — Canadian Cross-Country Champion — 30 km
- 1955 — Canadian Nordic Combined Champion
- 1956 — Member, Canadian Olympic Ski Team (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
- 1958 & 1959 — NCAA Cross-Country Champion — University of Denver
- 1958 & 1959 — NCAA All-American Honours
- 1964 — Canadian Senior Division Cross-Country Champion — 15 km
- Lifetime Member — Camrose Ski Club
- Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Inductee
- Camrose Lions Hall of Fame Member
- Calgary Olympic Hall of Fame Member
- 2004 — University of Denver Athletic Hall of Fame
- 1990 — Alberta Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Career Highlights
- Highest Olympic placing by a North American cross-country skier in 1956
- First two-time NCAA Cross-Country Champion at the University of Denver
- Played a major role in developing competitive Nordic skiing in Alberta
- Assisted Calgary’s successful bid for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games
