Ridderspranget

Inspirational biography telling the story of the norwegian cultural icon Erling Stordahl. Born in 1923 with limited eyesight, and losing vision completely by age 13, he nevertheless became a famous singer. Later on in life he used his fame to promote improved standards of life for handicapped people in many countries. "Ridderrennet" or "the knight's race", now a yearly cross country skiing event for thousands of handicapped individuals and groups from many nations at Beitostølen, Norway, was instituted by Erling Stordahl in 1964. He also initiated the Vinland National Center in Minnesota and China Rehabilitation and Research Center in Beijing. Erlig Stordahl became Knight oft the order of St.Olav in 1967, and advanced to Commander of the order of St.Olav in 1994. When Erling Stordahl died at age 71 in october of 1994, he was given a norwegian state funural.