Technically it’s spring, but it’s still pretty cold in Sweden, where many lakes remain frozen. Swedish skier Erik Sunnerheim decided to take advantage of the wintry conditions by going ice skating — but to spice things up, he propelled himself using a power tool. Specifically, a chainsaw.
As you watch him zip across the frozen lake, you might think, Wow, that looks fun. Maybe I’ll try that. But you’ll probably realize that this is pretty dangerous and it’s probably best to just stay inside, watching Sunnerheim from the comfort of your couch.
World Figure Skating Championships, 1947
Caption from LIFE. Ice skater Barbara Ann Scott makes her school figures with perfect loops and whorls as she annexes the world championship in Stockholm.Tony Linck—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Five judges were from England, Denmark, U.S., Czechoslovakia and Switzerland. They wear numbers for identification. Upraised numbers signify points awarded each performance. They were accused of inexperience.Tony Linck—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. New pair skaters at contest were Kennedy kids, Michael, 19 and Karol, 14, who came from Seattle, Wash. Despite their youth they won second place.Tony Linck—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Uncrowned champion of the men skaters was 17-year-old Richard Button of Englewood, N.J. He led in points but judges voted 3 to 2 for Swiss contestant.Tony Linck—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Gretchen Merrill, U.S. champion, was Miss Scott's only serious rival for world title. She spoiled her chances on last day by falling down, won third place.Tony Linck—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Split jump was part of Button's flashy routine, which thrilled pro-American spectators, but only bewildered judges. Swedish press considered him the best.Tony Linck—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesWorld Figure Skating Championship in Stockholm, Sweden, 1947.Tony Linck—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesWorld Figure Skating Championship in Stockholm, Sweden, 1947.Tony Linck—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesWorld Figure Skating Championship in Stockholm, Sweden, 1947.Tony Linck—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesWorld Figure Skating Championship in Stockholm, Sweden, 1947.Tony Linck—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Miss Scott hurtles high into air in a flawless execution of difficult figure called a stag jump.Tony Linck—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. The women's finals, in which Miss. Scott (above) clinched her title, were held at night. The stadium was filled that night, but day attendance was slim. Standing room sold for about $1.10, which Sweden considered high.Tony Linck—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Barbara gets kissed by Richard Button after her victory. Good-luck piece is still around her neck.Tony Linck—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesBarbara Ann Scott with flowers at the World Figure Skating Championship in Stockholm, Sweden, 1947.Tony Linck—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
