Benjam Vanninen

Apart from his Olympic medal, Benjam Vanninen won the 50 km at the Lahti Ski Games in 1946 and 1948. Vanninen never won a Finnish title, but earned two silvers in the 18 km in 1945 and 1947 at the Finnish Championships. He also won the 50 km race at Ounasvaara in 1946 and 1947. After his sporting career Vanninen worked as a customs officer, merchant and as a ski wax and skating equipment manufacturer. His brother Pekka was also a cross-country skier, who won six Finnish Championships titles at 50 km and finished fourth in the 50 km, behind his younger brother, at the 1948 Olympic Winter Games.