"Our best man is a little woman"

The portrayal of downhill skier Sarah Thomasson in national newspapers, 1949-1955.

Abstract

This article highlights the daily press’s portrayal of the Swedish-
Sami downhill skier Sarah Thomasson (1925-1996) during the period
1949-1955. This study shows that the daily press’s portrayal
of Thomasson was characterized by a dualistic and essentialist
approach to gender and ethnicity. The portrayal was marked by
the performative nature of the daily press. Thomasson was depicted
partly as an experienced and confident sportswoman, partly
as calm and non-competitive. Her hybridity – being conveyed as
downhill skier, Sámi and woman – was underlined in the in the
press coverage.