The Vikings In Black

The VIB are Svenhärd, Thorfinn, and Bjorn, three half-Swedish brothers originally from Roscoe, Illinois. They were raised by Karin and George Skupien (sponsors and huge supporters) to be dedicated to their work but to never forget to have fun doing it.

Svenhärd began sculpting in 1990 as part of another team and was joined the following year by Thorfinn. Together with sculptor Bob Belt, the team won its first state award (Third Place) for a Gulf War piece entitled "The Graduate." The following year they competed in Nationals for the first time.

In 1993, Bob Belt left the team and was replaced by another brother, Bjorn. The team began wearing matching grey coveralls and were unofficially dubbed "The Sewer Workers" by fellow state sculptors.

In 1994, the team donned all black snow suits and face masks and became "The Ninja Sculptors" (again a name given by other sculptors). That year's sculpture "Mjolnir" (depicting the Norse god Thor) won the team a Second Place state award and a return trip to Nationals (where they have been every year since). They began the tradition of handing out bottles of "Bjorn's Bitchin' Glug."

1995: The Ninja Sculptors officially became "The Mighty Morphin' Swedish Mutant Ninja Sculptors" to entertain the young "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" fans. The Ninjas took First Place in state for "John Henry" and Fifth Place at Nationals for "Death of Cleopatra."

1996: The Ninjas lose their minds and don quasi-Viking helmets and fake weapons. They are featured on NBC News and Fox Kids' Club nationally, as well as numerous newspapers and Lake Geneva radio. The piece "Tarzan: The Death of Kerchak" wins International Peoples' Choice against Italy and Wales.

1997: The Ninjas win First Place in state for their tribute to local Native American hero Keokuk.

1998: Due to the absence of the "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" on television, the Ninjas change their name to the "Vikings In Black" so that kids will still think they're funny. The VIB wins International Peoples' Choice for "King Conan", Nationals Peoples' Choice for "Odin, The Allfather", and Nationals OHM Award For Spirit.

1999: The VIB are beaten for the first time by arch-enemies "The Kilted Snow Weasels" at state, taking Third for "Perseus Presents Medusa."

2000: Once again, the VIB take Third, this time for "Vagen til Valhalla." The words "I would have given you first if you had finished your piece" would haunt the VIB for many months afterwards.

2001: Everybody sucked... not just us... no, really.

2002: The VIB takes an Honorable Mention for "Sweetness", a tribute to Walter Payton ORDERED by Bjorn and Thorfinn. The Weasels win First Place for a second time.

2002 UPDATE: Thorfinn narrowly survives being hit by a drunk driver while walking across the street to his house... ending his boxing career and spawning a much, much angrier Viking!

2003 Following the canceling of the Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition due to incredibly uncooperative weather, the VIB competed at the United States Snow Sculpting Nationals with "Peace Of Mind." Thor was hurting, but sucked-it-up like a true Viking! Bjorn says "Worst piece ever!" Sven says "Pretty damn good considering one of our team was hit by a car!"

2004: The Vikings reclaim the State Champion title! Woo Hoo! Weasels Drool!

2005: Deciding to finally just do something for the youngins, the VIB created the International Peoples' Choice Award winning piece "Super Grover." They also returned to Nationals and contributed the piece "Perseverance."

2006: The VIB defy the very laws of nature and bring home the Peoples' Choice Award in the State competition for "Priorities", something that perplexed everyone that knows them. They also took Fourth Place.

2007: The VIB triumph again and win First Place in the Illinois State Snow Sculpting Competition for the fourth time with their second sculpture depicting the Norse god Thor: "The Crusher".

Svenhärd has worked professionally as an animator and web designer since 1987. Thorfinn is nomad, having worked as a cook, with the mentally disabled, and on UPS's loading docks. He currently works at an institution for the criminally insane.. Bjorn has been a certified auto-technician since the dawn of time.

The VIB have always strived to bring fun and entertainment to the art of snow sculpting, because it is an event for the people who come to see the amazing works. Their ultimate goal is to represent the U.S. both as artists and entertainers at the Olympics. As Thorfinn puts it, "We want to bring foolishness to the Olympics."