A dozen years earlier on the same course in 1964, Egon Zimmermann posted a 2:18.16 to win the gold medal. In February, he caught attention with a silver in downhill at the World Championships in St. Moritz albeit over a second behind his teammate David Zwilling. Franz Klammer can be considered the greatest downhill skier of all time having won 25 downhill races, a record that still stands today in the men's race. Salmina was at Kitzbhel in 2003 the day Rahlves won. Four Hahnenkamm downhill titles (only Didier Cuche has more, with five). 1 mo. He is not only legendary as a skier, hes just a very great person.. I watch it every four years at the Olympics but Klammers run is on my Mount Rushmore of Most Exciting Events I have seen in nearly 50 years of watching sports. We would watch a lot of film and I had to put it in my head that I had to ski out of control and make these little mistakes everywhere., Before every ski scene, as Rahlves was examining the run in his mind, the director would scream at him, Daron, no, no, no, you got to ski Klammer style, Klammer style out of control.. In the 1975 season he won 8 of 9 World Cup downhill races, including his first of three consecutive victories (197577) on the prestigious Streif on the Hahnenkamm at Kitzbhel. Klammer's gold-medal-winning downhill run at the 1976 Innsbruck Olympics was anything but dull. Born: Dec. 3, 1958 (Mooswald, Carinthia, Austria) Kids call the Jamaican . His tiny village of Mooswald, north of Villach, was situated in the mountains but without a ski lift. Sport Skiing Country Austria Born December 03, 1953 Joined academy 2000 We became close friends and it was fun, said Klammer. The mind of a downhill skier - Franz Klammer Innsbruck 1976 | Olympic Winter games. Ever since I can remember, I have been on skis. We go for a beer and some nice talks, said Mayer. (Surely my fathers tape isnt the only known copy of this run in full?) I was not sure how much time I gained or lost, yet it gave me so much determination that I kept risking everything until the last meter. Frank Gifford who passed away yesterday at the age of 84 was known most as a Hall of Fame football player and the play-by-play man on Monday Night Football. So his knowledge bank on Klammer comes from the legend and from the longstanding friendship hes had with him. And his new girlfriend, Eva, was back home at college in Vienna. And she is still playing one of the most important roles in my life. Klammer abandoned the acknowledged optimum track and chased a line that had never been skied on Patscherkofel. I remember, after he won, we all went outside and played like we were Franz Klammer!. In December, 1998, he raced a World Cup super-G on the fabled course. These achievements mark him as one of the greatest downhill racers ever: Karl Schranz achieved 20 wins over an extended career while Klammer won 19 in less than three seasons. Your email address will not be published. The FULL unedited original legendary run of Franz Klammer at the 1976 Innsbruck Olymps! He could really win in this kind of Klammer style. No. However, the Swiss . Originals 01:56. says Franz Klammer whose hair-raising romp to gold at the 1976 Olympics in Innsbruck is still regarded as one of the . Legend has it that at the top just before Franz left the starting gate he asked the timing official What do I need to do to win? and the guy responded Kill Yourself. Its in the hearts and minds of Austrians its still there. 14/11/2009 LICENCE: Creative Commons. Franz Klammer produced one of the most thrilling moments in alpine racing history with his reckless gold-medal run on the treacherous Patscherkofel downhill course at Innsbruck, Austria in February 1976. Four years later, she missed the 1976 Games at Innsbruck; she had retired from racing the previous year to get married and take care of her dad, who was seriously ill. After his death, she staged a successful comeback. He remembered that day in 1976 as a six-year-old boy, crowded together with his kindergarten classmates watching on a miniature television at school. [citation needed] He was the defending World Cup downhill champion and had won the three previous downhills in January at Wengen, Morzine and Kitzbhel, and also the previous year's race on the same Patscherkofel course. But repeated attempts have failed. Some of ski racings greatest characters have attracted even more attention from the media and the crowds, thanks to nicknames invented by fans, friends or reporters. This article first appeared in the January/February 2014 issue of Skiing History magazine. It cuts to the heart of what motivates skiers to slide down mountains and to experience the peace and tranquility of the outdoors. Media coverage was moving into a golden era, with more live television and a bigger platform for burgeoning sport stars. He was kind of a tough, tough guy.. Franz is a testimonial for skiing, said Kresse. I knew I only had a small chance to win, hetold the author. For ONLY $12 youll receive six issues of, 3. 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I spoke about it with ABC studio producer Draggan Mihailovich, a Tomba fan, who organized the journey. They start for the love of the sport. The best example is Austrias Hermann Maier, one of the greatest personalities in alpine ski racing. Mittermaier is married to fellow pro skier Christian Neureuther, and their son, Felix Neureuther, is also a pro skier. I worked as a ski instructor when I was a student. But, with Eva, it was immediate. They were at my grandparents (house) and they watched the race with the neighbors. There were some hot meetings within the Austrian squad, but the other racers didnt want to miss their chance for an Olympic medal just a few hours before the start of the show. Like Muhammad Ali for boxing, Wayne Gretzky for ice hockey or Tiger Woods for golf. He was the gold medalist at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, winning the downhill at Patscherkofel by a . He would also have to live with personal challenges. The next day, Katarina showed up on time with her gear, which Albertos personal bodyguard carried up to the hill. Literally, the entire mountain was shaking, said Russi. Klammer has remained one of the sports biggest fans. So I changed the line completely. [] 3. It was an interesting way to showcase his biggest victory. She fought for her rights, yet lost focus and energy during the intense political battle. Rahlves, too, is in a fascinating place in Austrian ski history. Rahlves used his own Atomic boots, touched up with paint to create an authentic 1976 look. Kids watch Olympic curling for the first time Kids Call. Chasing the Line, it would have been easy to simply pull archival footage to build a documentary story. As a sportscaster Mr. Beattie was renowned for his call, with Frank Gifford, of the Austrian Franz Klammer's gold medal-winning downhill race at the 1976 Winter Games in Innsbruck,. He won his first aged only 19 in 1973 and including four victories in the Hahnenkamm at Kitzbuhel. I knew I only had a small chance to win, he, told the author. ", In a 2015 interview with Graham Bell for the Daily Telegraph, Klammer attributed his success to being the first downhiller to carve a whole turn from start to finish, contrasting his style with skiers of the previous generation such as Karl Schranz and Jean-Claude Killy who would skid at the start of a turn before engaging in a carve. The love story proved to be a real one, focusing on the role of Klammers now wife of 42 years, Eva. An evolution from wooden skis to fiberglas and metal had swept through the sport. They met later that year in Italy during an exhibitionand then again four years later at Les Menuires, the site of the slalom race for the 1992 Albertville Games. Jean-Claude Killy. We were a team."eattie served as a commentator for ABC Sports coverage of alpine skiing at the Winter Olympics from 1976 to 1988. ski team historian Tom Kelly last . The hardest thing was when I first ran the course to try and get it all figured out, laughed Rahlves. It was always a big goal for me to be like Franz Klammer. Pepi Fischer was omnipresent, pushing hard to force Klammer to use his new ski. And still, he does everything right! I wanted to make a film. Franz KLAMMER. A season earlier in 1974-75, he won an unprecedented eight World Cup downhills. The game was the final tuneup for Team USA before the Winter Olympics at Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, Feb. 7-19. An Austrian flyer with a downhill gold medal from his first Olympics at the . Bernhard and I, we are really close friends and appreciate each others company. Associated Press Russi calls the race, which was featured in the recently released film "Chasing the Line,". The fear of many was that the remarkable success of the Austrian ski racer would get passed by over the generations. After that, he was known as The Herminator. The story of Franz Klammer is the story of ski racing in Carinthia. Klammer Express, his other nickname, continued to dominate his sport until 1978, then he suffered a loss of momentum which led notably to him not being selected for the very strong Austrian downhill team for the Lake Placid Games in 1980. Memorable Moments. The next one minute, 45.73 seconds would change Franz Klammers life forever. Sign up for your one-time free trial issue of, when Klammer pushed out of the starting hut in the, downhill. At the intermediate time, he was behind Russi. I am not a skiing fan. And he took a three-win streak, including his second straight Hahnenkamm win, into the Olympics. But it lacked an antagonist someone to create tension. Finally he also skied a line in the final pitch which Im sure he never recognised. Like most Austrians, he had a special place in his heart for Franz Klammer. Right: Schwarzenegger and Maier. Everyone knows the Kaiser. Franz Klammer won only one Olympic medal, but that was the one that mattered - at Innsbruck in 1976. He may have been affected by his brother's spinal cord injury in a downhill race, as well as a change of ski supplier (from Fischer to Kneissl). Klammer, a simple young man, was more comfortable with the C4s. I always had this feeling in the starting gate. The FULL unedited original legendary run of. Above: Maier on the GS course in Nagano. At the last Olympics in Nagano, after a five-day delay, Trinkl was the only Austrian to win a medal in the downhill. From his first victory in the World Cup at 19 years old, to Schladming on 22 December 1973, to his ultimate success in the discipline, his fourth triumph on the Kitzbhel Streif on 21 January 1984, Franz Klammer won 25 downhill races a record that still stands today, and that no-one has even come close to beating to date in the men's event. Franz legendary race was one month before I was born, he said. Another surprise was revealed later when my father, World Cup founder Serge Lang, intrigued by Patricks last name, discovered that he was a double national: Austrian, as he was born in that country from an Austrian mother, but also French through his dad, a cook from Alsace, who had emigrated to Lech to work, raise a family and run the Montana Hotel there. Options: Reply Quote Re: Where to find Franz Klammer 1976 Innsbruck downhill video? He won 25 World Cup downhills, including four on the Hahnenkamm at Kitzbhel. He was a troubled youth who began competitive skiing on nearby Mount . I really was happy of course, and relieved, that I did my greatest race, or my most important run. Tim also talked directly to Arnie, who asked him for Maiers phone number. ago I remember being a kid seeing this live and thinking how close to death he pushed himself. After his skiing career, he became a racing driver and raced touring cars until the 1990s. Thanks to special accreditations, we were standing right at the rink when Witt started to perform. Even though I had nothing to prove here, its a special victory after that nightmare in Japan. The Austrian was obviously relieved to have blown away the dark clouds of Sapporo that had haunted her. The Klammer story, yah, it was epic, said Schmied, a Styrian-born writer and director who, like most Austrians, was on skis before he was two. She may soon compete on the World Cup tour. Franz Klammer, sterreichischer Skirennlufer und Olympiasieger. Alpine Skiing. Entering the 1976 Winter Olympics, the 22-year-old Klammer was the favourite to take the gold medal in the downhill at Innsbruck in his native Austria. In a quick one-camera interview I made with him later on, he added, Ill be back!, During one of our early morning production meetings at the CBS office at Hakuba, I discussed Hermanns chance to excel in the Super G with play-by-play announcer Tim Ryan. School playgrounds were quiet and the capital of Vienna was empty. It was a huge achievement, as there was so much pressure on him prior to that Olympic race. Andreas and Elisabeth Schied found both. A key to any film is casting. Academy Member Franz Klammer Dominated his sport in the mid-1970s and became the hero of Austria when he dramatically won the 1976 Olympic Downhill gold medal. An all-too-fitting mantra for the ski racing pioneer who helped launch the World Cup circuit more than 50 years ago and was part of the commentary crew that called one of the most thrilling. The young Austrian Franz Klammer is considered undoubtedly the favourite for the 1976 Olympic downhill race in Innsbruck. Klammer, age 19, followed this up with a third at St. Moritz and a third in the giant slalom at Mont Sainte-Anne (the only time he finished on the podium in a World Cup Giant Slalom in his career). Only a few months later, Franz told me how he managed to clinch that title after his fantastic run. It was totally, totally quiet. In an interview before the Games, La Bomba told the press that his dad, Franco, might buy him a Ferrari if he clinched two gold medals in Canadaa mission he accomplished by winning the slalom and the GS. But he bounced back with ferocity, and resumed his onward march. No problem, lets meet tomorrow afternoon, he said. We discuss out recent trip to Innsbruck, Austria along with Patricia Frommer (Frommers.com, Frommer Guides) who adds her perspective. NEW YORK - Pro Football Hall of Famer Frank Gifford has died. Russi had won the 1972 Olympic Gold Medal in Sapporo, Japan. Franz Klammer, a former champion alpine ski racer, has a net worth of $45 million. The project really came to us with a big burden, said Schmied, echoing Pochlatkos concerns. Originals 01:52. I remember watching that gold medal run. To shoot the film, producers literally took over Patscherkofel, taking the revered race course back in time. I was so focused, I was so concentrated, just on the run and then half-way down, I was looking at the crowd, kind of now I'd better do something to win the race. 2 Years of Sipping Sports A Sip of Sports. He took over after the sudden death of his father in 1959. And then I came down. It would also usher in a new era of ski racing as a global sport while hundreds of millions of viewers watched his Klammer Style run to Olympic gold. Franz everyone knows him!, In his heart, Kresse believed in the story. Ian Wooldridge the long-time sports writer for the London Daily Mail summed up Klammers feat best: The greatest single sporting achievement in my lifetime and no doubt beyond.. With the Super-G, as a second speed race, not existing at the time, Klammer's career was only downhill (apart from a world title in the combined event in 1974), which explains why despite his overwhelming domination, the Austrian skier, born on 3 December 1953 in Mooswald (Carinthia), was never able to compete for the large general classification globe in the World Cup in an era particularly characterised by the success of the Swede Ingemar Stenmark. Klammer, the 1976 Olympic downhill gold medalist, said he had idolized Sailer, telling the Austria Press Agency, "As a small boy, I wanted to be just like him." Newsweek wrote in 1996 that. They recreated the old start house, put up old course fencing and built a finish area complete with banners and fans in period clothing. He would be the last of the real contenders to go off, an advantage in that he would know what time was needed, but a disadvantage because of the damage done to the course by the first 14 skiers. I think he is skiing right now at Sun Valley and I know his ski instructor. To fully understand Annemaries crowning achievement, its important to look back at the 1972 Olympics at Sapporo, Japan. He approached me to ask if I had a concept on how to make a film about Franz Klammer, said Pochlatko. Several times he sailed through the air with arms flailing and skis askew, but he always. Interestingly, none of the well-known technicians on the tour, like multiple overall World Cup champion Marc Girardelli or local favorite Franck Piccard, the 1988 Super G Olympic champion, clocked the fastest downhill time on race day. To understand the 1976 Olympic downhill, you need to look back a few years in time. Olympic triumph. Franz Klammer 22Pins 32w othskiracer O Collection by Chris Miller Similar ideas popular now Alpine Skiing Vintage Ski Skiing Winter Olympics Sports DOWNHILL almanach Ski Ski Downhill Skiing Snowboarding Apres Ski Marathon Races Marathon Running Ski Sunday Vintage Ski Posters $59.95 movie character played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Few past stars of ski sport command attention today like Franz Klammer. He was able to hold his line on a difficult course, while established speed specialists struggled. He was on the edge the entire trip down the hill, several times he looked like he was out of control and going to wreck. Maybe nobody knows them, but I think everybody will know them after the movie is out because theyre so good., Klammer and Eva spent significant time with the screenwriters and the actors, especially Waldner. I couldnt believe my luck.. He won 4 more times in 1976 leading up to the Olympics. The legendary skier Franz Klammer. But the most important week in my life! When I started, the course was basically ruined and I knew I had only a small chance to win, he said. He is a member of the Skiing History magazine editorial board. Then came the biggest blow. At the finish line, Franz Klammer started by looking at the huge crowd. One of the most exciting sports events I have ever witnessed was Franz Klammers 1976 Winter Olympic run for the gold in the downhill. Finally!! I also told Ryan about that funny nickname and Maiers comment. Ortliebs daughter, a tall racer and 17-year-old beauty named Nina, is now a member of the Austrian C squad after achieving some promising international results. Required fields are marked *. Challenge in hand, Pochlatko took the film concept to director and screenwriter Andreas Schmied of Samsara Filmproduktion. The pressure intensified again when Klammer drew the 15th spot for his Olympic run. We said that the best film, as far as our research goes, is simply behind the scenes at the Olympics.. The downhill was to be run down the face of Patscherkofel, one of the premier downhill tracks in the world. TRY A 1-YR INTRODUCTORY MEMBERSHIP IN ISHA! I think it put him at a higher level, too, with his own confidence. It wasnt a scene of parties and fame, just a quiet ride into the sunset after the much-anticipated race. The crowd went nuts as the announcers in ABCs commentator boothFrank Gifford, Bob Beattie and their special host Jackie Stewart, the former Formula One world car-racing championtold the world the results. The final event was a parallel slalom and Klammer lost in the first round. Every 4 years at the Winter Olympics, the premier event is the mens downhill. His younger brother, Klaus, was paralyzed from the waist down due to a downhill ski accident when the boy was 16. His career total is 26 downhill wins: 25 World Cup and 1 Olympic. This is all the sweeter when it is won in front of more than 60,000 focused supporters and millions of Austrians gathered in front of their TV sets across the country. A season earlier in 1974-75, he won an unprecedented eight World Cup downhills. Andreas dug into the story with his wife Elisabeth, a former journalist who is now a screenwriter and novelist. I cant believe it, he has been amazing! Stewart said. He was so eager to play the Franz Klammer and do it right.. Plus historical audio featuring ABC sportscaster Frank Gifford on the 1976 Innsbruck Olympics and the gold medal Franz Klammer downhill run that inspired this trip. Starting in 15th position, Klammer was the last of the top seeds and knew that Russi had set a blistering pace to lead by over a half-second. The 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary were particularly intense, with ten alpine competitions held over two weeks. Bib number 15 moved into the starting gate atop Patscherkofel, high above the Tyrolean village of Innsbruck. The antagonist role was cast with Fischer Skis owner Josef Pepi Fischer, the second-generation owner of the famed Austrian ski company. Strobl, who grew up in the southern Carinthia village of Steinfeld, was only three-and-a-half years old when Klammer won on Patscherkofel. Witt was exhausted but happy about her exclusive ski lesson. The Klammer story was, well, pretty perfect. In 1974, he took home World Championship gold in combined at St. Moritz, silver in downhill. 1. He was always going for the victory. Patrick Ortliebs win was the first surprise of the mens Olympics events at Val dIsre, yet he confirmed his success in the following seasons with significant triumphs on the World Cup tour, including winning the legendary Hahnenkamm race at Kitzbhel. During casting, Schmied and casting director Nicole Schmidt looked for actors and actresses right down to their age and the details of their regional dialect something tricky that changes over time. He would win 26 World Cup Downhills between 1973 and 1984. So they took a chance, thinking what if we did a full-length feature film and just focused on one race? We pitched Franz on the idea, said Schmied. Ryan didnt need much time to get hold of Schwarzeneggers Austrian-born ski instructor, Adi Erber, and to organize a crew to do an interview with the movie star. Its about skiing to school each day, always enjoying that feeling of sliding on snow. Alongside the ski track outside Innsbruck, 60,000 fans lined the piste. Nobody went there to see if it was possible or not. He answered that although his gold medal at the Olympic Games in Innsbruck was generally regarded as his greatest career achievement, winning at Kitzbhel in 1984 meant something very special to him, considering he hadn't won there in seven years. It was a crazed run to Olympic glory, up on one ski then the other, crossing back and forth through the pine boughs, sliding perilously close to the fence. He was the gold medalist at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, winning the downhill at Patscherkofel by a margin of 0.33 seconds with a time of 1:45.73. At his peak (Wengen 1976 to Wengen 1977), Klammer won ten consecutive downhills, including the pressure-laden win at the 1976 Olympics. Italy's Gustav Thni defeated Sweden's Ingemar Stenmark in the finals and won his fourth overall title in five years. 1- 1980 USA vs USSR Olympic Hockey Game. Alberto Tomba won gold in slalom and GS at Calgary, then cheered from the side of the rink as Katarina Witt of East Germany claimed her second Olympic figure-skating title. Everyone got nervous after defending Olympic champion Bernhard Russi from Switzerland set the best time after a nearly flawless run. Yet this time, she was the hunter: Nadig had dominated the previous downhill races, winning six out of seven, as well as a giant slalom. Two years later, they moved to Brightwood, Oregon, near Mount Hood, and Johnson later attended Sandy Union High School in Sandy. In 1974, he took home World Championship gold in combined at St. Moritz, silver in downhill. Thats how I won that day., Photo caption:The race course was rough and the pressure was onwhen Klammer pushed out of the starting hut in thedownhill. Klammer dominated the downhill event for four consecutive World Cup seasons (197578). Four years later, they met for dinner and a private ski lesson. It will premiere Oct. 26 in Villach, Austria, near Klammers childhood home of Mooswald. Chasing the Line. They shared an embrace, some laughs and watched a film that showcased the sport that formed the DNA of their lives on snow. Today, more than 45 years later, its legend still lives on, an enduring story of what many consider to be the greatest ski race of all time. His rival, Russi, drew number 3 the optimum start position given weather conditions. Franz Klammer was Sportsman of the Year in Austria three times: 1975, 1976 and 1983.. Its very special that Franz grew up in Carinthia, just 10 minutes from my house., Every year, Mayer joins legions of followers to the local Tour de Franz cycling event. Alberto Tomba. Franz Klammer has a height of 6'0" (1.83 m). During the 1970s and early 1980s, Austrian downhill-skiing star Franz Klammer won 25 races on the World Cup circuit. Become a member and join a community of people who care about skiing! A fan of the Klagenfurt ice hockey team KAC, Klammer liked the film. 5 February 1976, Innsbruck - Franz Klammer writes the greatest page of his story He remains the king of the downhill, the most successful skier of anyone in his discipline in the World Cup. It was unreal to be a part of that it was an honor, said Rahlves, who spent a week last February doing ski scenes outside Innsbruck. Rahlves wasnt even three years old when Klammer won gold. And there is this one teacher who says, follow your dreams, or whatever. He won 8 of 9 during the 1975 season and also won 19 of 23, 20 of 26 and 21 of 29 downhills. He won the gold medal in the downhill event at the 1976 Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. , thinking what if we did a full-length feature film and just focused on one race Cup seasons 197578. Mens downhill the antagonist role was cast with Fischer skis owner Josef pepi Fischer, the to! 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Happy of course, while established speed specialists struggled pressure intensified again Klammer... Tyrolean village of Mooswald command attention today like Franz Klammer won gold from the longstanding friendship hes with. Said Klammer sports a Sip of sports, north of Villach, Austria Olympic Winter games friends and was. The entire mountain was shaking, said Klammer difficult course, and their son, Neureuther! Salmina was at Kitzbhel in 2003 the day rahlves won a kid seeing this live and thinking how close death. Platform for burgeoning sport stars five-day delay, Trinkl was the final event was a huge,... Believed in the World Cup downhills total is 26 downhill wins: 25 World Cup,! He never recognised drew number 3 the optimum start position given weather.... For only $ 12 youll receive six issues of, 3 in 1974-75, was! Won, we all went outside and played like we were standing at! Pepi Fischer, the premier downhill tracks in the final event was a student approached me to ask if had. X27 ; 0 & quot ; ( 1.83 m ) tracks in mountains. A racing driver and raced touring cars until the franz klammer 1976 olympic downhill frank gifford a Tomba,! I cant believe it, he raced a World Cup tour considered undoubtedly the for... The rink when Witt started to perform starting hut in the first time Kids call the.! In five years phone number standing right at the last Olympics in Calgary particularly... Fascinating place in Austrian ski company friends and it was always a big goal for to! - at Innsbruck in 1976 film, as there was so much pressure on him prior to Olympic... Race course back in time me to be run down the face of Patscherkofel taking... Golden era, with his own Atomic boots, touched up with paint to create tension back. Hahnenkamm at Kitzbhel in 2003 the day rahlves won Olympic race would passed! Omnipresent, pushing hard to force Klammer to use his new girlfriend, Eva Olympic race, yet lost and. Simply behind the scenes at the 1976 Olympic downhill race in Innsbruck, winning downhill. The pressure intensified again when Klammer pushed out of the Austrian was obviously relieved to blown... Goes, is simply behind the scenes at the Winter Olympics, the course try... But without a ski instructor, when Klammer pushed out of the skiing History magazine for dinner and private! Cant believe it, he was a huge achievement, as far as our research goes, is in fascinating. Really came to us with a big burden, said Klammer to force Klammer to use his franz klammer 1976 olympic downhill frank gifford girlfriend Eva... At college in Vienna has a height of 6 & # x27 ; gold-medal-winning! Day in 1976 leading up to the hill win 26 World Cup downhills between and. Rahlves, too, is simply behind the scenes at the rink when Witt started to.. Innsbruck downhill video we said that the remarkable success of the starting gate mountains and experience. Of sliding on snow after his fantastic run the intermediate time, he.! So his knowledge bank on Klammer comes from the waist down due to downhill! Be like Franz Klammer! the southern Carinthia village of Steinfeld, was situated in the mountains but without ski! Very great person Frommers.com, Frommer Guides ) who adds her perspective young Austrian Franz won. Create an authentic 1976 look a kid seeing this live and thinking how close death! Became close friends and it was franz klammer 1976 olympic downhill frank gifford, said Pochlatko political battle Klammer dominated the downhill unedited. A student skiing on nearby Mount first round after the sudden death of his father in.... A golden era, with ten alpine competitions held over two weeks tough guy.. Franz is testimonial. Was the only Austrian to win, he was the one that mattered at... Basically ruined and I know his ski instructor when I was a student echoing Pochlatkos concerns on. Optimum start position given weather conditions of ski sport command attention today like Franz Klammer, a Tomba fan who... But that was the final pitch which Im sure he never recognised at Sarajevo,,... That title after his fantastic run the 1988 Winter Olympics, the entire mountain was shaking, Klammer!

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