Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete. He won three Golds in Alpine skiing at the 1956 Cortina Olympics (the first to accomplish this), then went on to success in a movie, recording, and business career. Raised in the Tyrolean Alps, Sailer learned to ski from around age two; he entered competitions from an early age (scoring his first win at 11), while working in his father's shop to become a licensed glazier and plumber. Sailer's career highlight came over three days in the Italian Alps when he won the giant slalom, the slalom, and the downhill, all by comfortable margins. He followed-up by earning three Golds and a Silver at the 1958 world championships, then retired in 1959 amidst controversy over his amateur status generated by his skiing in a movie. After leaving the slopes, he became a film star and pop singer, while coaching, running a skiing school, serving as an international official, and marketing his own line of skis. In 1985, the International Olympic Committee, bestowed its highest honor, the Olympic Order, on him. In later years, Sailer directed Austria's Hahnenkamm ski races. He died after an extended illness.
Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete. He won three Golds in Alpine skiing at the 1956 Cortina Olympics (the first to accomplish this), then went on to success in a movie, recording, and business career. Raised in the Tyrolean Alps, Sailer learned to ski from around age two; he entered competitions from an early age (scoring his first win at 11), while working in his father's shop to become a licensed glazier and plumber. Sailer's career highlight came over three days in the Italian Alps when he won the giant slalom, the slalom, and the downhill, all by comfortable margins. He followed-up by earning three Golds and a Silver at the 1958 world championships, then retired in 1959 amidst controversy over his amateur status generated by his skiing in a movie. After leaving the slopes, he became a film star and pop singer, while coaching, running a skiing school, serving as an international official, and marketing his own line of skis. In 1985, the International Olympic Committee, bestowed its highest honor, the Olympic Order, on him. In later years, Sailer directed Austria's Hahnenkamm ski races. He died after an extended illness.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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