Yes he won it on the last drop with the turn. I watched this in ‘76. When they showed it then, you could see he took a radically different line. He had the heart of the lion, always attacking on the edge, in the moment, always seeking a steeper path and in this race he found it on that turn and flew into immortality. It was literally a leap into the unknown, a huge risk at 80mph, but that’s what he did, the unknown was his comfort zone. He was unconventional, which allowed him to surpass others trapped by notions of how to ski the mountain. Franz was free and that’s why people love him so much. The best, the embodiment of a downhill champion.
This was my first time watching the Winter Olympics that I can remember. I was nine years old at the time and this sparked my love of alpine skiing ever since! To make it even better my mum took me and my sister to Austria for the summer holidays in the same year and we visited Innsbruck and many of the Winter Olympics locations. I also spent my tenth birthday in Vienna! I've been a fan of the Austrian ski team ever since!
I remember watching this live. Well as live as things were back then from halfway around the world. One of my favorite Olympic memories. Truly amazing.
I was 12 when I watched this. Everyone had been talking about Klammer. When I saw Russi's run, he was so smooth (only one slight mistake in the mid section) and so fast. I thought how can you beat that. Then Klammer just took the hardest fastest lines, nearly losing it on several occasions. Always carrying as much speed as he could find through the corners. I think that I breathed out only twice during his run. I don't think that I have seen a better sporting performance.
Wasn't Plank ahead of both Klammer and Russi going into that final turn and didn't he then have trouble in the turn? It was enough to cost him two spots.
Not even a ski fan but I gotta say Klammer's run was immortal. That's all that needs to be said. Oh then I watch Tyson vs Marvis Frazier boxing 20 second match. It's like the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
Russi did a course correction on that last turn because he almost hit the gate - see 2:15. This decresed his speed. He also mentioned this shocking moment in a recent documentry about this race.
Sometimes an event is just willed into reality. I remember watching this race on tv. Somehow I just knew Klammer would win. I think the reality is Klammer KNEW he would win. Success requires great will !
You couldn't even attempt to take that radical a line in that final turn unless you were in supreme physical condition. I remember Sport Illustrated explaining that the G forces on some of his lines were enough to knock the wind out of you or even make you go light headed u less you were in unbelievable shape. Klammer had a very strong lower base and a reputation as a strong finisher and that was the difference
Yes he won it on the last drop with the turn. I watched this in ‘76. When they showed it then, you could see he took a radically different line. He had the heart of the lion, always attacking on the edge, in the moment, always seeking a steeper path and in this race he found it on that turn and flew into immortality. It was literally a leap into the unknown, a huge risk at 80mph, but that’s what he did, the unknown was his comfort zone. He was unconventional, which allowed him to surpass others trapped by notions of how to ski the mountain. Franz was free and that’s why people love him so much. The best, the embodiment of a downhill champion.
Well said. I watched this too.
Nah, it was just the cool name.
This was the moment I fell in love with downhill.
This was my first time watching the Winter Olympics that I can remember. I was nine years old at the time and this sparked my love of alpine skiing ever since! To make it even better my mum took me and my sister to Austria for the summer holidays in the same year and we visited Innsbruck and many of the Winter Olympics locations. I also spent my tenth birthday in Vienna! I've been a fan of the Austrian ski team ever since!
Wow, this brings back memories! I was 18 years old and had never witnessed any sport moment this exciting.
i was 18 watching this ! WOW is was so exciting to see
I have yet to see a more hell-bent-for-leather run in a downhill than Klammer. An absolutely "take no prisoners" approach.
I remember watching this live. Well as live as things were back then from halfway around the world. One of my favorite Olympic memories. Truly amazing.
Wonderful analysis, thank you for that.
Eine Legende der Franz klammer😎👍🏻
He attacked that course like we should attack life.
I was 12 when I watched this.
Everyone had been talking about Klammer. When I saw Russi's run, he was so smooth (only one slight mistake in the mid section) and so fast.
I thought how can you beat that.
Then Klammer just took the hardest fastest lines, nearly losing it on several occasions. Always carrying as much speed as he could find through the corners.
I think that I breathed out only twice during his run.
I don't think that I have seen a better sporting performance.
Herbert Plank (ITA) won the bronze Medal.... not Erik Haker. The Time: 1:46:59!
The bronze medal went to Herbert Plank, Italy. Not Erik Haker
won on the last turn huh? Poetry!
also 3d place was Plank, not Haker
still, thanks heaps for this footage! precious.
Wasn't Plank ahead of both Klammer and Russi going into that final turn and didn't he then have trouble in the turn?
It was enough to cost him two spots.
Not even a ski fan but I gotta say Klammer's run was immortal. That's all that needs to be said. Oh then I watch Tyson vs Marvis Frazier boxing 20 second match. It's like the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
"On The Ragged Edge" - The incomparable downhill racing career of Franz Klammer
Russi did a course correction on that last turn because he almost hit the gate - see 2:15. This decresed his speed. He also mentioned this shocking moment in a recent documentry about this race.
Sometimes an event is just willed into reality. I remember watching this race on tv. Somehow I just knew Klammer would win. I think the reality is Klammer KNEW he would win. Success requires great will !
Wow this was great! Thanks for posting
You couldn't even attempt to take that radical a line in that final turn unless you were in supreme physical condition. I remember Sport Illustrated explaining that the G forces on some of his lines were enough to knock the wind out of you or even make you go light headed u less you were in unbelievable shape. Klammer had a very strong lower base and a reputation as a strong finisher and that was the difference
Both were Champions!
He could have died how much he was on the limit here iconic man
Top 2 sporting wins ever as far as I can see. The Austrians assumed Klammer would win. Never had pressure been one athlete been to win at no cost.
My favorite sports moment ever
Wahnsinn 👍
the Bronze Medal was Herbert Plank from Italy not Erich Haker.
Yes, Yes, my big mistake. Bronze medal for breave Italian Herbert Plank, not Haaker. Sorry Norway, sorry Italia.
But hey guys: the bronze medalist was HERBERT PLANK, not ERIK HAKER
That's true. Bronze for Plank.
Frank Gifford and Bob Beattie
Most Canadians found out about downhill and Franz Klammer from '81- '84 when we won Kitzbuhel.
I want my two dollars! He's skiing on ONE SKI!!
BRONZE: HERBERT PLANCK.