Gustav Thöni turns 70: “As if I had just become world champion”

The numbers alone are impressive: Olympic champion once (1972 in the giant slalom), Olympic silver twice (1972 and 1976), overall World Cup four times (1971, 1972, 1973, 1975), world champion five times and winner of 24 World Cup races. These are successes that are unrivaled in South Tyrol – and will probably remain unrivaled for a very long time.

Gustav Thöni, who was voted South Tyrol's athlete of the century in 2001, was not only very popular because of his victories, medals and titles, but also because of his appearance. He was young, modest, likeable, drove the latest sports cars of his time and was a role model for millions - in short: “He had the status of a pop star,” wrote the Tagblatt Dolomites .

Gustav Thöni, South Tyrolean ski legend. © ukn

Thöni, who ended his career at the age of 29, also made a name for himself as a coach after his playing days. For seven years he stood at the side of the brilliant but also unpredictable Alberto Tomba. Later he was also racing director of the Italian winter sports association FISI. Celebration before the 70th birthday Thöni has now left all of that behind and has largely withdrawn from the public eye. Together with his family, he runs the “Bella Vista” hotel in his hometown of Trafoi, which is also his parents’ house. Why is he still fit at 70 years old? “Our three daughters have given us eleven grandchildren. They are now between two and 18 years old. There is life in the house when they are with us. They keep us young.”

The fact that Thöni continues to enjoy great popularity long after his career can be seen in a quote in the Tagblatt Dolomites recognize well. “I feel like I just became world champion in Cortina d'Ampezzo. “I didn’t have to give that many interviews even during my playing days,” he said of the hype before his 70th birthday.

s+ spoke in detail with Gustav Thöni at the beginning of December. You can read the interesting interview here .

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Gustav Thöni turns 70: “As if I had just become world champion”

He is the most successful skier that South Tyrol has ever produced. This Sunday, Gustav Thöni is celebrating his 70th birthday.

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