Unforgettable: When Rainer Schönfelder drove naked in Wengen

It was January 10, 2007, a day off from training immediately before the spectacular races in Wengen. Many piste visitors must have looked in disbelief when Rainer Schönfelder, the most colorful bird in the World Cup entourage at the time, suddenly flew down the slope stark naked. An action that was not actually intended for the public. But the GEPA photographer who happened to be there didn't care, which is why he took the legendary picture of Schönfelder.

Betting debts are debts of honor But why did the Austrian allow himself to be carried away by this action? The reason for this was a bet. Shortly before the Wengen races, Schönfelder suffered whiplash in a training fall, and as a result he was plagued with severe and constant pain. “Schöni” actually wanted to leave Wengen in frustration at the beginning of the week - but then his physiotherapist pulled out a special manual technique from his bag of tricks and said: “We'll see, you'll feel better tomorrow.” Schönfelder replied: “If the pain subsides tomorrow, go me naked down the slope.”

No sooner said than done: Because the therapy was fruitful and the Austrian was suddenly pain-free, he paid off his betting debts - and was snapped by a reporter who probably took the photo of his life. The pictures then went around the world, even the New York Times and CNN reported on the funny bet.

However, Schönfelder didn't get away unscathed: "After this stupidity, he has to make himself available for something good, namely a day for charity - but dressed," smiled the then ÖSV Alpine director Hans Pum.

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Unforgettable: When Rainer Schönfelder drove naked in Wengen

The men's classic races are on the program in Wengen until Sunday. It is therefore the 12th anniversary of an event by Rainer Schönfelder that was probably unique on the Lauberhorn.

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