Olympic GamesGold DH in Calgary 88''
Getty Images
CALGARY (Canada) - fiery temper that federal technicians have tried in vain to tame, the daughter of a wealthy businessman in Monaco of Bavaria, Marina is actually a great champion, who won 7 races (including giant and super-G) in the Cup World with 18 podium finishes in just 23 years of age, but never ... in the specialty that gave her the'' gold'' s eternity, at the Games in Calgary, or downhill. In Canada, she is definitely not the favorite for this race, indeed. And after that triumph, do not combine anything and decided to retire a month later ...
Wednesday 25 December 2013 6 minutes reading time
Calgary,'' state of Alberta, Canada, February 18, 1988. '' And the great day of the women's downhill at the Games that consecrate the talent of Alberto Tomba. The favorites are all Swiss,'' from the top of a unique team that will dominate throughout the decade: first, Michela Figini, reigning champion at Five Rings (Sarajevo 84'' mocked the favored, Maria Walliser, then repeating for the World Cup Bormio'' 85) and Maria Walliser fact, together they dominated the latest editions of the World Cup and Olympic Games in speed and also have divided three World Cups since 1985. Mary is in charge iridescent gold in Crans Montana'' 87 was finally consecrated by winning downhill and super-G in front of the always great rival, Figini, rimastaci twice d'' silver. But Brigitte Oertli, Chantal Bournissen ...
As always, however, the'' unexpected'' is around the corner. Marina Kiehl from Monaco of Bavaria, classy, ​​65'', German (all times'')'' s west is a lady champion, finished fourth in the downhill at the World Championships in Switzerland last year'', 84'' and 5th in Sarajevo. '' It was'' gold medal at the world jr. its free in 1983 in Sestriere. In the World Cup is one of the protagonsite now for 4 seasons, can boast 18 podiums in four specialties (except in the slalom), a cup of specialty giant (1984 -'' 85) in a super-G (1985 - ' '86), 7 wins, in a giant super-G and 6, dov'' is obviously strategic favored for Olympic gold'' (that will place ... in the 13th race of'' Austrian Wolf).
It does not have a spotless reputation, indeed, his personality hard, strong, sometimes grumpy, nobody likes him. '' In the summer before the 1987 season - 88'', one of the Games in Calgary, manager and sponsor of the German require it to be more gentle and forgiving with the whole staff of people that surrounds it, and the media. '' The company is successful, but the results are drastically reduced: no victory, only a podium at the end of'' 87, for another downhill. The situation worsened to such an extent that a famous German journalist begs her to go back to being "rude as before, because when you're" bad ", you're much better skiing." On the eve of the Canadian Games, disappointed by his recent results, the staff of the German threat to leave out of the squad for the super-G,'' the event in which he has a better chance of winning a gold medal''. And she explodes, insulting everything and everyone, like in the good times, for the relief of his fans. Among the arguments, we arrive at a compromise: Marina race descent, held three days before his beloved super-G, where you can compete only if they will be classified in the top six for free.
View today, it seems crazy, but 25 years ago this could happen in Germany. In any case, the Kiehl, that in 7 years will never win the World Cup downhill, is the gate frothing rage. His trial is crazy, wild, likely to fall twice, but it is also very fast. As none. With the bib # 13, trimming 75 cents to Swiss Oertli, silver, and 77 to the Canadian Percy, bronze. Maria Walliser is 4a, 9a Michela Figini. "I was out of control - then explain to her - I just tried to let my skis run as much as possible." No beats, but Marina does not celebrate until the descent of the last competitor'', a'' Argentina, because in the past had been duped twice by athletes with chest high.
Three days later compete in the super-G course, without anger racing, finishing 13th. And a month later the skis hang on a nail, at 23 years old ...
Social media engagement
Ultimi in Sport invernali
Slittino su pista naturale: a Formia si conclude il lungo raduno dello squadrone azzurro
Con lo start di Coppa del Mondo in programma il 19-20 dicembre a Obdach, la nazionale di Moroder sta lavorando duro con 12 atleti impegnati sino a domani nel centro di preparazione olimpica del CONI.
2