Mario Bacher

Mario Bacher was known as a true gentleman who made Nordic skiing history in Italy. He was a teacher of the discipline, first as an athlete and then as an instructor. Bacher competed at the 1968 Grenoble Winter Olympics, placing 12th in the 50 km, the leading Italian finisher. He also competed at the 1966 and 1970 World Championships. At the Italian Championships he was second at 50 km in 1966 and at 30 km in 1968, adding a silver medal in the 1962 Nordic combined.

For many years Bacher was coach of the Italian B team and also was among the founders of the Italian school of cross-country skiing. He passed away at 73 after having spent the last years of his life helping his son Marco, who had been the victim of a car accident, leaving him in a permanent coma.