Heini Messner

Heini Messner was a pioneer in a number of ways. He won the first World Cup race ever contested, a slalom victory at Berchtesgaden on 5 January 1967. In the 1970s he was the first skiier to move to shorter skis for the technical races, which became common in later years.

A three-time Olympian (1964-72), Messner won two bronze medals, in the 1968 giant slalom and the 1972 downhill. He also competed at the 1966 and 1970 World Championships, but failed to make a podium, placing fourth twice. In his short World Cup career he still notched 16 podiums.

Messner retired after the 1971-72 season and turned to coaching, leading the Austrian women’s team for two seasons. He settled in Steinach am Brenner where he ran a ski school and a boarding house, as well as a ski rental service.