Ludwig “Luggi” Leitner, one of the world’s skiing legends passed away on 21st March, almost one month after his 73rd birthday.

 Born in the Kleinwalstertal of Austria, he participated in major Alpine Skiing competitions notably between 1958 and 1968 for Germany where his training base was situated. One of the pinnacles of his career was the World Championship title in the combined event (downhill, slalom and giant slalom) at the Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck (AUT), where the first place in combined still counted as World Championship gold. He additionally won two bronze medals in the combined event at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Chamonix (FRA) in 1962 and in Portillo (CHI) in 1966. Furthermore, he collected 16 National Championship titles and received the “silberne Lorbeerblatt” prize, the highest honour for sporting achievements in Germany, which is presented by the Federal President on an annual basis. Additionally, he was honoured with the “diamond Kandaharnadel” which is given to sportsmen who have claimed at least five podiums at the prestigious Kandahar races.

FIS would like to express its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ludwig Leitner.