Special honour for Franz Klammer
Honorary president of the Saslong Classic Club, Erich Demetz presented special honours to Austrian Franz Klammer for his victories on Saslong.
The “Kaiser” conquered the Saslong in 1975, 1976 and 1982 but he still holds other fond memories of the Val Gardena. Franz Klammer’s first World Cup race on Saslong was back in 1972, followed placing fifth in 1973 thereby earning his first point in the World Cup. In 1970 Klammer was present in Val Gardena for the world championship although only as a spectator on that occasion.
There’s another interesting aspect about Klammer that has to do with his fourth and final victory in 1982. On their way down to the start line, Klammer and his masseur met up with Peter Müller, a key competitor. Klammer led Müller to believe that he had painted the town red the previous evening. After defeating the Swiss and claiming his fourth win on Saslong, Klammer was confronted by a very confused and irate Müller who scolded Klammer for his arrogance and teasing. Klammer replied smiling, “Well if you believe everything you hear…!”
There’s another interesting aspect about Klammer that has to do with his fourth and final victory in 1982. On their way down to the start line, Klammer and his masseur met up with Peter Müller, a key competitor. Klammer led Müller to believe that he had painted the town red the previous evening. After defeating the Swiss and claiming his fourth win on Saslong, Klammer was confronted by a very confused and irate Müller who scolded Klammer for his arrogance and teasing. Klammer replied smiling, “Well if you believe everything you hear…!”
