Josef Stiegler facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pepi Stiegler
Full name	Josef Stiegler
Born	(1937-04-20) 20 April 1937 (age 88) Lienz, Austria
Medal record Men's alpine skiing Representing  Austria Olympic Games   & World Championships Gold 1964 Innsbruck Slalom Silver 1960 Squaw Valley Giant Slalom Bronze 1964 Innsbruck Giant Slalom

Josef "Pepi" Stiegler (born April 20, 1937) is a famous former alpine ski racer from Lienz, Austria. He was a top competitor in the late 1950s and early 1960s and won an Olympic gold medal.

Stiegler was a key member of the Austrian national ski team. His love for skiing was passed on to his children. His daughter, Resi, competed on the World Cup circuit for the U.S. Ski Team. His son, Seppi, also became a competitive skier.

Olympic Success

Pepi Stiegler showed his amazing talent at two Winter Olympic Games.

1960 Winter Olympics

At the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California, Stiegler won a silver medal. He earned it in the giant slalom event. He also placed fifth in the slalom.

1964 Winter Olympics

Four years later, at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, he had even more success. He won a bronze medal in the giant slalom. Then, he won the gold medal in the slalom race. He beat American skiers Billy Kidd and Jimmie Heuga. For his incredible performance, he was named "Austrian Sportsman of the Year 1964."

Life After Racing

After retiring from racing, Pepi Stiegler stayed involved in the world of skiing. In 1965, he moved to the United States and became the first director of the ski school at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He led the school for 29 years. After that, he worked as the resort's "ambassador of skiing" for eight more years. He retired in 2002 after 37 years with the resort.

In 1993, Stiegler was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a long-term health condition that affects the body's nervous system. His Austrian teammate, Egon Zimmermann, also has MS.

Stiegler also proved that it's never too late to learn. At the age of 66, he earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Montana State University in 2003.

Olympic results

From 1948 through 1980, the Winter Olympics were also the World Championships for alpine skiing.

Video

• Watch a film about Pepi Stiegler's skiing style – Stiegler: The Style of A Champion (1974 film)