Roland Collombin celebrates his victory in the Kitzb\u00fchel Downhill, Austria, in January 1974. Photo: Keystone.<\/p>\n
On July 10, Roland Collombin died peacefully at the home where he was born, surrounded by his family. He was 75.<\/p>\n
The Swiss downhill great had fought cancer for two years. He was initially diagnosed with throat cancer before later developing liver cancer.<\/p>\n
Collombin was born Feb. 17, 1951, in Verseg\u00e8res in the Valais region of Switzerland.<\/p>\n
At 20, Collombin made his World Cup debut in Val-d\u2019Is\u00e8re in December 1971. He immediately announced his arrival with a seventh-place finish in the downhill.<\/p>\n
It was a remarkable start to his World Cup career. However, there was much more to come.<\/p>\n
An Olympic Silver Medal<\/p>\n
Later that season, Collombin competed at his first major championship. He won the downhill silver medal at the 1972 Sapporo Olympics, finishing behind close friend and Swiss teammate Bernhard Russi.<\/p>\n
The unexpected medal established Collombin as one of the world\u2019s leading downhill racers. It also became one of the defining achievements of his short but extraordinary career.<\/p>\n
Downhill Dominance<\/p>\n
During the 1973 and 1974 seasons, Collombin became a dominant force in World Cup downhill racing.<\/p>\n
He won four World Cup races during the 1973 season, including victories in Val Gardena, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Kitzb\u00fchel. Those results earned him his first World Cup downhill title.<\/p>\n
A year later, Collombin was even more dominant. He won four consecutive downhills in January 1974 at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Avoriaz, Wengen and Kitzb\u00fchel.<\/p>\n
His victories on the Lauberhorn and Streif secured his place among the great downhill racers of his generation. They also helped him win a second consecutive World Cup downhill title.<\/p>\n
Collombin represented Switzerland at the 1974 World Championships on home snow in St. Moritz. However, he did not finish the downhill.<\/p>\n
Life-Changing Injuries<\/p>\n
Collombin\u2019s career changed dramatically before the opening downhill of the following season.<\/p>\n
During training in Val-d\u2019Is\u00e8re in December 1974, he crashed heavily and injured his spine. The accident ended his 1974-75 season.<\/p>\n
However, Collombin attempted to return to the World Cup one year later. During training in Val-d\u2019Is\u00e8re in December 1975, he crashed again at almost exactly the same place.<\/p>\n
This time, Collombin broke two vertebrae and temporarily lost the ability to walk. The accident ultimately ended his remarkable downhill career at just 24.<\/p>\n
The section of the Val-d\u2019Is\u00e8re course where the crashes occurred later became known as \u201cLa Bosse \u00e0 Collombin,\u201d (The Collombin Roll).<\/p>\n
Collombin eventually walked again in February 1976. By then, the Innsbruck Olympics had taken place without him. Instead of pursuing another Olympic medal, he faced a long and difficult recovery.<\/p>\n
A Remarkable Career Cut Short<\/p>\n
The two crashes ended a career that appeared destined to produce many more victories.<\/p>\n
Still, Collombin accomplished an extraordinary amount in only a few seasons. He retired with an Olympic silver medal, two World Cup downhill titles, eight World Cup victories and 11 podium finishes.<\/p>\n
All eight of his World Cup wins came in downhill. He also recorded 14 top-10 finishes and placed third in the 1973 overall World Cup standings.<\/p>\n
Collombin will be remembered as a fearless downhill racer who brought energy and character to a successful generation of Swiss skiers.<\/p>\n
He was also one of the sport\u2019s most colorful personalities. The Swiss press compared him to tennis star John McEnroe, while Swiss-Ski remembered him as unpredictable, spirited and unforgettable.<\/p>\n
For Collombin, racing often appeared to be as much an adventure as a profession.<\/p>\n
Life Beyond Ski Racing<\/p>\n
After his racing career ended, Collombin built a full life away from World Cup competition.<\/p>\n
He became involved in the wine business and later opened a raclette bar in Martigny. Fittingly, he named it La Streif after the Kitzb\u00fchel course where he won twice.<\/p>\n
Collombin and his wife, Sarah, also operated a guesthouse in Verseg\u00e8res. Together, they had a son and a daughter.<\/p>\n
Ski racer, Olympic medalist, wine merchant, bar owner, husband, father and grandfather \u2014 Collombin lived a life that extended far beyond his unforgettable years in downhill racing.<\/p>\n
His victories made him one of Switzerland\u2019s most celebrated racers. However, his personality, courage and love of life ensured he would be remembered for much more than results.<\/p>\n
Ski Racing Media sends its deepest condolences to Collombin\u2019s family, friends and former teammates.<\/p>\n
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