Ulrike Maierová Source: Profimedia
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN – She was hurtling down the piste at breakneck speed. She suddenly lost control of her skis and fell hard on her head. Ulrike Maier’s motionless body slid several meters down the Kandahar slope. The whole world froze in astonishment.
On January 29, we commemorated 30 years since the unfortunate tragedy in which an Austrian skiing star died right on the slopes. Her death forever changed downhill skiing as such, and only this sad event forced the competent to act.
Perhaps few people realize that skiing is still one of the most dangerous sports. Despite all the safety features, elite skiers hurtle down the snowy slopes at the same speed as cars on the highway. However, there is nothing between them, only a thin layer of overalls and small protectors to protect them from death. But is that enough?
In 1994, the conditions on the slopes of the World Cup were diametrically different, but the speed of the competitors was no less than at present. Only a tragic event, as is usual, forced the directors to change the safety features on the track.
Death in live broadcast
The slope in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, is one of the most famous, and on that day it became fatal for the then only 26-year-old skiing megastar. In the turn, she “overtook” one of the gates and the right ski reached the edge. It was this mistake that proved fatal to her in the freshly fallen snow.
Maierová uncontrollably fell headfirst onto the slope. Thousands of horrified viewers watched the neck-breaking fall on television. However, even after 30 years, few people can look at the seconds that followed.
You can watch the VIDEO of the unfortunate tragedy here
The racer was immediately transported to the nearest hospital in Murnau. But a few hours later, tragic news arrived. Maierová broke her cervical spine during the fall and died almost immediately on the slope.
Skiers and the public were devastated. The legendary “Uli” was the darling of the audience and everyone adored her. She was kind, friendly and moreover, she performed excellently.
In 1989, she started at the world championship in the American Vail as a 21-year-old and in the third month of pregnancy. She won gold in the super-G. Two years later, as a ski mom, she followed up on this success. She also added silver from the giant slalom to the gold from the youngest discipline.
Even in her last season she was in great form, she was on the podium five times in the World Cup and won two giant slaloms. The one in Maribor only eight days before his death.
In 1994, the Olympic Games were also held in Lillehammer, and it was there that Maierová wanted to fulfill her last dream – to win Olympic gold. The penultimate race of the year caught her desire. Instead of following the golden dream, on February 3, hundreds of people crowded the funeral in the small town of Raurise.
Maier’s tragedy changed skiing
No one understood what exactly happened on the mentioned day. But Maier’s fiance Hubert Schweighofer was very clear about that. He accused the German organizers and started a lawsuit with them.
At first glance, it may have seemed that the Austrian hit her head against the clock, but the investigation clearly proved otherwise. Maierová hit her head on the slope, and the court dropped the charge after two years. Later, however, FIS paid 600,000 Swiss francs to Melanie’s daughter’s fund.
But what changed permanently after the tragedy were the security measures. The lines began to be widened, the access areas increased, and catchment networks were gradually improved on the edges. Although they cannot prevent these measures, the consequences are no longer so fatal.
Nowadays, there is much more attention paid to athletes. Although many people may not agree after the current situation with injuries to the biggest stars, it is true. The planned race in Ga-Pa was also canceled mainly due to the safety of the competitors.
If the tragedy of Ulrike Maier had not happened, the security itself probably would not have improved so quickly. But the price was too high.
- Author: © List/ Martin Turčin
- VIDEO: YouTube/Ski Jumping Team
- Source: Sports shoes
2024-02-01 04:51:50
#VIDEO #young #died #slopes #heartbreaking #tragedy #changed #skiing
