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Together, Gunde Svan and serviceman Ferdinand “Ferry” Grill changed the sport of skiing.
When Gunde Svan talks about the friend, the tears come.
– I think you understand why I have a son called Ferry, says Gunde Svan in SVT’s documentary.
Through his ski brand, Gunde Svan and several other skiers early on got “Ferry” as a fencer.
– I felt early on with him that he was in for this. Many of the service guys could go down to the hotel bar when it got late, have a beer with their colleagues. Have a good time. But I saw that “Ferry” hung around much longer in the barn than the others, says Svan.
The Swedish skiing legend wanted the best material, and convinced the Austrian to work only for him.
– In the end, I wanted Ferry to myself.
Named his son after Ferry
When they both meet in the documentary and talk about each other’s importance and collaboration, they fall silent. And then the tears come.
– He taught me inside and out.
– I think you understand.. that’s why I have a son called Ferry.
Before Svan’s last WC, in 1991, he offered his serviceman an extra bonus in case of a possible gold. “Ferry” tells:
– When Gunde asked how much I wanted, I thought that now I should take it in. I said an amount and then Gunde replied: “Double!”
Svan then won the three-mile and “Ferry” got his bonus.
– It was a competition that will last a lifetime, says “Ferry” Grill.
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full screen Photo: SVT.Se/Sport
