Born: 1919 (Tacoma, Washington)
Died: 1994 (Ketchum, Idaho)
Biography:
Gretchen Kunigk Fraser, born on February 11, 1919, in Tacoma, Washington, was a pioneering American alpine ski racer who became the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in skiing. Her notable accomplishments on the slopes, as well as her contributions to the world of skiing and her work with disabled athletes, have left a lasting impact on the sport.
Gretchen’s passion for skiing was ignited at the age of 13 when she first hit the slopes at Paradise Valley on the south slopes of Mount Rainier in December 1932. Under the guidance of renowned ski instructor Otto Lang, she quickly developed into a proficient ski racer. She went on to compete on the ski team at the University of Puget Sound, showcasing her talent and determination.
In 1938, Gretchen traveled to Sun Valley, Idaho, to participate in the second Harriman Cup, an emerging international skiing event. It was during this trip that she met Donald Fraser, a 1936 Olympian and Northwest ski champion from the University of Washington. Their connection was instant, and they married in November 1939, making Sun Valley their home.
The outbreak of World War II disrupted Gretchen’s plans of competing in the 1940 Olympic Games, which were ultimately canceled. However, she found solace in skiing by starring in Otto Lang’s military training films and assisting in the rehabilitation of wounded and disabled veterans. This experience laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to working with disabled skiers.
Gretchen finally had her chance to compete in the Winter Olympics in 1948. At the age of 29, just a week before her birthday, she made history by winning the gold medal in the slalom event and a silver medal in the combined event in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Her remarkable achievements garnered both national and international recognition.
Following her Olympic success, Gretchen decided to retire from competition and embrace a new role as a mother and an ambassador for Sun Valley and skiing in general. She became a mentor to aspiring female ski racers at Sun Valley, including the likes of Susie Corrock, Christin Cooper, Picabo Street, Andrea Mead Lawrence, and disabled racer Muffy Davis.
Gretchen Fraser passed away at the age of 75 in February 1994, during the Winter Olympics. Her husband of 54 years, Don Fraser, had preceded her in death by just a month. The couple rests side by side in the city cemetery in Ketchum, Idaho, leaving behind a remarkable legacy.
Gretchen Kunigk Fraser’s enduring contributions to the sport of skiing and her dedication to working with disabled athletes have been duly recognized. In 1960, she was inducted into the National Ski Hall of Fame, and in 2002, she was honored with induction into the Intermountain Ski Hall of Fame in Park City. Additionally, she was enshrined in the State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Puget Sound Hall of Fame in 1960. Her achievements and impact continue to be remembered in various ways, such as the dedication of the Gretchen’s Gold ski run at Sun Valley’s Seattle Ridge and the naming of Gretchen’s Restaurant in the Sun Valley Lodge. Furthermore, a neighborhood park in Vancouver, Washington, bears her name in tribute to her remarkable legacy.
Awards:
– Olympic gold medal in the slalom event (1948)
– Olympic silver medal in the combined event (1948)
– Inductee into the National Ski Hall of Fame (1960)
– Inductee into the Intermountain Ski Hall of Fame (2002)
– Inductee into the State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame (1960)
– Inductee into the University of Puget Sound Hall of Fame (1960)