Born: 1954
Marie-Theres Nadig (born 8 March 1954) is a former Swiss alpine skier known for her remarkable success in the disciplines of downhill, giant slalom, and combined during the 1970s and early 1980s. Although she often competed alongside her Austrian rival Annemarie Moser-Pröll, Nadig made a significant impact on the world of alpine skiing, amassing numerous victories and accolades throughout her career.
Nadig was raised in Flumserberg as the daughter of an architect, growing up alongside four siblings. It was here that she developed her passion for skiing and honed her skills on the slopes. Her talent became evident in 1970 when she made a splash by clinching the titles in giant slalom, slalom, and combined at the Swiss Junior Championships.
In the winter of 1970/71, Nadig was selected to join the Swiss national team and made her debut in the World Cup. On December 3, 1971, she earned her first World Cup points with a commendable sixth-place finish in the downhill event held in St. Moritz. Just six weeks later, she achieved her maiden podium finish in the giant slalom race in Grindelwald, solidifying her qualification for the upcoming 1972 Winter Olympics.
It was at the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo that Nadig claimed the spotlight by securing gold medals in both the downhill and giant slalom events. Her victories were a surprise, as she surpassed the favored Annemarie Moser-Pröll to clinch the top honors. These Olympic triumphs also doubled as world championship titles for Nadig, strengthening her status as one of the leading figures in alpine skiing. The exceptional results from her debut World Cup season saw her finish in fifth place overall. For her remarkable achievements, she was rightfully recognized as the Sportswoman of the Year.
In the subsequent winter of 1972/73, Nadig faced challenges and was unable to match her successes from the previous year. Her best result was a third place finish at the end of the season in Mont Sainte-Anne. However, Nadig made a strong comeback in the winter of 1973/74, demonstrating much greater consistency. She achieved a second-place finish in the downhill race at the Silberkrug competition held in Bad Gastein, though a World Cup victory still eluded her. The 1974 World Championships in St. Moritz were a bit of a letdown for Nadig, as she placed fifth in the downhill event and was eliminated in the giant slalom.
Aside from her prowess on the ski slopes, Nadig was also a talented football (soccer) player in the National League A. In the months leading up to the ski season, she trained multiple times a week with FC Zurich, a team that sought to draw more attention with her participation.
In total, Nadig accumulated an impressive 24 World Cup victories throughout her career. Her most notable accomplishment came in the 1980/81 season when she clinched the overall World Cup title. She also earned a bronze medal in the downhill event at the 1980 Winter Olympics held in Lake Placid.
After retiring from competitive skiing in 1981, Nadig pursued a coaching career that spanned two decades. She first worked as a coach in Liechtenstein and later in Switzerland, sharing her expertise and passion for the sport with aspiring young skiers.
Despite often living in the shadow of her Austrian rival, Nadig’s contributions to the world of alpine skiing are undeniable. Her remarkable achievements, especially her Olympic and world championship titles, have left an indelible mark on the history of women’s skiing. Nadig’s determination, skill, and dedication have rightfully earned her a place among the greats of the sport.
Awards:
– Sportswoman of the Year (1972)
Source:
Wikipedia
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