Born: 2 September 1927 (Lech am Arlberg)
Biography:
Trude Jochum-Beiser, born on 2 September 1927 in Lech am Arlberg, was a renowned Austrian alpine skier. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, she emerged as one of the most talented female ski racers in the world. Celebrated for her exceptional skills on the slopes, Jochum-Beiser achieved remarkable success throughout her career, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
Trude Beiser grew up in a family with ten siblings, which meant sharing a single pair of skis as a child. Nevertheless, her promising talent was recognized, and in the late 1930s, she was admitted into the Arlberg Ski Club. There, she received special attention and support to develop her skills, swiftly rising to the top ranks of Austrian skiing. Following World War II, Jochum-Beiser earned a place in the national squad of the ÖSV, or Austrian Ski Association.
Due to the restrictions imposed on Austrian skiers in international competitions during the immediate post-war era, Jochum-Beiser primarily participated in national events. In 1946, she secured her first victory in an international race, winning the junior class of the Gamperney Derby in Grabs. Over the course of the 1946/47 season, she notched up numerous triumphs, including the downhill races in Grindelwald and Seefeld. Additionally, she achieved remarkable results at the prestigious Arlberg-Kandahar races in Mürren, winning the slalom and finishing as the runner-up in the downhill and combined events.
In the early stages of the 1947/48 season, Jochum-Beiser showcased her skills once again, clinching victory in the downhill, slalom, and combined competitions at the West Cup in Lech. However, she faced health issues that hampered her progress. Despite this setback, she regained her form by the height of the season and secured her first major success at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz. In the combined event, a blend of the downhill and slalom races, she triumphed, claiming the gold medal ahead of the USA’s Gretchen Fraser, after finishing second in the downhill. Her performance in the combined slalom secured her the eighth position, earning her the coveted gold medal in the overall combined standings.
Following the 1948 season, Jochum-Beiser temporarily retired to focus on her personal life. She married Alois Jochum and welcomed her first child, Alfred, in the following year. However, her passion for skiing led her back to the sport, and she made a comeback in the 1949/50 winter season. Initially, she struggled to achieve top results, but as the 1950 World Championships in Aspen approached, Jochum-Beiser regained her former glory. In the giant slalom event, she captured the silver medal, finishing behind Dagmar Rom. Four days later, she became the downhill world champion, besting Erika Mahringer.
Following this victory, Jochum-Beiser decided to retire from skiing once again to devote more time to her growing family. Nevertheless, her contributions to the sport remain unparalleled. Trude Jochum-Beiser’s exceptional talent, dedication, and outstanding achievements have solidified her as one of the most prominent figures in alpine skiing history.
Awards:
– Gold Medal, Olympic Champion in Combined, 1948
– Gold Medal, Olympic Champion in Downhill, 1952
– Silver Medal, World Championships in Giant Slalom, 1950
– Gold Medal, World Champion in Downhill, 1950