RIP Austrian Greats Anderl Molterer & Heini Messner

Austrian skiing is mourning the death of two greats, Anderl Molterer and Heinrich "Heini" Messner

His success story is still impressive today: “Anderl”, as he was known to everyone, won the Hahnenkamm nine times and is therefore the sole record holder. If the World Cup had existed in his era, he would have won the overall ranking four times. He was only denied an Olympic gold medal. But he celebrated successes in abundance. The wiry Kitzbüheler won two Olympic medals in the giant slalom (silver) and the downhill (bronze) in Cortina d'Ampezzo (ITA) in 1956, as well as a total of three medals at world championships. He also celebrated over 50 victories in FIS races in the 1950s.

Molterer was part of the six-person Kitzbühel miracle team alongside Fritz Huber, Hias Leitner, Ernst Hinterseer, Christian Pravda and Toni Sailer and was often dubbed the “White Lightning from Kitz” because of his blonde hair at the time.

After his active career, Anderl Molterer lived in the USA with his partner Kay for over 60 years. After her death in late autumn 2022, Anderl set out to live out his old age in his hometown of Kitzbühel, following his oft-mentioned wish. On the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, Anderl Molterer, aged 93, fell asleep quietly and peacefully.

Heinrich "Heini" Messner (1 September 1939 – 19 October 2023)competed at the 1964, 1968, and 1972 Olympics and won two bronze medals: in the giant slalom in 1968 and in the downhill in 1972.[2]

On 5 January 1967, Messner won the first race ever held in the World Cup - a slalom. He had 15 more World Cup podium finishes later in his career. In the 1970s, he pioneered the use of short skis in the technical races. Messner retired after the 1972 season and for two years trained the Austrian women’s team. 

Messner was as versatile as he was elegant as a racer. Although the major triumphs of being an Olympic and World Championship third place finisher in the giant slalom in 1968 and an Olympic third place finisher in downhill in 1972 eluded him, he was highly popular due to his modest and unassuming nature alone.

Messner was also a successful coach. Under his sensitive guidance, Austrian female skiers, led by Annemarie Moser-Pröll and Monika Kaserer, celebrated a series of their greatest triumphs.

He then moved to Steinach am Brenner where he ran a ski school, a boarding house, and a ski rental service. Messner died in October 2023, at the age of 84.