Franz Klammer 1976 Innsbruck - The Greatest Downhill Run of All Time - FULL UNEDITED!!

Finally!! Here it is !! The FULL unedited original legendary run of Franz Klammer at the 1976 Innsbruck Olymps! The greatest downhill run of ALL Time! And it was not on KZbin in full?? What the hell. All I could find on KZbin was dodgy edited versions showing only half of the run, parts in slow motion or snippets that just frustrate the hell out of you. So heres the real deal! I asked my father and he said "i have it somewhere on one of my old VHS tapes im sure of it..." and we did a long extensive search and found it! My father had one of the very first VCR recorders, a clunky JVC in 1976 and captured this direct from the broadcast to a Scotch 3M VHS tape. With the original incredible commentary by ABC USA broadcasters Frank Gifford and Bob Beattie. Their excitement is palpable. Legend has it that at the top just before Franz left the starting gate he asked the timing official “What do I need to do to win?” and the guy responded “…Kill Yourself”. This can only be described as a Kamikaze run on the edge of suicide. At 1.35 is when he takes a line that no other skier dared to on the day and that is to cut harder left, slingshotting him forward faster. Here is a Pro-Quality transfer from my fathers original master tape and it turned out brilliant and clear. (Surely my fathers tape isn’t the only known copy of this run in full?) Lineage: Original Scotch VHS 3Hr (1980) SP- Panasonic NVHS-960 SVHS (Gold edition - Mint) - SVIDEO lead - Canopus ADVC300 - Firewire - PC /w/ Sony Vegas with Neatvideo plugin - TMPGENC (Deint - 50fps mp4 3000bitrate) - KZbin.
Enjoy!!!

[@DeadManPutting]

I watched this LIVE with my father 46 years ago and STILL TO THIS DAY it is the most exhilarating 1 minute and 46 secs I HAVE EVER SEEN in sports.

[@dottiedavis355]

Me, too!

[@nbr6isnbr1]

My dad and I watched it live too. It was awesome!

[@dottiedavis355]

My Dad (and brother) and I were glued to the TV in Nov 1963, and in 2001, when we couldn’t be together, stayed on the phone pretty much all day. Same for y’all?

[@RackyRocoon]

So did I. I remembered Frank Gifford saying, "Franz Klamer is on the edge of disaster!".

[@spikespa5208]

Of all the Olympics I've watched over the decades, this run live is the *one* performance that sticks in my mind. A thrill and a joy to watch again.

[@literallyshaking8019]

This is the skiing equivalent of Ayrton Senna in the wet. Completely on the edge of control where no one else dared to tread, yet still able to keep it all together. Total knowledge of the racing line and using every tool in the book to find just enough grip to avoid disaster. I can’t imagine doing this run on modern skis let alone the planks they used back in the day (just as I can’t imagine the speeds old F1 drivers hit on cars with little to no aero, almost no safety equipment, ancient tire compounds and one hand on the wheel while they shifted thru corners). Respect to the old timers.

[@johnschlaefflin2100]

Very good comparison.

[@ppgrac]

When I read Ayrton Senna's name I new your comment would be good!

[@OlizerVanAntoninus]

How would rate James Hunt at Fuji in 76?

[@donswier]

👍 I'll chime in with Colin McRae in his prime attacking a bumpy rally stage in a Subaru.

[@ernestogasulla7763]

@@OlizerVanAntoninus unprofessional. He just needed a 4th place, he risked throwing it all away.

[@latergator9622]

While that was indeed the greatest downhill run I’ve ever seen, those announcers were sooo much better than the ones today.

[@kennyc388]

Frank Gifford was one.

[@slavek033]

You could feel the adrenaline just to listen to them

[@crkmt]

@@kennyc388 Bob Beattie was the other. Frank Gifford did a little bit of everything for ABC back in the day, especially in the 1970s.

[@stevenmeyer9674]

The broadcast was tape delayed . Gifford and beattie was able to watch the run before doing their play by play coverage of the downhill. Sometimes things aren't what they seemed.

[@stevenmeyer9674]

@@crkmt Correct. And he was equally bad at all of them.

[@nevillebroadbent1601]

I watched this race as a kid. I can't believe how rough the course was. Almost a mogul field in some parts

[@markclowdus3834]

So did I and will never forget it. Greatest downhill EVER.

[@foxbat1766]

Me too! First time I ever knew this was a sport. What a name too, Franz Klammer!

[@TheBigdutchster]

@@foxbat1766 Same. That's why I remember his name.

[@mdgeist012002]

Me too it was asome to whavh

[@Hvitserk67]

11 years old me saw this race in Norway (on the telly) and I am still quite impressed. That the course was rough is an understatement. Franz must have had pain in his thigh muscles for weeks after this race.

[@damonmusselman406]

To this day, I refer to this as the “Franz Klammer kamikaze downhill”; he skied that like it was “gold or die!”

[@KenCostlow]

All gas -- no brakes.

[@KitCalder]

@@KenCostlow channel 5 baby

[@mrkillermaxxx]

Pokal oder spital, as we say here in Austria :)

[@geoffchappell2184]

As the Clash once said, Death Or Glory!

[@kidwave1]

He looked 100% OUT OF CONTROL, for the entire run! I guess its exactly what it called for!

[@Nicksonian]

Got to give props to ABC. They were pioneers in sports coverage and they captured this run seamlessly over 40 years ago.

[@michaelwarren2391]

"The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat" and that poor ski jumper crashing every week!!

[@tracypanavia4634]

The cameras were not ABCs tho, right?

[@markschattefor6997]

@@tracypanavia4634 Why would an USian company be interested in something without a murican involved?

[@crkmt]

@@markschattefor6997 Wide World of Sports was good TV back in the day. Before 24/7/365 sports it brought you something you wouldn't see most of the time.

[@RandomDudeOne]

@@michaelwarren2391 Rumor back then was the ski jumper had died.

[@steveorules3972]

Great memories of watching this with my Dad as a child. Nothing more precious then being with your Dad. I miss you Dad😥🙏

[@DanielC__]

Definitely the greatest downhiller ever. I was 9 years old watching this and still remember it this day. We had some lousy B/W television but you could still tell how he was barely maintaining control. Truly "on the edge" of disaster vs greatness. Guy had balls big enough to fill a wheel barrow.

[@thewoodwardreport2806]

This was the best year in spurts.

[@texasrockshillcountry6574]

Watched it on a B/W TV too, I was 10. Our living room CHEERED when Franz "The Fonz" Klammer WON!! It was 1:45.75! Bernad Russi was 1:46.06! SO CLOSE!!

[@karaDee2363]

I was 16 years old and watched it live on a 24 inch color TV, since my parents threw away the B&W TVs in the late 60's..lol

[@geob0324]

I'll bet Bernar Russi is still pissed.

[@davidtocher3942]

Barely.. but that was him best ever

[@davidc9985]

Probably the greatest, single Olympic performance by a skier ever! He had to know at that speed, that level of ‘out of control” and that terrain, if he fell he was going to be hurt very bad or killed and all he did was go faster, closer to the edge! Amazing!

[@thewolf5444]

That is just absolutely insane. He pushed himself to the absolute limit. That's a champion right there

[@jhgust]

Killed? Hmmm

[@MrJohnr47]

I remember that run. Best ever

[@larrywkoch]

I still think it's the greatest winter Olympic moment, saw it live

[@KenCostlow]

The greatest two minutes I've ever seen in sports by a human.

[@mtadams2009]

Back in the day he was the man. To me he still is. We would race down our local ski hill and make believe we were him. A true legend.

[@joea5228]

Us too

[@levondarratt787]

same here! Klammer Franzi!

[@JustAFocus]

I remember watching this with my dad when I was a kid. He was just laughing the whole time, because there were so many times in this run where we were sure that Franz was going to eat it, but he somehow didn't. It still puts a smile on my face to think about that moment, watching it live. To me, this is still the most awesome downhill ever.

[@smeagolmazurenko5238]

It's funny, I laugh every time I watch this too. What an insane feat.

[@hlfordiii]

I remember watching this as a 16 year old kid in 1976. It was the most exciting sports moment I had ever seen. Today, in 2022, I'm 62 years old and when I think of exciting sporting events I always remember the excitement of this race. Always!

[@levondarratt787]

wow

[@philipcatuogno2968]

Chills. I watched this live as a kid. What a call by Beattie and Gifford!

[@topofthecircle]

Bob Beattie made this call. Wow.

[@dwaynecoy1871]

It's even more impressive when you consider that the primetime broadcast of the Olympics in the 70's took place in the evening primetime for the US TV audience. Both Gifford and Beattie saw it happen about 6 hours before they went into the studio to make the call by watching the taped version from earlier in the day.

[@tomscott3]

beattie was legendary

[@larrywkoch]

Haven't seen it in years , just got chills again, best ever

[@michaellerner3764]

I also remember it as a kid. Great post

[@bobnoblesjr.465]

I remember watching this on TV. My dad and I were cheering him on and couldn't believe how he was still on his ski's. A spectacular run!

[@ketinq8]

Me, too!

[@brainscott8198]

My dad loved great sounding names in sports, and better if they excelled. Names like former Green Bay QB Zeke Bratkowski, ex-NFL lineman Kemo von Ohlhoffen, etc. In February, 1976, he would always laugh when he heard the name Franz Klammer, and enjoyed when Klammer won the gold. R I P, Dad.

[@Terkenk]

I was an Orthopedic Surgery resident working in the ER at the University Of MN when Franz made that run. It was on TV in the waiting room. I have never seen a more exciting performance on skis since.!

[@jamessutherland5107]

That is probably positively absolutely the fastest anyone could make it down that Hill. Just unbelievable he kept it together

[@martinschmidt1652]

Nah, nowadays with new material and better slope they go MUCH faster

[@brainscott8198]

@@martinschmidt1652 I think he meant the fastest one could ski in 1976...Killjoy.

[@TonyMontanaOG]

Yeah with new designs and materials he could have gone much faster, but good for 1976. The best is happening now, unfortunately.

[@DarrenGlen]

nowadays they would never have ruts and moguls like that, nor would they allow air into turns so sharp, and that have only some haybails lining the landing. I think most pussy downhillers today would refuse to go down and cry in the corner

[@pacificoast82]

I saw this race live when it ran. It was the most exciting downhill I’ve ever seen. Klammer spent essentially the entire race on the very edge of losing control...yet he managed not to. My heart pounded watching this!

[@joshmccoy1522]

I remember watching this "live." Me and my buddies were all rooting for him, just because of his 'let it all hang out' style.

[@pcm7315]

Watched live, too - So exciting!

[@weldonbailey1005]

Ditto...seemed he always pushed it to the very edge. Great skier.

[@ericbergstrom3953]

Same here. Before there was Bode, there was Franz!

[@alexmontgomery255]

I remember watching this that day also, I was 17.

[@jerryjeromehawkins1712]

The announcers were just as good as Franz! They really kept you on the edge of your seat... absolutely amazing!

[@vinsvids1]

Not sure why this put a lump in my throat, but damned if it didn't. I was 17 at the time. All these years later, and it's still as inspiring as if it had just happened.

[@esotericist]

You're the same age as me then. And ditto about the lump in the throat. Our young days were an era of absolute legends. Franz Klammer was one of them!

[@bikeny]

@@esotericist Right there with you and K C W.

[@kimuvat2461]

...and protective fence is woods🤪

[@Aerospacer77]

Absolutely amazing and fearless run. That course looks horrible and imagine the ski gear back then on top of that. It was do or die for the gold.

[@panheadbob2926]

By the mid seventies, the equipment was actually pretty good.

[@roncale81]

I was there to see it in person. Was standing next to the fencing at final left turn/jump what an amazing experience to be that close to greatness such as that. And the crowd...... my god what a bunch of crazy lunatics

[@johnslovak5573]

Treasure 👍👍👍

[@GiantsWS]

Don't lie - I was ACTUALLY there that day, and I don't remember seeing you. Nice try.

[@jameywc2]

How freakin lucky can u b!

[@johnlucier5654]

@@GiantsWS I was there, I dont remember EITHER of you! I called Franz he said he remembers everyone there asked why you didnt show up?

[@mainemceachern1521]

That's fricking cool. Hard to believe it was 46 years ago now ...

[@beechnut8779]

Never forgot this moment watching the Olympics with my family, everyone in the house screaming. Just as thrilling all these years later!

[@bradmiller9121]

I was like you with my family, and even all these years later I still don't know how he kept from wiping out. Truly one of the greatest downhill runs in Olympic history.

[@NowThatsaRAP]

Every few years I come back to this just to remind myself how great the world of sports was. This was my first Olympics, followed by Bruce and Nadia in Montreal, and then the greatest olympic moment ever, the 1980 Miracle on Ice. Yeah, I was just 15, but the Olympics have never been the same. And believe me, I've tried. There have been great olympic moments since, but as a whole, the feeling, the magic, the innocence (which was never really there, I know), is gone. But this run will never be forgotten!!

[@tomscott3]

@@NowThatsaRAP there's just no replacing the "golden age" of sports. and beattie, mckay.....legends.

[@justme10]

Compared with today, it's off-road skiing. Every times he jumps I think he falls. Insane genious.

[@la7dfa]

Its hard to compare different time periods due to gear etc. Winning by 0.3 seconds cannot however be the greatest run of all time. The winning margin is simply too small.

[@jnnx]

Genius.

[@petermgruhn]

Disagree. Winning by 0.3 seconds can be the greatest run of all time. There isn't enough information in that one data point to make a claim.

[@Vidar.m]

Today they got narrower tracks and more bends

[@GrislyAtoms12]

"off-road skiing". Heh. Good line!

[@888buzzz]

I’ve watched this dozens of times since 1976 and it’s still the most exciting run of all time.

[@JayDogTitan-he6wo]

I remember watching this when I was 11, ive been a downhill skiing fan ever since, Incredible performance by Klammer.

[@edwardmorgan8371]

Me too. This guy was on ragged edge and almost lost it a coup,e times. Fearless

[@billyford154]

I was 12

[@gregory46236]

I was 13

[@tiger38able]

I was 13 and I remember this was such a great event to watch! To this day men’s downhill is still my favorite winter sport! Thank you Franz!

[@ranchump]

I remember it too!!! Me and my brother could not sit watching him fly all over that slope! It was exhilarating

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

It was my dad’s funeral on Tuesday and I remember watching this race back in the 70s with dad, great times

[@garygemmell3488]

This was the first downhill race I had ever seen. I was still in Junior HS at the time. Klammer's run was one hell of a way to finish it. I watched it with my Mom and siblings. We were all screaming at the TV every time he almost bought it, my Mom being the loudest. It's still the most exciting run I've ever seen.

[@sw5114]

We were screaming too. Never will be forgotten!

[@swalter36]

"My Mom being the loudest" ....lol, I love her already!! Very cool.

[@kaischmidt8030]

This is my most vivid Olympic memory from my childhood. My parents, neither of whom ever skied, and myself, sitting on the edge of our seats, screaming.

[@Brian-ku3ub]

Best Olympic call. Ever….Even considering miracle on ice, I could watch this all day long and still get thrown back to being 11 and in awe every time

[@dwaynecoy1871]

It's especially impressive when you consider that Gifford and Beattie were making the call about 6 hours later while watching it again on tape. In 76, they only broadcast the games in evening when most of the events had happened much earlier in Austria.

[@tomscott3]

beattie's call is to skiing what jerry "the king's" was to WWE. GOAT

[@johnulmer6715]

I remember watching this when I was 12 years old, and was fascinated by his reckless abandon while skiing. Still use him as a reference while acting like a jackass on the ski hills to this day. I remember four sporting events like they were yesterday, Secretariat wining the triple crown, this, the 1980 USA beating the Soviet Union in hockey, and Herman Maier wrecking in Nagano. Great moments!

[@Enigma71559]

I remember watching this live too. I'm a few years older than you and you got me thinking about the most thrilling sports moments I've watched live. I honestly hadn't thought about this one in a long time, but it's up there. Secretariat may be my #1. NEVER forget it, and still love to watch the Belmont replay. I missed the "Miracle on Ice" as I worked nights at the time. One of my most memorable was Michael Johnson's 200 meter final in the '96 Olympics. Similar to Klammer, he had so much pressure on him to perform and he CRUSHED it! And as a cycling fan, Greg Lemond's 8 second victory in the '89 Tour De France was a huge one for me. Technically, that wasn't live because it happened early in the morning US time, but was seeing it for the first time when it was broadcast on ABC. Love to see more folks get in on this. What's your top sports moments you saw live. TV or in person.

[@johnulmer6715]

@@Enigma71559 Glad I could bring up some great moments. While I did watch these live they were on TV. My favorite in person event was in the early spring of 1980 shortly after the Olympics, my high school wrestling team and I went to Rapid City, South Dakota to watch the United States Natioal team wrestle the Soviet Union team. Randy Lewis was from Rapid City so the held the match there.. Dan Gable and Stan Diezdic were the national coaches. We didn't win but wrestled to a 5-5 tie, which was an achievement in those days. Like the hockey game, the chant USA, USA, USA, filled the Rapid City Civic Center as Larry Billenburg won his match to put us at the tie. Awesome night all around. Still have the program with Gable, Lee Kemp, Stan Humphreys and several other autographs. This one event helped push me to become the best wrestler I could and a couple years later earned a division 2 wrestling scholarship. We had it great back then! How about your favorite in person event. Have a good one!

[@tomscott3]

that's right, the hermanator! forgot about that one. the most spectacular crash in any sport....ever.....in which the victim walked away.

[@xtctrader1467]

I also was twelve at the time, living in Calgary, Canada. Bob Beattie's call added to the thrill of watching him flying down the side of the mountain.

[@johnligon5117]

My brother and I also used him as a reference, and now, my brother skis (socially 😂) with Franz along with our buddy from Reno Fran’s Weber, speed skier

[@jeffswank1153]

Like many others I remember watching this as a youth. I was 10 at the time. Klammer was the first to really carve turns rather than just sliding through the corner. Moreover, it was a mental thing. Beattie interviewed him the next winter at Kitzbeuhel and I remember him saying "My only fear is of a bad time." AS this run shows, he would risk anything for a win. Simply, the greatest downhiller of all time.

[@someotherdude]

I remember watching this live as a 12 year old on ski vacation in Vermont. You can bet we all idolized this guy from the instant we saw this.

[@georgetrbovich5488]

It was because of this run that I immediately got into downhill skiing. At 72 still Downhill Skiing. Thank You Franz.

[@cheezenub]

I recall watching this with my father. We both knew nothing about skiing, but were going nuts during the run. Props to ABC for a world class Olympics that year.

[@georgesealy4706]

I saw this live back then. Not knowing anything about competitive skiiing, I had no idea who he was or even what the 'downhill' event was. But this sure was exciting. The man put it all out there to win it and he was on the edge of disaster the whole way down. I never forgot it.

[@tompullam5304]

Fully agree with every comment, best Olympic performance ever! But remember, the hopes of the entire country of Austria were on him to actually win the gold medal, and anything else would be considered a failure! Winning the way he did, last skier of the run, balls to the wall, with the love and the pressure of his country on his back…I consider it the best ever!

[@levondarratt787]

yeah!! I was there...as a baby..well no 8 years old...screaming for him..we needed that gold,.,,,I am not even that patriotic...but when it comes to skiing....we can't fool around...

[@sgpsimonb]

I was 8 when this race was run. That year at ski school I told the Austrian teacher I did not want to learn to turn - I wanted to "do a Klammer!" What a competitor!

[@brianparkinson1324]

I was 12 and a ski racer in 76 - this is high-octane goosebumps. Thx.

[@panheadbob2926]

I too was twelve and a ski racer in PNSA in '76. Watching this today is still as thrilling as it was back then.

[@rangefinderrick1]

I remember watching this on TV.. The man was already incredible but on this day he became a living legend.

[@FB1BB1BB1]

Was in the army at Fort Hunter Liggett California. Watched in the day room late night with about 12 other soldiers. We were there each night. Very enjoyable winter Olympics.

[@carolecarr5210]

I remember seeing his run with my family in the US & we were all so excited and war hooping. He passed all geographical boundaries with his incredible run. A moment in time I'll never forget.

[@johnschlaefflin2100]

That was insane! Back when you could look completely out of control and still be the best in the world. Today everyone looks and skis the same, not nearly as thrilling as this.

[@randominternet5586]

Part of this is the courses are now pure ice / technical.

[@TonyCougar1965]

I remember watching this on tv as an 11 year old. Back then there was no internet so back in the states most of us didn’t know the results before they aired. The excitement of watching the run, the announcers energy, etc. makes it one of the best tv sports memories of the 1970’s.

[@morry27jd24]

There was no internet in 76 ? I remember as a young schoolchild we would all gather round at John Theakstones house (his dad was rich) to surf the net or as we called it back then ‘the electronic moving pages”

[@richardhill4938]

@@morry27jd24 No there was no internet what became the internet was still a DARPA sponsored research project that was confined to the military and universities.

[@swalter36]

Maybe Theaksones' dad was Government. "A seminal step in this sequence took place in 1968 when ARPA contracted BBN Technologies to build the first routers, which one year later enabled ARPANET to become operational."

[@philchurch1115]

Phil Church here I watched this on TV and I was 18 and a snow skier .. love it .

[@abdiver12]

I remember watching this as a kid and saying to myself, "man, it takes some serious balls to do that. One slip and you're screwed!" It takes a special kind of person to do this sport.

[@HAZMOLZ]

This run sums up the 70's as a decade. Wild, extravagant, out of control, but a hell of a good time.

[@patrickwolff2727]

And finished way too fast!

[@carseye1219]

I remembered this so vividly. Even as a non-skier, the way the analysts were so stunned, I knew I was watching greatness. For me, the Winter games were better when they were smaller. The downhill was IT. I got tired of watching "judged" events this year. I prefer fastest A to B stuff. If I ever see another halfpipe anything, it will be too soon. No offense, halfpipe fans.

[@roryvonbrutt7302]

cars I won.....Let alone halfpipe/snowboards ruining skiing/Ski runs for everyone ❗️

[@jayshukla1331]

@@roryvonbrutt7302 Everyone's just out there trying to have a good time, I'm a boarder and I love my fellow skiers, plenty of room on the mountain!! Only good vibes, take care!

[@roryvonbrutt7302]

@@jayshukla1331 I’m not dogging anybody I’ve been a skier for a long time I’m old and I don’t like groomed slopes… Totally understand that’s why I don’t ski anymore it’s all good everyone’s got their opinion‼️®™️

[@scrumpymanjack]

I agree. I would also like to extend the same thinking to the summer Olympics. Synchronised swimming judged by a load of corrupt officials? No, thanks. Diving with judges who favour the favourites, nope. Gymnastics (I know this won't be popular)? You can strip that out, too. I just want to see first past the post stuff - swimming, athletics, shooting, archery etc. etc.

[@tomscott3]

@@scrumpymanjack exactly. people make poor judges. see my other post on this thread.

[@comingverysoon]

Yes indeed. I also watched this live and my heart was pounding then just as it was now watching it again. Major props to the announcers for their call, which served the moment so perfectly.

[@nico19611]

many thanks for sharing your tape ! it catapults me back in time, right into the feeling i had when i watched franz klammer's race live on tv. the american live commentary is awesome. regards from austria, best wishes to you.

[@edbears5725]

Funny story......the live commentary isn't live. There is an interview with Gifford telling how after watching the race he and Beattie celebrated with fans quite a bit and then remembered they had to record play by play for the American audience back home. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5e8h2iQhN2IidU

[@fredericperrin3279]

Very nice to see this! I was 8 at that time. Russi and Colombin were my favorites (I am Swiss). But Klammer introduced a completely new way of running downhill. Russi was, in the traditional school, a perfectionist who was trying to be completely in control. Klammer, as is very obvious in this video, was just wild and simply letting everything go. He looks like the track is controlling him, and he is just letting go. Revolutionary! A brillant skier.

[@LANorm]

Like many of you I saw this live. I was amazed then and now beside myself at how ferocious Franz was, especially from being able to replay it. He is certainly inspires one to pursue a goal 100%.

[@DanHageeStuff]

Franz Klammer and watching this run as a child was the inspiration for me to try to excel in Life against any odds when trying to reach a goal. In playing sports, career in military and business after it has been a part of my personal pysche. I have been to World Series, Super Bowls and many other great sporting events but none of them have come close to this performance under the pressure he was under in the conditions he won the gold. Thank you Franz for the gift you gave us.

[@panmaew]

No idea how he managed to save all the near-misses coming down that rough slope. Ran ragged at a crazy speed over all those bumps and still be able to stand on two feet. Got to give the medal to him.

[@errcoche]

The first time I went skiing was with a couple of Canadian friends who were experienced skiers. I started on the run doing what I thought was the snowplow, got bored after a few seconds and put my skis parallel and tucked. For some reason, although I am normally not convinced of my sporting abilities, I decided I was going to be a natural and was thinking of this performance by Franz Klammer. I certainly thought "Franz Klammer!" and I like to think I said it out loud. All was well until the first actual bend where I went straight on into the trees and put both my skis through a chain link fence. Luckily I was strong enough to extricate myself without help. It really was the skiing performance that will stay with me to the grave ( Klammer's not mine ).

[@jaytravtulsa1]

Greatest Downhill Run Ever. I skied as a kid with my family a lot in the years after this and “to Franz Klammer” was indeed a verb, a skiing style, a mindset. Usually ended with a crash or panicked stop once we got going too fast... “He’s almost into the hay bales!”

[@errcoche]

@@jaytravtulsa1 Too right Jay - let's go MEEENTALLL! I did end up skiing once a year in France for a while as an adult. I was a cyclist and soccer player with very strong legs that I used to compensate for abysmal technique in order to go at very unsafe speeds. Happily I didn't kill myself or anybody else ( actually not funny thinking back, I was on the edge at times in a very irresponsible way ). Old Franz brought out the devil in a lot of us.

[@sambascom8260]

I love your attitude...and it made me laugh. I was once stopped by a waist high thick rope at the bottom of a run called Mad Dog.

[@GrislyAtoms12]

Ed, So glad you didn't imlpale yourself on a branch!!

[@grobin3745]

One of the all time greatest...loved watching the '76 winter Olympics...similar to motorsports, this was a time when champions relied on speed, guts and duct tape...no techno gear or safety cushions...one wrong move could end a career, but they went FLAT OUT every time.

[@gastondoumerc7863]

I remember watching those Olympics as a kid and Klammer’s run in particular. My whole family couldn’t believe what we were seeing.

[@Army4Runner]

Beautiful! Back when sporting competition was only about sporting competition. A time when the rest of us could escape into the legendary feats these athletes accomplished without being browbeaten by the cause-celeb of the moment.

[@1ouncebird]

I was watching in 1976 also and was thrilled to death by Franz Klammer. What a skier and what a fantastic downhill Gold run. Twelve years later in 1988 I finally made it to Europe and visited Innsbruck. At that time there was an Olympics museum that I went to and there I saw a display of skis from the Olympics and leaning against a wall were these very skis that Franz had used for this run in this video. I was able to touch them and it was kind of magical. Franz Kammer's Gold medal skis. Yes! Thank you so much Darren Glen for going through all of that effort to find this video and share it with us. Bravo! It remains as the most exciting downhill run I have ever seen.

[@shibumi5210]

I remember watching this live- if crashing out is going 100.1%, he was at 100.09 the entire run down that mountain... unbelievable how he could balance with balls that huge... 😳

[@tomscott3]

exactly

[@beyondfossil]

Quite possibly it was those exact huge balls that kept him from losing control! They acted as a pair of inertial stabilizers.

[@bewell4467]

Watched this with my brother when I was 9. The only time I was ever skiing was in the military and Franz Klammer is probably the only skiier i remember by name but it was thrilling watching that whole competition. Will always remember that downhill run.

[@jimt7851]

We watched this live in the UK forty odd years ago. I didn't understand how unbelievably scary that run was until I started skiing 5 years ago.....

[@willtheman840]

I agree. I remember watching this live. One of the most intense, suspenseful, wild, thrilling sports performances ever.

[@williamdavis600]

The greatest downhill race ever! Saw it when I was 16 and it is as thrilling a 4 minutes as I've ever seen.

[@TooBrokeToWheel]

Add me to the list of those who saw this as it happened at 10 years old. Remember it vividly......absolutely amazing

[@donaldculp3759]

I was 15 watching this and took up skiing the next winter. A sport I still love and when I catch air, I’m Franz (yeah right!). This was the greatest run, completely out of control but making it!

[@markywellsboy2182]

Absolutely bonkers. I watched this live on television as a wide eyed 13 year old. Kaiser Franz is the reason that I was determined that one day, I would ski in Austria. It took my a while, but I got there. It's the best holiday ever. Thank you, Franz.

[@chrisvesy7245]

My Dad & I watched this live...we were both out of our seats amazed!! One of those great moments someone never forgets!! 😱

[@moviesgalore9947]

Thanks for this it's still after all these years the most exciting two minutes in the history of all sports it will never be equaled for sheer excitement and adrenaline rush.

[@ringoliverpond965]

I had the pleasure of being his personal snowmobile driver when he did a celebrity ski event in Vail...I was so in awe and he turned out to be one of the most likable people I've ever met.

[@RTFLDGR]

I remember this from when I was 13 years old. I watched that race live. I remember Franz klamer. I remember him winning that gold. Wow.

[@charliepickard7798]

I was blessed to have watched this as it happened, still my favorite run.

[@gmarky81]

As a kid from the deep south who had barely seen snow much less skied , I remember watching this live and just being in total awe of him and this run .

[@johngore7744]

I ski for fun and this is insane. His adrenaline must be way way up and the air he keeps getting and maintaining control at that speed. His whole body is in overdrive. Incredible.

[@tanglediver]

Oh my, yes! I was absolutely riveted to the screen as this was broadcast live, right on the edge of my seat!

[@trevorlee7945]

Watched it in 76 when I was just a teen and that was the most incredible skiing I have ever seen still to this day . Klammer was just so over the edge of control it was incredible he didn't have an epic crash and even more epic he won .

[@doncastillo7813]

I watched this live back in the day.....it was incredible.......brings back such good memories 😌

[@alancochrane1748]

THEE greatest moment in the history of sports! Takes me back to the Scottish Highlands to the day I ran from school lunch break to home quicker than Usain Bolt could have done to watch this. As Captain of the school ski team he was my and the team's idol. His world of fans and all Austrians put the weight on his shoulders to get the job done. He did it! By Jesus he did it!!!! KAISER FRANZ!!!!

[@kencollins1017]

It's certainly up there, but for my money Secretariat at the Belmont 1973 ranks as the most amazing sporting event.

[@kiviuq3495]

I too watched this live. One of the great sporting moments of the last fifty years.

[@russburton8517]

I remember being in Jackson, Wy. for a downhill race of our own, and seeing this, and were all just like woah over and over again.

[@johnwestcott5606]

I watched his run on TV. It was unbelievable! I’ll never forget it! Thank you for sharing the video with us!

[@kasimsultonfan]

The Kärnten Farmboy. Utter legend. In the red & white candy stripes he was a god of speed and fearlessness.

[@checkmate9111]

Watched this live with my father…. Amazing and will always remember it. Great memories !!

[@88jaguars]

As a kid, I'm sure we watched the Olympics as a family, this is the first Olympic memory that I can recall..crazy..awesome. I was mentioning this as I watched the past Olympics..."remember Franz Klammer"....glad this is on my KZbin feed..

[@Chuckson56]

That was a monster of a run, he pushed it to the very limit without having an accident. A true gold medal performance.

[@nancydulz1533]

One of the greatest Olympic Performances ever!

[@mikeferguson5935]

Hell yes and I am an American.

[@umberct]

I was 15, a skier, living in Colorado at a bar, drinking and watching on the projection screen. I saw this historic run. I used to emulate these skiers techniques. Alberto Tomba was another God to me. Skiers of this calabre were my sport hero’s.

[@fleetskipper1810]

Yeah, Tomba had a similar he’ll-bent style. Exciting to watch.

[@stephanknubel5438]

Wow…what a treasure to have this on VHS. What a run!!! I was only a small child in ‘76 so I don’t remember. I have been a ski racing fan since I was small. I would watch races with my dad, who ended up in Salt Lake City from the Bernner Oberland in Switzerland and was the greatest skier to ever ski in Utah in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and even in 2018 until just before his untimely diagnosis of Glioblastoma (brain cancer) and subsequent passing a few months later at age 78. He would be so proud of our Swiss skiers this past Olympics…Thanks so much for sharing!!

[@brianthesnail3815]

I remember watching it live. They don't make sportsmen like that anymore. Its all calculated scientific, playing the percentages, sports psychology, image management, Twitter nonsense now. That run by Franz was blood and guts, come first or die but a decent bloke and not a prima donna off the piste. Its the sort of mindset that James Hunt had in motor racing. Marvellous.

[@rickcastellione2267]

I couldn't agree more, especially your reference to twitter as 'nonsense'.

[@SunnnyDay]

EPIC ! I believe I saw this live. At the time and especially now, the run looks like a controlled fall, always bordering on the edge of complete chaos. Props to the announcers, great call ! and love the way the screen was un cluttered by chyrons, banners and logos.

[@robiniapseudoacacia]

That's the most exciting sporting achievement I have seen. Really seat of the pants stuff. Incredible entertainment.

[@hoganfan924]

I watched it on TV as an 11 year old, and I still get goose bumps watching it 46 years later. The call from Beattie and Gifford was as exciting as his run. You can tell from the excitement in Beattie's voice that we were watching something extremely special.

[@barrysmith8920]

Thank you so much for this Darren. I remember this clear as day. As a kid skiing, The Downhill has always been my favorite. And Klammer’s the greatest!

[@sprintn918]

What's amazing is how much rougher the snow surface is with all the small washboards and bumps...relative with todays courses that are ultra smooth.

[@DarrenGlen]

Thats because he was the last down and it had been chopped to all hell by the others... You can see by the shadows it was towards the end of the day too it was melting

[@sprintn918]

@@DarrenGlen I'm not talking about all the chatter marks and ruts starting to form in the turns or long arcs. Even in the straights and flats, you can see all the way across the run, the rough and constantly rolling surface, On the straights while he is in the tuck, his legs constantly absorbing all the small rolling undulations. You don't see that these days on these perfectly planed courses. Sure...you see the skis chattering in the turns but you don't see the constant undulations that you see here.

[@DarrenGlen]

@@sprintn918 remember it was pre-snow making! youre 100% right. Those were the days when real men took on the mountain straight down thru whatever crap was there.

[@sprintn918]

@@DarrenGlen Yes... just grooming and not where we are today with it! I remember watching this... live I think ...with my father when was about 11 years old. In an old album my mom put together, I still have the full page photo from I think Sports Illustrated, of Franz in the air over the bump at :44 in the video. I cut that page out and had it up on the wall in my bedroom as a kid. It was one of the most amazing things in skiing that i had ever seen! This is the run that got me into Ski racing! Well it...and the battles between Ingamar Stenmark and Phil Mahre. Thank you for finding and posting!

[@happydog4862]

I was a twinkle in my dad's eye in 1976. Here I am watching this in 2022, heart in my mouth.

[@Zx14rRider67]

An indelible memory watching with family as kid.

[@ThomasistheTwin]

That was the best downhill I’ve ever seen. That course was tore apart and he still was first.

[@glennhubbard5008]

The thrill of victory. The agony of defeat. Total all-time legend.

[@dhfenske]

This is gold! Thank you. I've remembered this for the whole rest of my life since it happened when I was twelve. I sometimes use this story as an analogy of living on the edge.

[@andrewlaitres9080]

I watched this live on TV in '76. I was 14 and it was the most amazing thing I ever saw. It made me want to be a downhill skier. Later that year I broke my arm skiing. Ironically, I was skiing slowly in sticky snow when I broke it after a few weeks of skiing very fast. Thus ended my downhill career ;-)

[@pianissimoforte4576]

One of the most iconic events in Olympic history. Watched it as it happened, Still a thrill!....