U.S. racer at finish, Sugarloaf, 1971

Contributed by Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Club through Ski Museum of Maine

Item 76172 enlarge zoom add to album

Team U.S. downhill skier number 21 is shown at the finish line in the 1971 World Cup races at Sugarloaf in Carabassett.

Downhill skiers wore tight-fitting suits so they would not have any extra wind resistance. Races were often won by 100ths of seconds and every little bit helped. The skier in this photograph cut up his race bib and sewed the numbers onto his downhill suit. The bibs were loose fitting and flapped around causing drag on the racer.

The following year the governing body of the World Cup, FIS, banned the practice of altering the bibs. The sponsors that had paid money to have their names or logos on the bibs and did not like losing the exposure. Later, tighter fitting stretch bibs were designed to solve the wind resistance problem.

Bob Beattie, ABC commentator, is seen to the right behind racer number 21.

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Title: U.S. racer at finish, Sugarloaf, 1971
Creation Date: 1971
Subject Date: 1971
Local Name: Sugarloaf
Town: Carrabassett Valley
County: Franklin
State: ME
Media: Black and White Photographic Image
Dimensions (cm): 23 x 20
Local Code: 2012.001.0004
Collection: Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Club
Object Type: Image

For more information about this item, contact:

Ski Museum of Maine
256 Main Street, PO Box 359, Kingfield, ME 04947
(207) 265-2023
http://www.skimuseumofmaine.org

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