Jean-Luc Crétier
Encyclopedia
Jean-Luc Crétier is a retired alpine ski racer
.
He won the gold medal in the downhill at the 1998 Winter Olympics
in Nagano. He came in the long line of big surprises in the event, winning on a warm, sunny day. Crétier was third racer on the course and posted a respectable time. Next was Hermann Maier
, who dramatically flew off the course at the first jump, causing a substantial delay in the race. Another injured racer, Luca Cattaneo of Italy, had to be airlifted causing another delay. The course conditions softened, especially on the lower half, and Crétier's time became increasingly difficult to beat; a total of 15 racers in the 43-man field failed to finish.
It was the only victory of Crétier's international career; he did not win a single World Cup
race or World Championship race. His final World Cup race was ten months later, in December 1998
.
Alpine skiing
Alpine skiing is the sport of sliding down snow-covered hills on skis with fixed-heel bindings. Alpine skiing can be contrasted with skiing using free-heel bindings: Ski mountaineering and nordic skiing – such as cross-country; ski jumping; and Telemark. In competitive alpine skiing races four...
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He won the gold medal in the downhill at the 1998 Winter Olympics
Alpine skiing at the 1998 Winter Olympics
Alpine skiing at the 1998 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events held near Nagano, Japan. The speed events were held at Hakuba and the technical events at Shiga Kogen. There were a number of postponements due to weather; the races were run from February 10-21, 1998.-Downhill:The event was held...
in Nagano. He came in the long line of big surprises in the event, winning on a warm, sunny day. Crétier was third racer on the course and posted a respectable time. Next was Hermann Maier
Hermann Maier
Hermann Maier is an Austrian former alpine ski racer. Maier ranks among the finest alpine ski racers in history, having won four overall World Cup titles , two Olympic gold medals , and three World Championship titles...
, who dramatically flew off the course at the first jump, causing a substantial delay in the race. Another injured racer, Luca Cattaneo of Italy, had to be airlifted causing another delay. The course conditions softened, especially on the lower half, and Crétier's time became increasingly difficult to beat; a total of 15 racers in the 43-man field failed to finish.
It was the only victory of Crétier's international career; he did not win a single World Cup
Alpine skiing World Cup
The FIS Alpine Ski World Cup is the top international circuit of alpine skiing competitions, launched in 1966 by a group of ski racing friends and experts which included French journalist Serge Lang and the alpine ski team directors from France and the USA...
race or World Championship race. His final World Cup race was ten months later, in December 1998
1999 Alpine Skiing World Cup
The 33rd World Cup season began in October 1998 in Sölden, Austria, and concluded at the World Cup finals at Sierra Nevada, Spain, in March 1999. The overall winners were Lasse Kjus of Norway and Alexandra Meissnitzer of Austria....
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External links
- FIS-ski.com - race results - Jean-Luc Crétier
- FIS-ski.com - World Cup season standings - Jean-Luc Crétier - 1989-99
- Ski-db.com - results - Jean-Luc Crétier
- Olympic results