“Father of Success” - Mourning for Ski Jumping Pioneer Baldur Preiml

Baldur Preiml, the ski jumping pioneer, passed away on Monday at the age of 85. He is regarded as the 'Father of the Austrian Ski Jumping Miracle.' After winning a bronze medal at the 1968 Olympics in Grenoble as an athlete, he made a name for himself as a coach in the 1970s.

As a coach, he successfully led the ÖSV eagles, including Toni Innauer and Karl Schnabl, to victories with innovative training methods. Preiml turned everything upside down: equipment, training, nutrition, and even aerodynamic jump suits.

From 1987 to 1991, he served as the head of the sports department in the Federal Ministry for Education, Art and Sport and continued to be sought after as a speaker on healthy living and movement for many years afterward. He followed ski jumping until the end of his days. In one interview, he remarked, "Flying is related to being free, and it is a fundamental human desire to be free." He added, "When you're so close to the sport, as I was, you fly along and feel liberated."