29-31 January 1970, Madonna di Campiglio (world cup)
The era of Gustav Thoeni — who would go on to win four overall World Cup titles, 24 World Cup races, an Olympic gold medal at Sapporo 1972 and four World Championship gold medals — has well and truly begun. The champion from Trafoi has already won the slalom in Val d’Isère, and in Madonna di Campiglio that year the programme features two giant slaloms and one slalom. The major absentee is Karl Schranz.
Gustav dominates both giant slaloms, raced between Spinale and Pancugolo, although not without controversy. During the first race, the gate judge at gate 24 claims that the Italian has missed a gate. Thoeni is ultimately saved from disqualification by the testimony of Austria’s Heini Messner and Italy’s Felix de Nicolò.
France strikes back in the slalom, where Henri Brechu beats Thoeni to victory, denying the Italian champion a historic clean sweep of all three races.
Results:
Giant Slalom
1. Gustav Thoeni (ITA)
Dumeng Giovanoli (SUI)
ean Noel Augert (FRA)
Giant Slalom
1. Gustav Thoeni (ITA)
Edmund Bruggmann (SUI)
3. Jean Noel Augert (FRA)
Slalom
1. Henri Brechu (FRA)
2. Gustav Thoeni (ITA)
3. Dumeng Giovanoli (SUI)
Combined
1. Gustav Thoeni (ITA)
2. Werner Bleiner (AUT)
3. Jakob Tischauser (SUI)
Ranking by Nations:
1. Italy A
2. France A
3. Austria B
