“Was my family”: Lindsey Vonn mourns the loss of deceased coaches

US Ski star Lindsey Vonn (40) has dropped a moving social media post. The 40-year-old reacted on Instagram to the death of her first coach, the Tyrolean ski pioneer Erich Sailer. Sailer, mentor and belonged to the family, was a sailer for the US Ski legend.

“Erich was more than my ski trainer. Erich was my family. Without him, I would undoubtedly not be the person and skiers who I am today,” she wrote. Sailer’s daughter Martina Sailer had previously announced her father’s death on Facebook ,.

“He did more for skiing than any other coach in America and maybe even worldwide. Even from the small but fine Buck Hill in Minnesota,” said Vonn.

The native of Tyrolean Erich Sailer had emigrated early to the United States, organizing there with his compatriots Pepi Gramshammer and Anderl Molterer Race camps for young drivers and young drivers. In one of such, the later overall World Cup winner and Olympic champion Vonn Vonn also learned to ski. Vonn’s father has also been trained by Sailer, who also belonged to the ski-hall-of fame in the USA.

“My father knew him for 62 years and he has been part of my life since I was born,” said Vonn, Sailer’s enormous influence. In summer, Vonn Sailer was able to meet again – a photo of this reunion she now shared on Instagram. “I am so grateful for that,” she writes and emphasizes how he always believed in her – “even now, at 40”.

This memory wants to take Vonn into her winter. The ski icon wants to attack again at the upcoming Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo and drive around a medal.

Vonn makes her late mentor a special promise: “I will try to make my last turns in ski racing for you … will try to give them a special meaning for you.”