The Italian ski great Roland Thöni died surprisingly.
Once he mixed up the ski circus - now he suffered a cerebral haemorrhage.
Bolzano - mourning among the Italian winter sports fans: The Italian ski racer Roland Thöni died unexpectedly at the age of 70.
He was admitted to the Bolzano hospital with a cerebral haemorrhage, and two days later he died of the consequences.
Thöni had its most successful period in the 1970s.
The slalom specialist achieved a special feat together with his cousin Gustav: At the 1972 Olympic Games in Sapporo, both of them made it onto the podium, Roland took bronze, Gustav silver.
Ski great Roland Thöni died surprisingly - two World Cup victories for Italy
Shortly thereafter, Roland Thöni won two more World Cup slaloms in Madonna di Campiglio and Pra-Loup, before ending his career in 1976 at the age of only 26.
At that time he was one of the best slalom riders in the world.
After that he made a name for himself as a trainer for skiing - he coached the Italian ski icon Alberto Tomba.
Until his death, he ran his own ski business in his home in Val Venosta and was also a hunter and shepherd.
A French snowboarder recently died in an avalanche.
(epp)