Super Giant Slalom Skiing - History

History

Super G was first run at the World Cup level in December 1982 at Val-d'Isère, France; the winner was Peter Müller of Switzerland. Four seasons later, it was added to the World Championships, held at Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in February 1987. Swiss stars Pirmin Zurbriggen and Maria Walliser won gold medals to become the first world champions in the event.

Super giant slalom made its Olympic debut in 1988 in Calgary, where Franck Piccard of France and Sigrid Wolf of Austria took gold at Nakiska.

Hermann Maier of Austria is widely regarded as the greatest super G skier to date, with 24 World Cup victories, five World Cup titles, a World Championship, and an Olympic gold medal. His proficiency in super G is attributed to his thorough course inspection and his aggressive course tactics whereby he opted for the most direct and dangerous line down the hill.

Another notable specialist is Kjetil André Aamodt of Norway, a triple gold medalist in Olympic super G races, winning in 1992, 2002, and 2006.

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