Legendary Ski Coach Erich Sailer Dies at 99

Erich Sailer, the Austrian-born ski coach who profoundly shaped American ski racing, has died at the age of 99. He transformed Buck Hill in Minnesota from a modest slope into a renowned training ground that produced multiple Olympians, including Lindsey Vonn, who credited him for her success and called him the most influential coach in American skiing. Sailer pioneered summer training camps in Oregon, attracting hundreds of racers and setting new U.S. standards for ski development. Over his career, he coached an estimated 25,000 athletes and received numerous accolades, including induction into the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and several coach of the year awards. Known as the "Yoda of Ski Racing," Sailer was celebrated for his technical expertise, enthusiasm, and deep impact on both elite and aspiring skiers. His legacy endures through the athletes he mentored and the programs he established that remain vital to U.S. ski racing.