Charly Kahr, a celebrated figure in the world of alpine skiing, has passed away at the age of 92. Known affectionately as “Downhill-Charly,” Kahr’s remarkable career as a coach left an indelible mark on the sport, guiding many Austrian skiers to victory at both the Olympics and World Championships during the 1970s and 1980s.
Kahr’s journey into coaching began after a premature end to his own skiing career at 25, due to injuries. Encouraged by a fellow skier to consider coaching, he embraced the role with enthusiasm. In the same year, Kahr began working with the Styrian Ski Youth, a position he held until 1963. His coaching career then took a significant turn as he joined the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV).
In the early 1970s, Kahr took a brief hiatus from Austria to coach the English women’s ski team in England. However, it wasn’t long before Toni Sailer, then head of racing at the ÖSV, recognized Kahr’s talent and brought him back in 1972 as a downhill coach. This marked the beginning of a golden era for Austrian skiing, with Kahr leading the downhill team to numerous successes and earning his place in the annals of coaching history.
Under Kahr’s guidance, Austrian skiers achieved remarkable success, including 7 Olympic medals and 13 World Championship medals. Prominent names such as Annemarie Moser-Pröll and Franz Klammer thrived under his coaching, alongside other medalists like Olga Pall and Christl Haas. His impact was profound, contributing to Austria’s dominance in alpine skiing during his tenure.
After retiring from competitive coaching in 1985, Kahr continued to contribute to his hometown of Schladming. Together with his wife Gerlinde, he ran the Planaistub’n and a ski rental shop with their daughter Daniela. His dedication to advancing Schladming and his involvement in the bids for two Ski World Championships were testaments to his enduring commitment to the sport.
Kahr’s exceptional contributions were recognized with numerous honors, including the Grand Golden Medal of Honor from the State of Styria and the Silver Medal of Honor from the Republic of Austria. In 2017, he was awarded the “Snow Crystal of Skiing” by the Austrian Ski Association. FIS extends its heartfelt condolences to Charly Kahr’s friends, family, and former colleagues, honoring a life devoted to the excellence of alpine skiing.