Franco Bieler

Franco Bieler ( born December 6, 1950 in Gressoney -Saint -Jean ) is an Italian former alpine skier, who specialized in the disciplines of giant slalom and slalom. He is the older brother of skier Wanda Bieler.

Biography

Earlier in his career Bieler was a downhill specialist. In the 1973/74 season of the European Cup, he finished third in the downhill standings. The first points in a World Cup race he won on February 3, 1973 as a tenth of the departure from St. Anton am Arlberg. A week later, Bieler improved in St. Moritz in the same discipline to fifth place. In the two following winters he never was able to classify in the points, so he gradually turned to the technical disciplines.

In the World Cup season 1975/1976 Bieler was back to success. Eight times he went into the top ten, where he celebrated his only victory in the Giant Slalom in Morzine on 18 January 1976. At the Olympic Winter Games in 1976 he drove in the giant slalom to eighth place, while after the fourth best time he retired in the slalom in the first run.

Similarly successful was the 1976/ 1977. Bieler drove in eleven World Cup races in the top ten, including 've ever been a second and a third place in the slalom. In addition, he chose the Italian slalom championship. On the other hand came Bieler in the season 1977/1978 does not have a ninth place out, which is why he resigned from professional racing at the end of winter.

Achievements

Olympic games

• Innsbruck 1976: 8 Giant Slalom

World Cup

• 1975/76 season: 7 giant slalom standings, 8 slalom rating
• 1976/ 77: 6 slalom rating
• 3 podiums, including one victory:

Others

• European Cup 1973/ 74: 3rd exit summary
• 1 Italian champion title: Slalom 1977