Patrick Russel
Patrick Russell ( born December 22, 1946) is a French former alpine skier. He was in the late 1960s and early 1970s, one of the dominating slalom and giant slalom skier in the ski world cup. He won twice in these disciplines, the overall World Cup in 1970 and second in the overall standings.
Biography
First World Cup successes celebrated Russel with two victories in the season 1968. Following the resignation of Jean -Claude Killy after the Olympic Winter Games in 1968, he rose to the new idol of the French national ski team. With a modernized technology, he dominated the World Cup race in the slalom and giant slalom. Within three years, he won 13 races, with another twelve races he reached a place on the podium. In the season 1969/70 he won like last year, the World Cup in slalom and missed winning the overall World Cup just three points. In the 1970/71 season, he secured the World Cup giant slalom.
The major championships Russell won only at the World Ski Championships in 1970 two silver medals in slalom and in the combination. An Olympic success was denied him. Three weeks before the 1972 Winter Olympics he raced at the World Cup giant slalom in Berchtesgaden in the finish area to the straw bale and broke his lower leg.
After his recovery he returned quite short in the French national ski team back, but was soon expelled from the team, along with other top skaters from coach George Joubert.
Russel was after the end of his sporting career required by the operating company of the newly built ski resort Les Arcs as a promoter and technical consultant.
Achievements
World Cup
- Season 1968: 9th overall World Cup, 3rd World Cup slalom
- Season 1968/1969: 8th overall World Cup, 1st slalom World Cup
- Season 1969/1970: 2nd overall World Cup, 1 World Cup Slalom, Giant Slalom World Cup 2
- Season 1970/1971: 3 Overall World Cup, 1 giant slalom World Cup, 4th slalom World Cup
French Championships
- French Champion in slalom and giant slalom in 1971