Deceased at 91

Austria’s skiing legend Karl “Charly” Kahr is dead

Austria's ski family mourns the death of legendary coach Charly Kahr. Annemarie Moser-Pröll and Franz Klammer also raced to great successes under the Schladming native.

He earned the nickname "Downhill Charly" thanks to the heroic deeds of Franz Klammer and Leonhard Stock at the 1976 and 1980 Winter Olympics. During this time, Charly Kahr was first coach of Austria's downhill skiers and then head coach of the entire red-white-red men's team. It was the high point of his dazzling and successful coaching career, which lasted until 1985.

The Schladminger started out with his own racing ambitions. However, he put these aside as early as 1957 at the age of 25 after a series of injuries. Accordingly, Kahr began his career as a coach at an early stage. First at home in Styria and in Germany, then as a youth coach in the Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV). In 1967, he rose to become head women's coach and also had the then very young Annemarie Moser-Pröll under his wing. "As a young athlete, it was important to have someone who could guide and inspire you. And Charly could do that," recalls Moser-Pröll. From 1970 to 1972, Kahr worked for the English women's team before Toni Sailer brought him back to Austria. "I was a coach with heart and soul," Kahr said during his 90th birthday celebrations.

Kahr passed away on Saturday at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife Gerlinde and two daughters.