Many a great sportsman is turned into a super-hero by the media – only a few become legends.

To become a legend it takes not only time and space but also personality and charisma.

One of the most outstanding sportsmen is Toni Sailer, Kitzbühl's Black Lightning. He was the first skier to win all three gold medals at the 1956 Winter Olympic Games at Cortina d'Ampezzo.

His career in sport ran parallel to Austria's recovery after World War II. The State Treaty of 1955 re-established Austria as a sovereign nation while the gold medals gave the country a national hero. In 1958 he won three world titles at Bad Gastein, and although his career spanned only 7 years, it was remarkable. He turned to show business afterwards and became a filmstar, also working in the theatre. Only much later did he return to skiing, subsequently becoming Technical Director of the Austrian Ski Federation, and has now headed the Alpine Committee of the International Skiing Organisation for more than a decade. As for so many Austrians, Toni Sailer was Sigi Bergman's and Lutz Maurer's idol during their youth. Both journalists have covered his career for more than four decades, establishing the close ties which ultimately made this authorised biography possible.

About the author:

Sigi Bergmann was born in Vorau, Austria in 1938. For the past 20 years he has counted amongst the most renowned sport journalists. He studied history and voice, and as a student was a boxer. He was a long-time sportcaster for the ORF (Austrian Broadcasting Corporation) and has also covered international sporting events for a private broadcaster, as well as covering 16 Olympic Games. He is the recipient of many journalistic awards.