Only the dashing skill of the Scandinavians, Swiss and Austrians in the skiing events kept Russia's team lead as low as it was. More than any other single competitor, Austria's Anton ("Toni") Sailer held back the new giants of winter sport. Cortina's only three-time gold-medal winner (giant slalom, slalom and downhill), handsome Toni Sailer was the undisputed hero of the Winter Olympics. Thousands of his countrymen crossed the border to watch him schuss to victory, his well-known white cap topped with streamers, his bright white smile gleaming under dark goggles. His quick reactions...
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