Killy << KEE lee, >> Jean-Claude (1943-…), was one of the greatest skiers of the 1900’s. Killy, a Frenchman, became famous for his daring but graceful style. At the 1968 Winter Olympic Games in Grenoble, France, Killy became a triple champion, winning all three skiing titles—downhill, slalom, and giant slalom. The only other skier ever to have accomplished the feat was Toni Sailer of Austria, at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Killy was born on Aug. 30, 1943, in St. Cloud, near Paris, France. In 1945, he moved with his family to the ski resort town of Val d’Isere in the French Alps. There, his family opened a ski shop and operated a hotel. Killy learned to ski as a child. He dropped out of school at the age of 15 and was named to the French national ski team in 1960. In 1961, Killy won gold medals in the slalom, giant slalom, and combined at the French junior championships. He won the downhill and combined events at the 1966 World Championships, and in 1967 and 1968, he won the overall World Cup skiing titles.
After the 1968 Olympics, Killy left skiing and turned to other activities. He became involved in automobile racing for several years and signed endorsement deals with a number of major companies. He also acted in movies and founded a successful clothing line. Killy returned to sking in 1973. He joined the United States professional circuit that year and won the season title. He also served on the International Olympic Committee from 1995 to 2014 and helped organize the 1992 Winter Olympic Games in Albertville, France.
