Erwin Stricker, Italian Ski Racer

Erwin Stricker, a former member of the Italian ski team known for his aggressive style and bigger than life persona, died September 28, 2010, in Bolzano, Italy, at the age of 60.

Born August 15, 1950, Stricker raced on the Italian team from 1969 to 1977 and was known as the ”Crazy Horse.” After retirement, he was successful in the ski business, as a former owner of Authier, in ski rentals, and in spearheading advances in aerodynamic ski poles, helmets and back spoilers. He was on a business trip in China when he came down with the first symptoms of the illness that led to his death.