Steve Podborski

Biography

Steve Podborski made his first World Cup appearance at the age of 17. One of the “Crazy Canucks”, the group of Canadian heroes known for their aggressive and reckless skiing style, he was the only member of the famous group to win an Olympic medal, taking bronze in the downhill at Lake Placid 1980 to become the first North American man to win an Olympic downhill medal.

In 1982, Podborski also became the first North American to win the World Cup season title in the downhill. He was later honoured as an Officer of the Order of Canada. Podborski retired from competition after the Sarajevo 1984 Olympic Winter Games at the age of 26. He had eight World Cup downhill wins to his name, including the notorious Hahnenkamm in Kitzbühel, Austria, where he won twice in 1981 and 1982.

He has worked as a commentator for television for many Winter Games, covering freestyle skiing at Salt Lake City 2002 and Turin 2006 and snowboard at Nagano 1998. Podborski can be found giving back to his sport and volunteering his time for many deserving causes. He was also assistant Chef de Mission for Canada at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. In February 2012 Podborski was officially named Chef de Mission for Canada at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.