Zdarsky, Mathias#

b. Kožichovice, Czech Republic (then Kozichowitz near Trebíc), Feb. 25, 1856, d. St. Poelten (Lower Austria), June 20, 1940, skiing pioneer. Developed the fundamentals of modern skiing technique; teacher, painter and sculptor. After many experiments Z. designed the "Lilienfeld binding" which enabled skiers to do downhill and slalom races. He developed the Lilienfeld Skiing Technique with the stem turn and organized the first slalom in the history of skiing on March 9, 1905, at the Muckenkogel near Lilienfeld (24 competitors). His book "Die Lilienfelder Skilauf-Technik" (1897) was published in 17 editions until 1925 and made his technique known to a broad public and further increased the popularity of skiing.

Literature#