Malcolm Milne
Encyclopedia
Malcolm Milne is a former Australian Olympic skier.
In 1968, at the age of 19, Malcolm competed in his first Olympics
at Grenoble
, France. In an era dominated by Jean-Claude Killy
, Malcolm finished twenty-fourth of eighty-six starters, with a time only 5.51 seconds behind Killy. This was by far the best Australian skiing result in any Games to that point.
In December 1969, Malcolm Milne became the first Australian skier
to win a World Cup
victory when he won the downhill in Val-d'Isère. Three months later, he captured the bronze medal at Gröden-Val Gardena
. His World Cup victory at Val d'Isère also made him the first non-European to win a men's World Cup downhill event, a feat that is often attributed by Canadians to Ken Read for his victory on the same course in 1975.
Milne later joined a French team in Europe, and in the winter of 1971-72 won a World Cup race at Val-d'Isère, France, then won a United States title race at Bear Valley, California
; he also finished third in a World Championships. He was expected to do well at the Olympics at Sapporo, Japan, in 1972, but suffered a cartilage injury to his left knee which threatened to cause him to withdraw. He didn’t withdraw, and recovered superbly from a near fall which, cost him any chance of a place. He called the race "my worst ever", but team manager Dick Watson said that
After Sapporo, he turned professional for two years, joining a troupe formed by Jean-Claude Killy, specialising in head-to-head parallel-course racing. He retired, and later noted
Prior to the Sydney Olympics of 2000, Milne was honored by carrying the Olympic torch through the town of Myrtleford where he lives with his wife Sherry and family. In 2000, he received the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to skiing. He was nominated in the first lot of inductees at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
In 2004 Ski & Snowboard Australia elected Milne a life member for the contribution he has made to the sport by becoming the first World Cup medal winner in Australian winter sports history, and the subsequent impact his performances have had on future athletes.
His brother Ross Milne
died during training for the 1964 Winter Olympics
. The IOC
said that he "caught an edge" and suggested that inexperience played a role. Australian manager John Wagner blamed overcrowding on the slope. Malcolm said that attempts by the IOC to blame Ross motivated him to excel in his sport:
In 1968, at the age of 19, Malcolm competed in his first Olympics
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
at Grenoble
Grenoble
Grenoble is a city in southeastern France, at the foot of the French Alps where the river Drac joins the Isère. Located in the Rhône-Alpes region, Grenoble is the capital of the department of Isère...
, France. In an era dominated by Jean-Claude Killy
Jean-Claude Killy
Jean-Claude Killy was an alpine ski racer, who dominated the sport in the late 1960s. He was a triple Olympic champion, winning the three alpine events at the 1968 Winter Olympics, becoming the most successful athlete there...
, Malcolm finished twenty-fourth of eighty-six starters, with a time only 5.51 seconds behind Killy. This was by far the best Australian skiing result in any Games to that point.
In December 1969, Malcolm Milne became the first Australian skier
Skiing in Australia
Skiing in Australia takes place in the high country of the states of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, as well as in the Australian Capital Territory, during the Southern Hemisphere winter....
to win a World Cup
Alpine skiing World Cup
The FIS Alpine Ski World Cup is the top international circuit of alpine skiing competitions, launched in 1966 by a group of ski racing friends and experts which included French journalist Serge Lang and the alpine ski team directors from France and the USA...
victory when he won the downhill in Val-d'Isère. Three months later, he captured the bronze medal at Gröden-Val Gardena
Gröden-Val Gardena
Val Gardena is a valley in the Dolomites of northern Italy. It is best known as a skiing, rock climbing, and woodcarving area.-Geography:The valley's main river is the Derjon...
. His World Cup victory at Val d'Isère also made him the first non-European to win a men's World Cup downhill event, a feat that is often attributed by Canadians to Ken Read for his victory on the same course in 1975.
Milne later joined a French team in Europe, and in the winter of 1971-72 won a World Cup race at Val-d'Isère, France, then won a United States title race at Bear Valley, California
Bear Valley, California
Bear Valley is a census-designated place in Alpine County, California. The population was 121 at the 2010 census, down from 133 at the 2000 census. The town is accessible by State Route 4. Bear Valley is within the Stanislaus National Forest...
; he also finished third in a World Championships. He was expected to do well at the Olympics at Sapporo, Japan, in 1972, but suffered a cartilage injury to his left knee which threatened to cause him to withdraw. He didn’t withdraw, and recovered superbly from a near fall which, cost him any chance of a place. He called the race "my worst ever", but team manager Dick Watson said that
- Malcolm was very keyed up ... He made one mistake and in trying to correct his line nearly fell. In a remarkable recovery, he dragged his arm in the snow for at least 50 yards to recover his balance and in doing so lost over two seconds, which, of course, cost him the chance he had of a place.
After Sapporo, he turned professional for two years, joining a troupe formed by Jean-Claude Killy, specialising in head-to-head parallel-course racing. He retired, and later noted
- Someone once said to me that for us to beat the Europeans at winter sports was like Austria tackling us at Test cricket. I reckon it's an accurate judgement.
Prior to the Sydney Olympics of 2000, Milne was honored by carrying the Olympic torch through the town of Myrtleford where he lives with his wife Sherry and family. In 2000, he received the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to skiing. He was nominated in the first lot of inductees at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
In 2004 Ski & Snowboard Australia elected Milne a life member for the contribution he has made to the sport by becoming the first World Cup medal winner in Australian winter sports history, and the subsequent impact his performances have had on future athletes.
His brother Ross Milne
Ross Milne
Ross Milne was an Australian Olympic downhill skier who died when he struck a tree during a practice run three days before the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria....
died during training for the 1964 Winter Olympics
1964 Winter Olympics
The 1964 Winter Olympics, officially known as the IX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Innsbruck, Austria, from January 29 to February 9, 1964...
. The IOC
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
said that he "caught an edge" and suggested that inexperience played a role. Australian manager John Wagner blamed overcrowding on the slope. Malcolm said that attempts by the IOC to blame Ross motivated him to excel in his sport:
- What motivated me most was this suggestion from Europe that skiers from minor [winter sport] countries like Australia and New Zealand should maybe not be allowed to race on difficult courses ... that such accidents might not happen if skiers with less experience were barred from competition. I was only young at the time, but I knew very well that it was a cover-up kind of story. It made me want to prove that we were capable of racing downhill.