Piero GROS

Piero Gros started his World Cup career in 1972, winning the first two races (slalom and giant slalom) in which he participated and, thus, becoming the youngest male winner of a World Cup at only 18. In the 1973-74 season, he won the overall World Cup. In the same year, he won a bronze medal at the World Championships in the giant slalom. At the 1976 Winter Olympics he won gold in slalom and at the 1978 World Championships added a silver medal in the same event. During his career he won a total of 12 World Cup races (7 giant slalom, 5 slalom) in only three seasons. At the Italian Championships he had 16 podiums: one in downhill, five in giant slalom, seven in slalom and three in combined, including 10 titles between 1974-82. In his later years, he always played second fiddle to the almost unbeatable Swede Ingemar Stenmark. Gros retired in 1982, at only 27.

Gros later opened a sports shop and was mayor of his native town of Sauze d'Oulx from 1985-90. He also worked as a commentator for skiing events, first for Telecapodistria station, later for the RAI network and for the Italian-speaking Swiss television. He also promoted skiing and worked as a ski instructor. At the 1997 World Championships in Sestriere, Gros held several executive positions. Gros was also involved in the organization of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games as head of the volunteers and was appointed "deputy mayor" of the Olympic Village in Sestriere. In the Opening Ceremony, he carried the torch in the stadium for a bit before delivering it to Deborah Compagnoni.