Franz WENDE

An Sudeten German from Czechoslovakia, Franz Wende, sometimes known by his "Czechified" name František, was a successful ski jumper in the 1920s. After placing 10th at the first Winter Olympics in 1924, Wende was successful at the 1925 Nordic Skiing World Championships held in Janské Lázně (Czechoslovakia). Not attended by most of the Scandivians, Wende placed fourth in the nordic combined and won a bronze medal in the ski jump. Two years later, he medalled again at the World Championships. This time he won bronze in the combined, finishing third on an all-Czechoslovakian podium. Wende also won two Czechslovakian titles, as well as two Polish ones, and the ski hill his hometown Svoboda was named for him. Working as a skiing teacher in winter and tennis teacher in summer, Wende eventually settled in Germany, presumably as a result of the Beneš decrees.