GDR ski racer Eberhard Riedel dies

Eberhard Riedel is dead. The GDR's most successful alpine ski racer fell asleep peacefully on Easter Sunday after a "short, serious illness at the age of 88". This was announced by his son Peter Riedel in an obituary on his website.

Riedel made history in 1961 when he surprisingly won the giant slalom in Adelboden, Switzerland. In 1960 in Squaw Valley, 1964 in Innsbruck and 1968 in Grenoble, Riedel took part in the Winter Olympics. In France, he came 13th in the slalom, his best Olympic placing.

"He was not a loud person, not someone who pushed himself to the fore," wrote Riedel's son. "He worked, trained and fought - quietly, consistently and with a deep respect for his sport and his fellow competitors."

Trainer to Jens Weißflog

After he stopped receiving funding for alpine skiing, Riedel ended his career. After studying in Leipzig, he worked as a coach in soccer and ski jumping. In Oberwiesenthal, Riedel briefly coached the future Olympic champion Jens Weißflog.

"I was able to say goodbye to him in hospital and tell him many things that were still on my mind," wrote Peter Riedel. The funeral will take place with the family. It was Riedel's express wish to refrain from donating flowers and instead support the ASC Oberwiesenthal with a donation.