Matthias Zdarsky, Ski Pioneer. Scarce. CoA

Matthias Zdarsky, card with autograph. Selfmade with magazine-snippet on cardboard, signed by Matthias Zdarsky.

3,5 x 5,5 inches. (9 x 14 cm). Fine condition.

The Autograph comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Mathias Zdarsky (1856 -1940) was an early Ski Pioneer and is considered one of the founders of modern Alpine skiing technique. He was probably Austria’s first ski instructor. He was also a teacher, painter and sculptor.

Inspired by Norway’s Fridtjof Nansen’s 1888 crossing of Greenland, he adapted skis for use on alpine terrain. In 1890 he developed a steel binding (the “Lilienfelder Stahlsohlenbindung”), which made steep mountain slopes and gate runs possible.

In January 1905, Zdarsky demonstrated the first steep downhill descent. To show the superiority of his ski technology, he skied the “Breite Ries” at Schneeberg, Austria. On 19 March 1905 he organized the first alpine ski race (on the Muckenkogel via Lilienfeld, Austria).

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