Legendary Austrian opens the season in Bansko 2018

The tradition that one of the greatest skiers of all times to open the season in Bansko will continue this year.

Austrian Alpine skier Patrick Ortlieb, who is an Olympic and World Champion, will officially launch the 16th Winter Campaign in the Pirin Resort on December 15th.

51-year-old former phenomenal downhill skier returns to "Banderishka poliyana" after opening in 2009, when he was in Bansko for the first time.

He accepted the invitation to come again and will also bring a gift for the already-turned-museum of the skies "Wall of Glory" in the cult bar "Happy End".

In his glorious career, Ortlieb won the Olympic gold in 1992 at the Games in Albertville (France), where he triumphed in the downhill - his crowning discipline. Four years later, Ortleb also took the world title in Sierra Nevada (Spain). There he is also at the top in the downhill.

For the World Cup, where he debuted at 21, he has 4 wins and 20 podiums, and 60 times ranked in the top 10.

In 1994, Ortlieb wins the downhill of the legendary Austrian "Shtrayf." in Kitzbühel. He terminated his brilliant career in 1999 after an injury in training again at "Shtrayf." Subsequently, he enters politics and is elected a deputy from the extreme right National Party. To date, he is engaged in business and owns the 4-star Montana Hotel in the exclusive Alpine resort of Lech.

Fritz Schrobl, Mark Girardelli and Alberto Tomba are among the Olympic champions and mega stars of the white sport, who have opened the season in Bansko over the years.