Jean Vuarnet (born January 18, 1933 in Le Bardo, Tunisia) is a former ski racer from France.
[edit] Career
The high point of his career came in the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, where he won the gold medal in the downhill.[1] Previously, he had won bronze in the same event at the 1958 World Ski Championships in Bad Gastein.[2] After he had retired from active competition, Vuarnet became vice-president of the French skiing association from 1962 to 1971.
[edit] Business
In the early sixties Jean Vuarnet was asked by his hometown of Morzine to help develop the skiing-area around the town. He did that by creating the purposebuild resort of Avoriaz together with a group of young architects. Around Avoriaz he developed a new area for alpine skiing later linked to other areas in France and Switzerland known as The Portes du Soleil. Jean Vurarnet's has given name to the exclusive Vuarnet sunglasses.
[edit] Personal life
In 1958, he married Edith Bonlieu, three-time French women's ski champion. His wife Édith and his youngest son Patrick were among the members of the Order of the Solar Temple cult who committed suicide in 1994.[3]
[edit] References
Jean Vuarnet at the International Ski Federation
| Persondata |
| Name |
Vuarnet, Jean |
| Alternative names |
|
| Short description |
Alpine skier |
| Date of birth |
January 18, 1933 |
| Place of birth |
|
| Date of death |
|
| Place of death |
|
France
