RIP Bill Johnson

[firerescuefin]

Dude was epic....paid a high price for success.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2016/01/22/former-olympic-downhill-champ-bill-johnson-dies-at-age-of-55/79158894/

"I never even thought about the risks," he said in the Oregonian interview. "You can't if you want to be great." So true. RIP

[PFSLABD]

Thanks for the memories. I had forgotten about him.

[tiretrax]

Very sad. He was fun to watch - either on the podium or in the catch nets and always a colorful interview. I am surprised there was no mention of his childhood. If I recall, he was sent by a juvy judge to a program in Idaho and go into skiing. RIP.

[Climb01742]

To be a great downhiller, you can't be 'normal'. Fear and risk just can't be in your genes. He gave us some epic runs. Sadly, what works on a mountain often doesn't work in life.

[PaulE]

His life had more than its share of highs and lows. Surprised the obit didn't mention he also lost a 13 month old son who drowned in a hot tub in 1992.

[wpod]

Sad indeed. RIP

[Ken Robb]

Franz Klammer in an interview dismissed Johnson as a "nosepicker" with no real talent. I was in Aspen when he won the championship and I bought/still have a tee-shirt with Bill's picture and "World Champion Nose-Picker". I was lucky I bought mine as soon as I saw it because they got pulled from the market rather quickly. I guess some folks have no sense of irony. :-)

[ORMojo]

Another story, from the local paper, that mostly does not overlap with the story the OP linked. It talks more about his last years, including (difficult to view) photos of Johnson 2 years ago.

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2016/01/canzano_bill_johnson_--_olympi.html

[Tony T]

His life had more than its share of highs and lows. Surprised the obit didn't mention he also lost a 13 month old son who drowned in a hot tub in 1992.

NYT (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/23/sports/skiing/bill-johnson-us-olympic-downhill-skiing-champion-dies-at-55.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=mini-moth&region=top-stories-below&WT.nav=top-stories-below) did mention this.

[m_sasso]

Worked the course at Whistler after the Olympics and knew he was going to win here before the race even got started. He held his position longer and tighter than anyone in practice and during his runs. His confidence in himself allowed him to do things others didn't have the conviction to try.
My, my, hey, hey!

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2010/02/winter_olympics_hero_bill_john.html

[wasfast]

I noticed in the OregonLive article that his mother is named DB Johnson-Cooper. Perhaps that's a inside joke given the notoriety of DB Cooper in the PNW. But his passing is very sad. RIP.