CATCHING UP
Beattie is flanked by men’s head coach Sasha Rearick and current team member Marco Sullivan in Kitzbuehel. Beattie has been to nearly every Hahnenkamm in the last 50 years.
The Man Behind the Medals
As head coach of the U.S. Ski Team from 1961-1969, Bob Beattie paved the way
for the current success of American ski racing BY BRIAN PINELLI
However, if it weren’t for Bob Beattie and his immeasurable contributions
and commitment to American ski racing in the late 50s and 60s, those
multiple medals in Vancouver and Whistler might not have been possible.
Beattie will forever be known as the first coach of the U.S. Ski Team to
lead American men to Olympic alpine medals after Billy Kidd and Jimmie
Heuga respectively won silver and bronze in 1964 at Innsbruck. At the time
Kidd and Heuga were both just 20.
Affectionately referred to as “The Coach” over the years, Beattie spoke
about the early days of the U.S. Ski Team during an interview in Kitzbue-
hel, Austria, in January.
“In 1962, I came to Kitzbuehel for the first time with Kidd, Heuga, and
Billy Marolt,” said Beattie while sitting in Kitzbuehel’s brand new, state-of-
the-art press center. “They were all 18 when we first came to Europe and we
had a great time. I’m 10 years older then they are so I’ll always remember
their ages.”
Beattie continued. “I’ve been here almost every year since then, it’s over
CONSIDERING THE BRILLIANT performances and record-break-ing, nation-leading medal haul by U.S. skiers last month in Vancouver, it’s
impossible not to feel a strong sense of pride and satisfaction as a fan of
American snow sports. The nordic combined team wowed everyone while
Bode inspired, Lindsey lived up to expectations, Julia jammed and Andrew
achieved — not to mention the amazing medals by freestyle and aerials
athletes. Feeding off the vibe, younger members of the team also exceeded
potential.
