Interview with skiing legend Bernhard Russi

Bernhard Russi is a skiing legend. As a ski racer and downhill specialist, he won gold three times and silver twice at the World Championships and Winter Olympics. He also made a name for himself as a piste architect and TV expert in alpine skiing. Bernhard Russi lives in Andermatt, where he was born.

People say you set yourself high standards. Is that the reason for your success?

I have always tested the limits and wanted to know how far I can go until it no longer works. I have to go to the limits and seek them out. That's the essence of life for me. But it also takes talent, which is very broad. My goals were to ski in the snow and ski fast. And those were the right dreams because I had the right relationship with the element of snow. If the dream had been to become a fast swimmer, I probably wouldn't have been successful.

Does success make you happy?

You would have to say that health is success. But that's not fair. Yes, in certain moments you are happy. Success brings satisfaction. But there are moments when you are much happier. The birth of your own children, for example.

You are very active. Are there also quiet moments?

That does indeed exist. And it has a lot to do with nature. What kind of sound and taste does snow have? I claim that snow has a taste. I can taste it too. We can learn what silence sounds like up here. I have also found strength and the ability to concentrate in nature.

What do you value most about yourself?

I think it has done me good in life that I am very adaptable. And that I approach everything positively, try everything and want to experience it. I see the glass half full and not the glass half empty.

Has your appetite for risk changed with age?

My philosophy is: “You must never stop pushing the boundaries in life.” The limits shift by themselves. Today the limit is here and tomorrow it will be somewhere else. If I think in advance about what I can still achieve, then I've already lost. I openly admit that I still haven't taken off my race number. But you shouldn't heroize the whole competitive sport. That it's the only thing. One of my great hobbies is playing the piano. I've been practicing a piece by Beethoven for four years that I still can't play.

How do you deal with challenges?

The recipe starts with success. You have to be aware at the moment of success that failure is just around the corner. Top-class sport is a good school in this respect. I had to ride five races to win one. When you're at the bottom of the wave, you should remember the highlights.

Do you have a wish for Switzerland in 20 years' time?

When looking forward, it is also important to look back. We should be aware that happiness is not just there. Everyone should be prepared to tackle their own area and do their bit.

Arrival: with the Treno Gottardo to Göschenen, with the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway to Andermatt