Stein Eriksen, the first Norwegian Olympic Alpine skiing champion, died at age 88 at his home in Park City, Utah, on Sunday, according to Deer Valley Resort, where he served as director of skiing for more than 35 years.
Eriksen won the Oslo 1952 Olympic giant slalom and took silver in the slalom for the most successful nation in Winter Olympic history across all sports.
“To be an Olympic and World champion has been a trademark for me,” Eriksen said, according to the Salt Lake Tribune in 2009. “But the appreciation that the American people have for champions has enhanced that value in a way that made it possible for me to enjoy life without too much effort.