Olympic medalist Franz Gabl barreled down the slopes and through life

Franz Gabl was full of energy and good humor, attributes that helped him spread his love of skiing throughout Whatcom County and beyond.

A hero in his homeland for winning Austria's first Olympic medal in alpine skiing, he leaves behind a local legacy of promoting skiing at Mount Baker, operating a popular sports shop in downtown Bellingham, and helping to jumpstart the inaugural Ski to Sea race in 1973.