'Crazy Canucks' return to Switzerland for 50th anniversary of World Cup ski race

Four young skiers made their names and earned the nickname "Crazy Canucks" flying down the most challenging hills in spectacular style, taking the European ski scene by storm in the 1970s.

Now the three remainingCanucks and other Canadian alpine ski legends have returned to one of the legendary European race courses to celebrate the 50th anniversary of World Cupski racing.

From 1975 to 1984, the national men's alpine ski team's Dave Irwin, Ken Read, Dave Murray and Steve Podborskiwere dubbed the "Crazy Canucks" as they challenged European dominance in the sport.

The name came from a headline in a European newspaper and it stuck.

From 1978 to 1984,the foursome earned 107 Top 10 World Cup finishes, and were in the top three 39 times.

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"They thought it would be a good idea to bring us all back," said Podborski, speaking to theCalgary Eyeopeneron Thursday from Wengen, Switzerland, near theLauberhorn course.

"Jungle Jim" Hunterregarded by many as the original CrazyCanuck, after representing Canadaat twoWinter Games in 1972 and 1976 and winning a bronze at the 1972 World Championship is among the other Canadian skiers at their side in Switzerland.

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Within a year of competing on the World Cup circuit, the Crazy Canucks were beating the Swiss and Austrians at their own game and making headlines.

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"We had four guys in the top 10, which turned the world upside down for alpine skiing. Canadians were similar to the Jamaican bobsledders in context, and to having us on the podium was a bit of a shocker and in short order we became the Crazy Canucks," said Podborski,who can see theLauberhorncoursefrom his hotel window.

"We would look at downhill with a new eye. We hadn't been watching it our whole life so the fresh look made us, once in a while, make a mistake and have a big crash, but in other cases, once in a while, we would end up winning."

Skiers remain close

Dave Murray passed away in 1990but Podborski says he still keeps in touch with the rest of the group and describes their relationship as "remarkable closeness."

"In a small way, the Crazy Canucks was one of the little pebbles that started a big landslide in terms of the sport both in Europe and in Canada," he said.

"It's been really fun hanging out with the guys here in Wengen and we know each other really well. We lived together eight months a year for a good five to ten years and you get to know someone over that time."

The 2017 FIS World Cup ski runs from Jan. 13 to 15.

With files from the Calgary Eyeopener