Toni Sailer's funerals

Some have asked me what triggered that fixation of mine for flying private jets; I've said it before, it was out of frustration with crowded planes, continual delays, poor service and add-on luggage fees! These were the elements that turned the whole idea into reality, but the inspiration came when a group of Parkites traveled by plane, non-stop, from Salt Lake City to Salzburg in Austria to attend Toni Sailer's funerals at the end of August. These big ski industry personalities who live in town had chartered a corporate jet to accomplish the non-stop journey and, as they couldn't quite fill all 14 seats, began to sell the vacant space until the very last minute.

The starting price was huge but I waited long enough to get the next-to last seat for less than $500 while the first ones - I was told - went for more than $7,500! We left on Thursday, August 27 around 3 pm and landed in Austria the following day, just before noon. The group leaders had also chartered a small bus that took us to Kitzbuehel, 45 miles away, where everything took place. The funeral was on Saturday, August 29, and the weather was just terrible; it rained the whole time. There was a huge crowd attending with many personalities like Franz Klammer, Hermann Maier, Rosi Mittermaier and even Franz Beckenbauer the soccer champion. I stayed in town at a former Lange rep's place and we left early on Sunday back to Park City. I thought the trip in private jet was very cool.