In the 1980s the Whistler Question began posing a question to three to six people and publishing their responses under “Whistler’s Answers” (not to be confused with the Whistler Answer). Each week, we’ll be sharing one question and the answers given back in 1984. Please note, all names/answers/occupations/neighbourhoods represent information given to the Question at the time of publishing and do not necessarily reflect the person today.
Some context for this week’s question: Alpine skiing was (and still is) closely followed by many people around Whistler, especially during the 1970s and 1980s, and those asked usually had opinions about who would win World Cup races. On March 11, 1984, the results of the men’s downhill held on Whistler Mountain were: 1 = Bill Johnson (USA); 2 = Helmut Höflehner (Austria); 3 = Pirmin Zurbriggen (Switzerland).
Question: Who do you think will win the Molson World Downhill on Sunday?
Val Wohlgemuth – Housewife – Vancouver
I hope that either Franz Klammer or Steve Podborski will win the race. I’m from Austria and that’s why I want Franz to win and I’m also Canadian. The new course is just tremendous and the conditions are excellent for the race.
Scott Hawkins – Restaurant Manager – Whitby Island, Washington
Being from the U.S. I guess we’ll have to go with Bill Johnson. After all he’s hot. He’s won at Aspen and he’s also won the Olympic gold medal. Yeah, Johnson’s the one.
Norm Johnson – Retired – Seattle
Podborski will win. After all, he’s the local favourite isn’t he? I think Bill Johnson got lucky. I’m from Seattle but I think Peter Mueller should have won that Olympic race. If Mueller hadn’t hit that bump, he would have won. My personal favourite is Franz Klammer. He proved it all by winning the Hahnenkamm at Kitzbuhel earlier this year.
WHISTORICAL 