Swiss phenomenon Pirmin Zurbriggen made history in Aspen in 1987, winning both the men’s downhill and the giant slalom. His run on the downhill was aggressive and fast, despite sloppy conditions on a warm, sunny spring day. He was followed in second and third places by Swiss teammates Daniel Mahrer and Karl Alpiger. Already the overall winner for the World Cup series, Zurbriggen cinched the downhill title in Aspen as well.

In the GS, Zurbriggen showed he was at the top of his game, winning the race by almost a one-second margin ahead of Italy’s Richard Pramatton. Zurbriggen’s teammate, Alpiger, called him the “best skier in the world” after his coup in Aspen. Responded Zurbriggen, “I’d like to be remembered as one of the great racers of all time.”

The spectator turnout on Aspen Mountain was a record-breaker. Fans crowded the course in unprecedented numbers to watch the downhill and bask in spring sunshine. Estimates by Aspen Skiing Company put the gallery at more than 4,300.