Kathy Kreiner, Canadian skier

A Canadian Alpine Skiing Legend: Katharine Kreiner-Phillips

Born on May 4, 1957, Katharine "Kathy" Kreiner-Phillips stands as a towering figure in Canadian alpine skiing history, celebrated for her remarkable career as a World Cup racer and, most notably, her crowning achievement as an Olympic gold medalist. Her journey to the pinnacle of her sport is a testament to natural talent, relentless dedication, and a pioneering spirit.

The Unforgettable Gold in Innsbruck (1976)

Kreiner's name was etched into the annals of Olympic history at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. On a memorable Friday the 13th, in a dramatic giant slalom event, she delivered an performance that stunned the world and secured Canada's sole gold medal of those Games. As the very first competitor out of the starting gate, Kreiner laid down a time that would ultimately prove unbeatable. Her victory was particularly significant as it prevented the dominant German skier Rosi Mittermaier, who had already claimed two gold medals, from achieving a clean sweep of the women's three alpine events; Mittermaier would have to settle for the silver medal behind Kreiner. This unexpected triumph instantly made Kreiner a national hero and remains one of Canada's most cherished Olympic moments.

Early Life, Family Roots, and a Rapid Ascent

Katharine Kreiner's path to skiing stardom began in Timmins, Ontario, where she was born the youngest of six children to Margaret (Peggy) and Harold O. Kreiner (1920–1999). Her father, a respected physician in Timmins, was not only her earliest coach but also a significant figure in Canadian skiing, serving as the team doctor for the Canadian alpine ski team at the 1966 World Championships in Portillo, Chile, and for the Canadian Olympic team at the 1968 Winter Games in Grenoble, France. This familial connection to the sport undoubtedly nurtured Katharine's prodigious talent from a very young age. Her natural ability quickly became apparent, leading her to join the national 'B' team at just 13 years old. After a year, her exceptional progress saw her promoted to the elite 'A' team in the summer of 1971, marking the beginning of a stellar international career.

Kreiner wasted no time making her mark on the World Cup circuit. In mid-January 1972, she achieved her first top-ten result, finishing an impressive sixth in a downhill race at Grindelwald, Switzerland. Just three weeks later, she made her Olympic debut at the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan, where she placed a respectable 14th in the slalom event. Her journey continued to ascend, with her first World Cup podium appearance in 1973, in a giant slalom race at Alyeska in Alaska. The pinnacle of her World Cup individual performances came in 1974 when, at the tender age of 16, she claimed her first and only World Cup victory at Pfronten, West Germany.

A Distinguished Career and Lasting Legacy

Over her ten seasons competing on the demanding World Cup circuit, Katharine Kreiner compiled an impressive record of one victory, seven podium finishes, and a remarkable 47 top-ten results. Her Olympic gold medal in 1976 earned her the prestigious title of Canadian Female Athlete of the Year. Furthermore, from 1948 to 1980, the Winter Olympics also doubled as the World Championships for alpine skiing, a historical detail that means Kreiner's Olympic gold medal concurrently made her the World Champion in giant slalom. This dual title underscores the immense significance of her achievement.

The impact of her Olympic win was immediate and profound. At just 18 years old, Katharine Kreiner was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, an extraordinary testament to her impact on Canadian sport. Her legacy continued to be honored years later with her induction into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

A Sisterly Bond and Later Career

The story of Kreiner's 1976 Olympic victory holds an especially charming anecdote: she herself was so surprised by her triumph that she had already shipped most of her belongings home from Innsbruck and had to borrow a uniform for the medal ceremony! Adding another layer of depth to her Olympic journey is the close bond with her older sister, Laurie Kreiner, who was also a talented World Cup racer and a two-time Olympian. Laurie, with the 28th starting position (out of 43) in that same giant slalom race, experienced profound joy for her sister's success while still in the starting gate, ultimately finishing 27th. Laurie herself had come agonizingly close to an Olympic medal in 1972, placing fourth in the giant slalom, making her sister's gold all the more poignant and celebratory for the entire family.

Katharine Kreiner continued to compete at an elite level, participating in her third Olympic Games at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. There, she continued to demonstrate her prowess, securing a fifth-place finish in the downhill and a ninth-place in the giant slalom, held at Whiteface Mountain. Her final competitive season in 1981 saw her achieve her only World Cup podium in downhill, during which she made the independent decision to race apart from the Canadian national team. Her sixth and final World Cup podium in giant slalom had come nearly four years earlier, in March 1977 at Sun Valley.

Beyond her racing career, Katharine Kreiner married Dave Phillips, a former freestyle skier who also competed with the Canadian national team, maintaining her connection to the world of winter sports. As of 2020, she holds the distinct honor of remaining the only Olympic gold medalist ever to hail from Timmins, Ontario, solidifying her place as an enduring local hero and a national icon.

Frequently Asked Questions about Katharine Kreiner-Phillips

Who is Katharine Kreiner-Phillips?

Katharine Kreiner-Phillips is a former Canadian World Cup alpine ski racer and an Olympic gold medalist, renowned for her unexpected victory in the giant slalom at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.

What was Katharine Kreiner's most significant achievement?

Her most significant achievement was winning the gold medal in the giant slalom at the 1976 Winter Olympics, which was also Canada's only gold medal at those Games. This victory also made her the concurrent World Champion due to the Olympic rules of the era.

When did Katharine Kreiner win her Olympic gold medal?

She won her Olympic gold medal on Friday, February 13, 1976, at the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.

What made her 1976 Olympic win so unique or surprising?

Her victory was surprising because she was the first out of the gate and held her lead against strong competitors, including the heavily favored Rosi Mittermaier. She herself was so surprised she had to borrow a uniform for the medal ceremony after having already shipped her belongings home.

Was Katharine Kreiner a World Champion?

Yes, between 1948 and 1980, the Winter Olympics also served as the World Championships for alpine skiing. Therefore, her Olympic gold medal in 1976 automatically made her the World Champion in giant slalom as well.

How did her family support her skiing career?

Her father, Harold O. Kreiner, a physician, was her coach until she joined the national team and was also a team doctor for Canadian Olympic and World Championship ski teams, providing a strong foundation and connection to the sport from a young age.

Is Katharine Kreiner-Phillips the only Olympic gold medalist from Timmins, Ontario?

As of 2020, Katharine Kreiner-Phillips remains the only Olympic gold medalist to come from her hometown of Timmins, Ontario.