Minnesota Mourns Legendary Ski Coach and Hall of Famer Erich Sailer, 99, Survived by Wife Ursula and Daughter Martina

The late Erich Sailer would have turned 100 on November 7, 2026.

August 21, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on August 21, 2026

Erich Sailer, an Austrian native and legendary ski coach who coached renowned Olympians including Lindsey Vonn and Kristina Koznick, passed away at the age of 99.

According to family members, the veteran ski coach, Erich Sailer, passed away after brain complications, just three months shy of his 100th birthday.

His daughter, Martina Sailer Cook, posted on earlier this month to reveal that the late Erich had been suffering from health issues for a couple of weeks.

The family noticed that his physical and mental capacities were declining quickly, and he needed a craniotomy, a brain surgery, for a significant brain bleed.

She further added that Erich required 48 hours of continuous talking post-surgery and that he was recovering at Friendship Village in Bloomington.

However, Erich Sailer couldn’t survive the brain complications and lost his life a few days after his brain surgery.

Similarly, Erich Sailer’s demise has left a profound void in the lives of his family, friends, and loved ones.

Many of his loved ones are paying tribute to the legendary ski coach and extending their heartfelt condolences to his family.

Late Erich Sailer Was Inducted Into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame in 2005

Born in 1925 in Telfs, Tyrol, Austria, Erich Sailer served as a succesful ski coach for over five decades.

Sailer moved to the United States in the 1950s, and it didn’t take him long to become one of the legendary ski coaches in U.S. history, mentoring over 20,000 athletes, including renowned Olympian Lindsey Vonn of Vail.

Erich Sailer, who arrived at Buck Hill in 1969, served as the first coach of Lindsey Vonn at Buck Hill Ski Racing Club.

“Erich always told me that my technique and style were what made me fast. He taught me to stick with it, and I’ve never forgotten that,” said Lindsey Vonn.

Furthermore, he transformed Buck Hill into a ‘slalom factory’, producing U.S. racing stars, including Kristina Koznick, who became Buck Hill’s first World Cup race winner and worked with the Buck Hill Ski Racing Team for decades.

Erich Sailer also served as the founder andof Erich Sailer Ski Racing Camps, Inc., and touched the lives of thousands with his amazing coaching skills.

He based his coaching philosophy on demonstration, basic technique, deliberate practice, natural motion, and sequence of movements reinforced by repetition.

Similarly, for his remarkable contribution to the United States sports community, Erich Sailer into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame in 2005.

Erich Sailer’s contribution to the Minnesota community and the United States Sports community as an exceptional ski coach will always be remembered.

In addition to his daughter, Martina Sailer, Erich Sailer is survived by his longtime wife, Ursula Sailer, son-in-law, Jesse, granddaughters, Lulu and Greta, and the whole family.

In Case You Didn’t Know

  • Late Erich Sailer’s daughter, Martina Sailer, is a former U.S. Ski Team member, University of Denver NCAA championship team member, and currently serves as the Buck Hill Ski Racing Team coach and camp director at Erich Sailer Ski Racing Camps.
  • Erich Sailer Ski Racing Camps, established in 1995, is located in Mt. Hood, Oregon, and Burnsville, Minnesota.
  • Erich served as Timberline’s Ski School Director in 1957.

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Suruchi is a business management student with a strong passion for writing, particularly when it comes to sports. She loves creating articles and blogs that explore various aspects of the sports world. With a curious mind and a love for both academics and creativity, she constantly seeks to expand her knowledge and share her insights through her writing.

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