Cortina d'Ampezzo, 1st February 1956: Madeleine BERTHOD from Switzerland, 1st, in action during the Alpine skiing downhill. Credit: IOC Olympic Museum Collections

Other names: CHAMOT, Madeleine

Born: 1 February 1931

Birthplace: Not available

Nationality: Switzerland

Sport: Skiing

ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Oslo 1952

Cortina d'Ampezzo 1956

Squaw Valley 1960

AWARDS

Olympic medals:

Gold: 1

Other results:

World Championships

Silver: 2 (54)

The Biggest Downhill Victory

Madeleine Berthod first competed in the Olympics in 1952 and placed sixth in both the downhill and the slalom. In 1956, she finished fourth in the giant slalom. Then, on her 25th birthday, she raced in the downhill, an event in which she was the favorite. Berthod did not disappoint; she won by 4.7 seconds. Her margin of victory was four times larger than any other woman's in the event's history. Berthod also competed in the Olympics in 1960.