Claudine Longet and Spider Sabich

Jim Moose Barrows

Coach Beattie and the rest of America expected great things from the 1968 team, which also included Kidd, Huega, Moose Barrows and Ni Orsi, all Colorado Buffaloes.

But a combination of mishaps and stiff competition kept the Americans out of the medals. Sabich finished fifth in the slalom.

Most of the team turned professional and competed in World Cup ski racing in Europe. Sabich had a decent career, with one victory in the slalom and 18 top ten finishes. In 1969, he was ranked as high as 11th in the world.

Tina Sinatra

In 1970, Beattie formed the Professional Ski Racing Tour in the United States to capitalize on the sport's growing popularity in America.

Sabich gladly joined up, eager to return to America after spending most of the three previous years in Europe.

He moved to Aspen, where his brother, Steve, by then a contractor, built him a chalet in the exclusive Starwood section, where his neighbors included Tina Sinatra and John Denver.