Kalle Palander won the giant slalom race in Alta Badia in last weekend. This was not the first victory for Palander who has already won the world cup of slalom in 1999. Palander has won several races and had been in the top of alpine skiing for many years. Now, who is Kalle Palander? Well, many of you might know already, but let me tell provide you a brief introduction to alpine skier Kalle Palander.

Kalle Markus Palander was born in 1997 in Tornio in Finland, which is located in the middle of Finland. Kalle Palander is the most successful Finnish alpine skier ever and is a very well known person in Finland. Kalle’s father Jouni Palander works and has always worked as Kalle’s personal coach. Kalle Palander is married to Riina-Maija Palander with whom he has a daughter, Oda-Sofia (born in 2007). Additionally Palander has a daughter, Mathilde, born in 1999 in Norway.

Kalle Palander showed his skills in 1997 by taking 16th position in slalom in Sestriere. In Nagano’s Olympic Games in 1998 Palander took 9th position in slalom, after which his career started skyrocketing. In 1999 in Vail Palander took the first position in slalom by which Palander became the very first Finnish alpine skiing champion.

Next few years were painful for Palander. He did not reach high positions and he was forced to quit his season due to his injuries. Season 2002-2003 brought Kalle Palander back to the top. In Kitzbuhel he took the first position for  long time and that brought his self-confidence back to his normal level, which is pretty high

Latest seasons have pretty good for Kalle Palander and right now he is fighting for the gold medal. Palander is getting older, as he has said himself, but right now he is still in the game and is a furious challenger. Kalle Palander is a very good skier who is able to keep his nerves in high pressure. Kalle is known from his colourful comments and straight answers and he is seen as a very positive and open minded person. Kalle is a fighter and does not give it up easily. I hope we will see this “alpine skiing rock n’ roll star” skiing for many years, but there have been rumours that Kalle might end his career soon. Well, rumours are rumours, the fact is that right now Kalle is skiing fast and might become the winner in slalom in this season!

More about Kalle Palander in his website.

Oh yes, do not worry. I might write a long er bio of Kalle Palander as well, but this time I start with a short introduction.