Finnish alpine skier Kalle Palander, who won the world championship in slalom in 1999, released his biography yesterday in Helsinki, Finland. Kalle Palander’s book opens up many surprising episodes from his private life. According to the book, Kalle was jailed due to drinking and driving in Monaco 2002.

Palander had been dining with his colleague Sami Uotiola and few other friends. Mr. Uotila decided to go back home early, while Kalle stayed in the restaurant. In the morning Uotila tried to call Kalle with no success. Finally he managed to reach frantic Palander.

“I wrecked my car last night. I got too much alcohol in my blood. That guy who was with me hurt his head. They took him to hospital. I am in jail now“, said Palander.

According to the book, Kalle Palander had way too much alcohol in his blood. He had crashed with another car and disappeared, although he brought the injured person to hospital. Kalle got a fine and lost his driving license for one year. He spent 16 days in prison.

Another surprising episode in Kalle Palander’s life is that his father and mother boycotted the wedding of Kalle and Riina-Maija. According to the book, Kalle’s father wanted his son to put efforts in skiing than “drinking champagne and spending vacations on beach”. Kalle’s father did not join the wedding, and neither joined his mother because she wanted to be loyal to her husband.

According to Finnish newspaper Iltasanomat, Kalle Palander’s father does not like the book at all. He says “it does not tell anything about Kalle Palander and our training“. He has not read the book yet. Kalle knows that he has been successful much because of his father who is a demanding coach. Anyhow, everything changed last year when Kalle heard that his father has lung cancer that cannot be operated.

Although year 2007 went fighting, Kalle Palander and his father have reconciled. “Our relationship right now is great and much better than last year. We will start training together again in April 11th.“, says Kalle Palander. His father Jouni Palander has confirmed this. “We will start training as soon as Kalle is able to continue“, says Jouni Palander.