Rich Sailer Buck Hill MN Death and Obituary – The skiing community in Minnesota and around the world is mourning the passing of Erich Sailer, a legendary coach and mentor whose influence shaped generations of athletes. Sailer, who dedicated much of his life to Buck Hill in Burnsville, Minnesota, passed away at the remarkable age of 99. Best known as the childhood coach of Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn, his legacy extends far beyond one athlete, leaving an indelible mark on American skiing.
Born in Austria, Erich Sailer grew up immersed in alpine skiing before bringing his expertise and passion to the United States. His arrival signaled the beginning of a transformative era in competitive skiing, as he introduced training techniques, discipline, and a deep respect for the sport that set a new standard for young athletes. When he arrived at Buck Hill, few could have predicted that the small Minnesota slope would become a launchpad for world-class talent. Yet under Sailer’s guidance, Buck Hill became synonymous with excellence.
For decades, Sailer coached countless young athletes, instilling in them not only the fundamentals of skiing but also the values of perseverance, focus, and resilience. He had an uncanny ability to spot potential and a gift for motivating athletes to believe in themselves. For him, skiing was not just about crossing finish lines or collecting medals—it was about shaping individuals, preparing them for challenges on and off the slopes.
Lindsey Vonn, one of the most decorated skiers in history, has often credited Sailer as a pivotal influence in her early career. Under his tutelage, Vonn developed the foundation that would one day carry her to the highest podiums in the world. But Sailer’s legacy is not defined by one star athlete alone. Many of his students went on to compete at the national and international level, and even those who did not pursue skiing professionally remember him as a mentor whose lessons carried into their everyday lives.
Friends, colleagues, and former athletes have shared heartfelt tributes, recalling his sharp eye for detail, his warm encouragement, and his tireless commitment to the sport he loved. Sailer’s presence was marked by both discipline and compassion—a balance that made him not just a coach but a lifelong role model. His passing is deeply felt within the skiing world, yet his influence will endure through the countless lives he touched.
At 99 years old, Erich Sailer leaves behind a legacy that spans nearly a century, a lifetime devoted to passion and purpose. Buck Hill, forever tied to his name, stands as a testament to his vision and dedication. Though he is no longer with us, his teachings live on in every skier who trained under his watch and in the broader American skiing community he helped build.
Erich Sailer will be remembered not only as Lindsey Vonn’s childhood coach but as one of the great architects of U.S. skiing—a pioneer, a teacher, and an inspiration. His remarkable journey has ended, but his legacy is timeless.
