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The skis of the stars are hanging on his wall: Beni Scheiber, host of the Start Bar (left).
This dining room is bursting with contrasts. During this race week, ski tourists sit at a table with the world’s best ski racers and their supervisors in the Startbar on the Lauberhorn. On the wooden wall, a signed racing ski by US superstar Bode Miller (45) catches the eye. And a racing outfit by the legendary Canadian Manuel Osborne Paradis (38) hangs on the carved Gemskopf.
“I have a very special relationship with these downhill legends,” emphasizes Beni Scheiber, who lives in Basel, who built this restaurant 20 years ago right behind the start house of the Lauberhorn downhill run. Above all, Scheiber has special memories of Miller. “Bode was really a rock’n’roller among the racing drivers, who sometimes stayed at the bar until 4 a.m. the night before a race,” says Scheiber and continues with a grin: “Once Miller was in the starting area – scarred by the nightlife – bent over his ski poles and almost fell asleep. He then came to my bar and, contrary to his usual drinking habits, ordered a peppermint tea. After that he was really fit again.”
The Herminator wanted AC/DC
Austria’s ski savior Hermann Maier (50) ordered a really hard sound from Scheiber for breakfast in order to get up to temperature. «When folk music was played in my bar the morning before the track inspection, the Herminator wanted AC/DC. Because I like hard rock myself, I was of course happy to fulfill his wish.”
Because Scheiber has exactly the right feeling for dealing with the uncompromising downhill daredevils, many return to Benis cozy pub even after their careers have ended. Just like the downhill world champion of 1997, Bruno Kernen. «Bruno sometimes visits me in the summer too. And I experienced a particularly exciting story with him in 2003.»
Attention ski fans! Now quiz and type races
The 2022/2023 ski season is in full swing and so is the “Blick Ski Trophy”: Answer questions every day, type ski races and crown yourself as ski champion. Lots of great prizes await.
To take part in the “Blick Ski Trophy”, you have to register here.
Have fun and good luck!
The 2022/2023 ski season is in full swing and so is the “Blick Ski Trophy”: Answer questions every day, type ski races and crown yourself as ski champion. Lots of great prizes await.
To take part in the “Blick Ski Trophy”, you have to register here.
Have fun and good luck!
Kernen won with a glass of “Schampis”
What happened? “Because a descent had to be canceled in Val-d’Isère this winter, two descents were held in Wengen. Before the first race I offered Bruno a glass of champagne to strengthen him. He refused and then finished third. The day after, before the start of the original descent, I offered Bruno another glass of ‘Schampis’. This time he drank it too and then won the race.”
Four years ago, the former patrolman almost lost his Start-Bar because a severe foehn storm caused serious damage. “70 percent of the restaurant broke down at the time, the roof was completely torn off. I was really close to giving up everything here.” In the end, the 53-year-old changed his mind. Much to the delight of many ski stars, coaches, slope workers and amateur skiers.
Odermatt’s serviceman explains: “We have about 20 pairs of skis with us”(16:19)
Attention ski fans! Now quiz and type races
The 2022/2023 ski season is in full swing and so is the “Blick Ski Trophy”: Answer questions every day, type ski races and crown yourself as ski champion. Lots of great prizes await.
To take part in the “Blick Ski Trophy”, you have to register here.
Have fun and good luck!
The 2022/2023 ski season is in full swing and so is the “Blick Ski Trophy”: Answer questions every day, type ski races and crown yourself as ski champion. Lots of great prizes await.
To take part in the “Blick Ski Trophy”, you have to register here.
Have fun and good luck!