Jean Saubert

Jean Saubert

Jean Marlene Saubert (May 1, 1942 – May 14, 2007) was an alpine ski racer from the United States. She was known for her speed and skill on the snowy slopes.

Saubert took part in the 1964 Winter Olympics held in Innsbruck, Austria, where she won two medals, showing great talent and determination.

After finishing her skiing career and graduating from college, Saubert became a teacher, sharing her knowledge and experiences with others.

Early life

Jean Marlene Saubert was born on May 1, 1942, in Roseburg, Oregon. She grew up in Cascadia and finished school at Lakeview High School in 1960. She started skiing at Hoodoo Butte and competed at Mount Hood and Mount Bachelor.

Racing career

Jean Saubert began skiing in 1962 when she joined the U.S. Ski Team. Her first big race was the 1962 World Championships in Chamonix, France, where she came in sixth in the giant slalom. She won U.S. championships in downhill and giant slalom in 1963 and 1964. She also won the slalom and combined titles in 1964. In her career, she won eight U.S. championships.

At the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Saubert won a bronze medal in the slalom and a silver medal in the giant slalom. She was the only U.S. athlete to win more than one medal at those Olympics. She stopped competing internationally at age 24 after placing fourth in the slalom at the 1966 World Championships in Portillo, Chile.

Post-competition life

After her skiing career, Jean Saubert returned to Oregon and finished her studies at Oregon State University in Corvallis in 1966. She later joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and earned a master's degree at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. In Utah, she taught physical education and worked as a ski instructor for several years. She then moved back to Oregon, where she taught elementary school in Hillsboro.

Jean Saubert was honored by being inducted into the National Ski Hall of Fame in 1976 and the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1983. She was also chosen to carry the torch for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. She faced health challenges later in life and passed away at the age of 65 in Bigfork, Montana on May 14, 2007.