It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Bruno Bischofberger at the age of 86. Bruno was not only a trailblazer in the contemporary art world, but also one of the most gifted and influential Cresta Riders of his generation. During the 1970s he became a four-time Grand National winner, a Grand Slam winner, and a Junction record holder, securing his place in Cresta history.
Born in Zurich, Bruno studied art history, archaeology, and ethnography (folk art) at the University of Zurich before embarking on what would become an extraordinary career in art.
In December 1966 he took his first descent down the Cresta, returning regularly on weekends throughout February, and was elected a Member at the end of that season.
A naturally gifted rider, Bruno quickly established himself as one of the sport’s outstanding talents. Although hardly a true novice, he won the Novices’ Cup from Junction before competing in both the Heaton and the Curzon in only his second season. By January 1968 he had gone to Top.
Bruno was also an innovator. Over the following seasons he introduced several advances that would influence future generations of riders, including the design of rakes featuring the now-familiar “rails”, and the so-called “kamikaze” riding position, with the hands held close to the waist along the straights. Following extensive wind-tunnel testing in Zurich, he later adopted a skin tight diver’s rubber suit with a hood, memorably featured in Sandy Gall’s 1972 film The Cresta Run.
In 1968/69, only his third season, he enjoyed a remarkable run of success, winning the Knapp Cup, the Marsden off scratch, the Morgan, and the Grand National. His time of 55.43 was the fastest of the season. In 1971/72 he achieved a clean sweep of the open races, including a Grand Slam, and in 1973 bettered his own Junction record with a run of 43.45.
Beyond his achievements on the ice, Bruno also served on the SMTC Committee and remained a prominent figure in St Moritz long after his competitive career. His final ride came in 1983.
Bruno cut a distinctive figure in St Moritz, first through his small but influential art gallery, where he exhibited works by leading 20th-century artists, and secondly through his famously extravagant fur coat. He belonged to the wave of Swiss and German riders who transformed the Cresta scene in the late 1960s, alongside figures such as Uli Burgerstein, following in the footsteps of Gunter Sachs, the Kuederli brothers, and Cha Cha Theler.
When not competing on the Cresta, his eponymous art galleries, founded in 1963, demanded Bruno’s full attention. A visionary dealer and early champion of contemporary art, he introduced several major artists to St Moritz, including Sandro Chia, Julian Schnabel, and most notably Jean-Michel Basquiat, all of whom experienced the Cresta Run under his guidance. An early supporter and great friend of Andy Warhol, Bruno was granted first refusal on all of Warhol’s work until the artist’s death. In 1982 he also began representing Jean-Michel Basquiat internationally, helping to establish the artist’s global reputation.
Bruno will be deeply missed - remembered not only for his remarkable eye for artistic talent, but also for his originality, charisma, and lasting contribution to the Cresta. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy both in the art world and on the ice.
We send our love and condolences to his wife Yoyo, his children Lea, Nina, Cora, and Magnus, and all the family.
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