Heinz Loew writes: Claus Werner Andreas Kopp was born in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, as Claus Werner Andreas Hübscher. Later, after his aunt, with whom he lived, married Werner Kopp of Lucerne, Switzerland, he was adopted by Werner, a banker in Lucerne, and thereafter became Claus Werner Andreas Kopp.
Following his apprenticeship as a banker with the Schweizer Volksbank, Claus discovered the Cresta Run during one of his family's stays in St. Moritz at the age of sixteen. He arrived at the Run with his own helmet and, like all of us, began as an SL. He first appeared in Annual Report No. 54 for the 1973–1974 season as a Full Member. Curiously, however, his initial application for membership had been rejected, despite the fact that his proposer was Gunther Sachs. Claus became a Life Member in 1979.
I first met Claus on 18 December 1975 while crossing the street from the Kulm Hotel to the Scala Bar. I was Tower Boy at the time, and Reverend Lester Brewster and I were thirsty, and decided to have a drink there. Claus happened to drive by in his green Chevrolet Monza, and we were introduced. That chance meeting marked the beginning of a lifelong friendship.
In 1976, when I applied for Full Membership, Claus became my proposer, with Carl Nater as my seconder. Later, he served as my best man when I married Maya in 1980. True to form, Claus and his wife Monika arrived only an hour late for the wedding ceremony, prompting the President of the Municipality of Bubendorf, where we were then living, to telephone me three times to ask whether the ceremony was actually going to take place.
Claus’s first victories on the Run came in 1976 when he won both the Bott Cup and the Coppa d’Italia in the same season. Claus also won the Baron Oertzen Cup in 1992 and the Roger Gibbs Challenge Cup in 2001. He also succeeded in winning the unofficial Swiss Abos race in 2007.
A fine rider from both Top (best time: 57.39) and Junction (best time: 44.48), Claus earned the respect and admiration of many Members. The late Lieutenant Colonel Digby Willoughby would sometimes greet him from the Tower with the words, "Hello, the ever-elegant Claus Kopp!"
Claus continued riding the Cresta until his final run in 2014, and he did not miss a single season in all those years. In later years, his winter home was in La Punt, at the property of his relative, Georg von Opel.
Claus was also one of the co-founders of the Swiss Aboriginees, the well-known group of riders from Central Switzerland. We shared many unforgettable summer gatherings and wonderful parties together in Lucerne.
He had a lifelong passion for cars and motor racing, taking particular pleasure in his Alfa Romeo Zagato and his Lotus.
A few years ago, Claus married Michelle Heinzen, with whom he lived in Wollerau, Switzerland, until his death. He chose to determine the time and manner of his passing in his own courageous way.
Claus was also an exceptionally generous traveller. I shall never forget his invitation to accompany him to New York and Boston in 1991 - travelling, of course, in Swissair First Class.
I believe Claus will be deeply missed as an enriching Member and unforgettable character of our great Club, the St. Moritz Tobogganing Club, which, as we all know, is the finest sporting club in the world. May we all remember Claus Werner Andreas Kopp with affection, admiration, and the respect that he so richly deserved.
H.H. Loew
4.07.2026
The Swiss Abos are planning a dinner in memoriam of Claus at the Bistro du Théâtre in Lucerne at 7.30pm on Thursday 13th August 2026. Please find more information below.
Should you wish to attend, please message/call Danny Schlegel: 0041 79 218 50 52.
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