Although our thoughts might be turning to the build up to a new Cresta Season- a Madrid Halloween, Revolutionary Ball or Sydney Corroborree perhaps- let us all mourn the passing of one of the true legends of our great Club Poldi Berchtold, the only man in our history to hold all three Club records at the same time in 1975: Top 53.24 (in the Gunter Sachs), Junction 42.96 (in the The Cartier Challenge), Flying Junction 34.80 (in the Hans Badrutt).
That vintage 1975 Season Poldi’s distinctive yellow suit reigned supreme as he steered his 98cm long Togweiller toboggan with its 16mm diameter runners to six open race victories including the Curzon (his first of five), Morgan and Grand National (when he beat Johnnie Woodall by 4/100thof a second.) Despite having the fastest time in The Brabazon Trophy, Poldi was pipped by Gianni Bibbia. He never won the beautiful gold toboggan, but he did eventually conquer the Heaton Gold Cup in 1994, aged 56!
Poldi was introduced to the Cresta by one of his ice hockey pupils, Christian Nater, in the 1969-1970 Season and was immediately captivated. The Gansser brothers were also newcomers, though Poldi approached the task of tobogganing with the most seriousness and professionalism, his beloved wife Petra always at his side recording his split times. Success was not instantaneous, however, and in his second Season he fell at Shuttlecock no less than sixteen times, and for good measure twice at Bulpetts. Nevertheless, this promising SL did win the Stagni Cup with a handicap of 3.70 seconds.
For all Poldi’s discipline on the Run, off it he was one of the funniest, most spirited people you could meet in the Sunny Bar, or latterly at the 19th hole of various golf clubs around the world, especially with his great friend Teymour Alireza.
Unassuming to a fault, Poldi was ever present in the Clubhouse, always articulate and generous in his willing offers to help and inspire riders of lesser ability, and hold sessions in the afternoons to give advice to SLs keen to master Shuttlecock and improve their times. His unmentionable exploits with a bucket were almost as legendary as his riding skills on the Run.
RIP Poldi, we will miss you!
