the lip at the top of the Headwall. From the first reports of Matt's run to the present day, writers have frequently noted the astonishing fact that Matt's time of 6:29.2 did not just break the record of 12:35.0 set at the second Inferno in 1934, but nearly cut it in half. While these facts are correct, the record-breaking time owes little to Matt's renowned Headwall schuss. In fact, even though only Matt schussed the Headwall, 37 of the 44 skiers in the 1939 race beat the 1934 course record. Second-place finisher Dick Durrance wrote in his memoir that he doubted the schuss could even account for one minute of time saved. There are at least four reasons for such improved times in the 1939 running of the Inferno: the snow conditions at the time were ideal; there was a strong tail wind; the skiers were given wide latitude to choose their own routes (there was only a single gate), so strategy was an important determinant of time; and racers in the 1939 Inferno had the benefit of the experience of racers in the two previous Infernos. And finally, the John Sherburne Ski Trail was constructed after the second Inferno, providing a faster route from the bottom of the Little Headwall to Pinkham Notch. References Further reading Jeffrey R. Leich (1999), Over the Headwall, A Short History of Skiing in Tuckerman Ravine. New England Ski Museum. ASIN B0006RN50E External links Photo of Toni Matt skiing from the New England Ski Museum Photo of Toni Matt and Luggi Foeger from the New England Ski Museum 1919 births 1989 deaths Austrian male alpine skiers People from Landeck District United States Army officers United States Army personnel of World War II Sportspeople from Tyrol (state)