The White Blitz from Kitz (in contrast to Toni Sailer, who was the Black Blitz from Kitz), as he was known, was one of the best skiers of the 1950s, though labouring in Toni Sailer's shadow. At the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy he won silver in the giant slalom, and bronze in the downhill competition. In 1953, 1955, 1958, and 1959 he won the Hahnenkamm Race in Kitzbühel. He was absolutely dominant on the pro circuit in the early 1960s.