In memoriam Hans Reicherl (1935–2021)
On January 26th, former Worldloppet Secretary General and CEO of König Ludwig Lauf Mr. Hans Reicherl passed away.
Hans was engaged in sports related activities all his life, with xc-skiing since 1968 being a founding-member of König Ludwig Lauf and later the CEO of the race in 1977 – 2019. He also gave contribution to the founding of Alpentris, later Euroloppet and finally also Worldloppet, leading this organization in years 1991 to 1998.
He was a passionate promoter of xc-skiing and international friendships. He did a lot for the xc-sport in East European countries, after the iron curtain was fallen. He sent for example trucks full of xc equipment to Poland and to the former East-Germany. Hans was an active supporter of Worldloppet expansion and visited many of the marathons personally, as the result races like Tartu Maraton, Jizerska Padesatka and Bieg Piastow were added to Worldloppet family.
As Secretary General of Worldloppet he achieved to bring organization out of bankruptcy, by finding the first sponsors, renewing the yearly printed Worldloppet yearbook and plugging Worldloppet to Internet. It is hard to overestimate merit of his work and enthusiasm in developing Worldloppet and keeping up its family spirit.
Franz Theurl, President of Dolomitenlauf: “His social attitude and efforts to enable everyone to experience “cross-country skiing without borders” were exemplary. It was people like Hans Reicherl who preceded the political development with their foresight and who used sport to rekindle the effect of the connection between nations. As a long-time friend and colleague, I can say that his heart burned for cross-country skiing and Worldloppet. He also transferred this fire to the current organizers in Oberammergau.”
Angelo Corradini, President of Marcialonga: “Hans was, first of all, my best friend in Germany. We called him the real German Bear: strong, enthusiastic and professional. He was a real promoter of the Worldloppet Ski Federation, in the LOC of Koenig Ludwig Lauf from the first edition.”
Marc Schauberger, Chairman of König Ludwig Lauf: “He shaped the popular sport of cross-country skiing in Germany like no other. Everyone was the same to him, he made no difference. No matter if prime minister or poor cross-country skier.”
Hans will always be remembered as a good friend and a valuable companion in the Worldloppet.
