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“I felt the power on the mountain of 60,000 people screaming for their man. I became kind of a fan of Franz [Klammer].”Bernhard RussiSilver medallist in men’s downhill eventBIG RED MACHINE ROLLS ON TO HISTORIC GOLDHaving won ice hockey gold in each of the three previous Olympic Winter Games, the Soviet Union were seeking a record-equalling fourth successive Olympic crown in Innsbruck. But when the ÒBig Red MachineÓ found themselves trailing Czechoslovakia 2-0 after the first period of the final, it looked like the teamÕs great run would come to an end. The Soviets fought back in the second period, only for the Czechs to score again to lead 3-2. But the Soviets werenÕt ready to let the Olympic title slip from their grasp and hit their opponents with two late goals in quick succession to clinch an historic gold medal.WHAT THEY SAIDMEMORABLE MOMENTSMEMORABLE MOMENTSTHE KLAMMER EXPRESSThe sight of local hero Franz Klammer flying down the Patscherkofel downhill course in his bright yellow ski suit Ð barely managing to stay in control Ð became one of the defining images of the 1976 Olympic Winter Games. Aged just 22, the ÒKlammer ExpressÓ thrilled thousands of cowbell-ringing fans on the mountain Ð and millions more watching on TV Ð by completing the vertiginous 3km run in just 1:45.73. He eclipsed the time posted by SwitzerlandÕs reigning Olympic champion Bernhard Russi by a third of a second to claim the gold medal in exhilarating fashion. DID YOU KNOW?Innsbruck saw the Olympic Winter Games debuts of Andorra and San Marino, while ice dancing (above) debuted as a full medal discipline.70 OLYMPIC REVIEW OLYMPIC FLASHBACK