Franz Krienbühl
Franz Krienbühl (24 March 1929 – 13 April 2002) was a Swiss speed skater who is mostly known for his inventions that changed the sport. Starting his international sporting career only in his late thirties at the 1968 Winter Olympics of Grenoble, Krienbühl mostly skated at the back of the field. However, in 1974, he introduced the one-piece skin suit into speed skating.
Also recorded as Franz Krienbuehl
Franz Krienbühl
- Born
- Franz Krienbühl was born on 24 March 1929. · Baar.
- Died
- Franz Krienbühl died on 16 April 2002.
- Nationality
- Switzerland
- Occupation
- architect · speed skater
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Franz Krienbühl (24 March 1929 – 13 April 2002) was a Swiss speed skater who is mostly known for his inventions that changed the sport. Starting his international sporting career only in his late thirties at the 1968 Winter Olympics of Grenoble, Krienbühl mostly skated at the back of the field. However, in 1974, he introduced the one-piece skin suit into speed skating.
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wikidata · Q323823 · wikipedia · Franz Krienbühl
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Biography
Biography
In spite of the fact that he improved his times dramatically, he was initially laughed at. However, when other skaters also showed improvement, the top skaters quickly switched to the suits as well. Krienbühl also introduced minor improvements for skates. Krienbühl's best performance was the eighth position on the 10,000 m at the 1976 Winter Olympics. He stopped speed skating internationally at age 48 the next season, though he continued to skate competitively until 1986. During his career, he won at least 14 Swiss Allround Championships. In 1989, Krienbühl was severely injured in a cycling accident. He died in April 2002, aged 73.
Franz Krienbühl (1929–2002) was a Swiss architect and speed skater.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1929
Franz Krienbühl born at Baar.
2002
Franz Krienbühl died.
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Franz Krienbühl was born in Baar.
Birthplace
Baar.
Birth place
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reference work
- “Franz Krienbühl”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q323823: Franz Krienbühl
General reference · Wikidata
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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