Jean Vuarnet, the French downhill skiing gold medalist who pioneered the tuck position for racers, has died at 83, his family announced Monday.
The French Olympic Committee said in a statement that Vuarnet died of a stroke, The Associated Press reported.
Vuarnet's tucked position, referred to as the "egg" position, created a better aerodynamic profile for skiers and was adopted by other racers, Agence France-Presse reported. He won the gold in the downhill during the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics in California, becoming the first Olympic champion to use metal skis, according to the news agency.
Vuarnet went on to help develop the Avoriaz ski resort, which opened in 1964 as part of the "Portes du Soleil" ski area that links 12 French and Swiss resorts.
Vuarnet's wife, Edith, and youngest son, Patrick, were among 16 people who died in a murder-suicide involving the Order of the Solar Temple doomsday group in 1995, the AP reported.
The BBC News wrote that during the Squaw Valley Olympics, Vuarnet wore a new type of anti-glare sunglasses that was provided to the French team. Afterward, he signed a deal with the glasses' manufacturer, allowing them to use his name in branding.
Many shared their condolences on social media.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.