While his title could be expected in Vail (at least he had entered the race as a medal contender), his first two successes at the final in Saalbach came as a surprise in both the Super-G and the next day in the giant slalom. He had previously stood on a World Cup podium five times (second in each case in the Super-G in Madonna di Campiglio on December 19, 1983, in the giant slalom in Puy St. Vicent on December 8, 1984 and in the Super-G on March 16 1986 in Schladming, as well as third in the Super-G of Madonna on December 17, 1984 and in the giant slalom of Schladming on January 8, 1985), his performances in the last two seasons did not lead to these great results being expected.
Hangl had a bad experience on February 25, 1988 during the Winter Olympics in Calgary. Between the two rounds of the giant slalom he happened to witness the fatal accident of the Austrian team doctor Jörg Oberhammer , together with his team colleague Pirmin Zurbriggen . Hangl suffered a collapse and had to be taken out of the race by the Swiss team doctor Hans Spring.
Switzerland
