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Martha Buller interview in her homelandShop Lifestyle – November 14, 2019
OLYPIONIC talks to “Aunt KÖPFLE” Martha Bühler about her life.
“For example, we didn’t have artificial snow at the time.”
In 1968, Martha Bühler became the first woman from Liechtenstein to compete in the Winter Olympics. The 68-year-old from Triesenberg ended her skiing career at the age of 22 to enter the catering industry. Today, Martha Bühler is best known for her Knöpfle. In the interview, she talks about the highs and lows of her skiing career, how she got into button making and her book project.
Author: Reuben Buch.
First some news: Alice Robinson, only 17 years old, won the giant slalom at the opening World Cup in Sölden last week. Was this a surprise to you?
No, not actually. Because she was already on the podium in the season finale last year. And then you found out she was very good. But I didn’t expect her to win in Sölden right away. But I think it’s good to have another young athlete at the forefront of giant slalom.
How much do you follow ski racing today?
If I could, I would watch all the World Cup matches live on TV. Sometimes it doesn’t work because I can’t attend. I’m still interested in it. But not just winter sports, but sports in general. For example, I would also go to Vaduz to watch football games or watch other sports on TV.
Who do you support?
I have to think about that… So in the men’s race, I already think that Pinturault will win if Hirschel is no longer there. For the ladies, I am of course still waiting for Tina Werather. But she only competes in downhill and super-G. She is no longer present in the giant slalom in Sölden.
What do you think Tina Vilaser can do this season?
If she only competed in the fast events, her chances of winning would definitely be better. Giant slalom is not her event, so it might be better if she focused on the speed events.
How do you think the Ski World Cup has changed over the past 50 years?
The materials have probably changed the most. A lot has happened in the last few years and of course we have to adapt the way we drive. But the snow is also different today because, for example, we didn’t have artificial snow back then. Driving on artificial snow is of course very different from driving on natural snow.
She is a pioneer in female skiing in Liechtenstein. Are you aware of this role? Does it make you feel a little proud?
It does make me a bit proud. No Liechtenstein woman had competed in the Olympics before me, and I competed in Grenoble 1968 and Sapporo 1972. My achievements are not exactly earth-shattering, but things have improved for women and men in Liechtenstein. Hanni Wenzel is a good example.
In 1968, you were the first Liechtenstein woman to compete in the Olympics. What memories do you have from the Winter Olympics?
Rudolf Schädler was the president of the ski association, and I drove to Grenoble with him because I was the only lady. But I didn’t like the races in Grenoble very much because they were very scattered. There were no mobile phones or the Internet back then, which is why we didn’t even know who won the cross-country ski race.
What is the situation like at the Sapporo Olympics?
That was something completely different. There was an Olympic Village where all the athletes lived. So you could meet athletes from other sports as well, and I watched ice hockey, ski jumping and cross-country skiing with the Swiss team.
At that time, it was not common for young women in Liechtenstein to go skiing. How did you first become interested in sports?
My father was an avid skier and wanted me to take up the sport. At that time, people started training in the fall, so I had little choice but to ski. Winter was already booked up anyway, and we went to Magglingen in September for physical training. There was nothing else to do.
At the age of 22, you ended your skiing career. Why?
It’s simple: as a skier you don’t get any income. We have to be happy that we get a pair of skis and poles. The ski association already pays for the trip, but we receive nothing else.
Do you regret quitting your job early now?
Yes, I regret it a little. I should have taken the risk for another four years and said I would only do fast disciplines. But that is not common there. Everyone does everything, whether they can or not. No one only skis downhill, and it is unfortunate that super-G is not on the race calendar yet. Because that is exactly my discipline.
Looking back now, what has been the highlight of your career?
Most people would say 10th place in the Olympic downhill in Sapporo. It’s certainly not bad, especially because I left some good riders behind, like Rossi Mittermaier. But I think 10th place in the World Cup giant slalom in Abetone was almost better. Because, firstly, it’s the giant slalom, and secondly, only four athletes per country start at the Olympics, while more can start at the World Cup. That’s why it was a little better for me. But in the end, only the podium positions count (laughs).
What is the lowest point?
At the 1970 World Championships in Sölden I changed ski brands, but unfortunately I bought the wrong brand. That’s why I didn’t tear anything. The whole winter was unforgettable. But other than that I was actually lucky and never got injured.
A few years ago, you had health problems. How are you doing now?
I feel good. People always tell me: “Siahschd guat us!” Yes, I am happy with the situation. Now I can ski again. Before this, I had to take two years off because I had back surgery and I still have a plate in my back. Of course, I don’t want to take any risks. But I started skiing again last winter and I will definitely go skiing again this winter.
Did your athlete’s mentality help you fight the disease?
Yes, I think sports helped me. I still remember when I was in St. Gallen hospital, I really went through the whole treatment process. And at my age. The doctor also told me that my athlete mentality was already visible.
Other: After your sports career, you started a second career in the gastronomy industry. Why in particular?
A lot of skiers did that at the time. We didn’t make much money, so we used his name. People used to be very interested in winter sports, so we were able to use our influence in the restaurant industry. That’s how I started working at “Bärg”.
Today, you are best known as “Knöpfle-Martha”, while skier Martha is somewhat forgotten. Do you think this is a shame?
Not at all. The older people still know that I’m a skier and they often ask me about it. But for the boys it’s logical that they don’t know me as a skier anymore. That’s why I’m now known as “Knöpfla” and I love it too.
Why Knöpfle and not something else?
I used to be part of the “Bärger-Wucha” where my mother and I made buttons. Then people came to us for the Knöpfle. At first I didn’t understand at all, because my mother always said: “Who wants to drive up the mountain for the Knöpfle?”
But why now when you can be hired to make buttons?
When I stopped at the “Bärg”, many people asked me where they could eat these Knöpfle now. Then I went to Lihga and Wiga, where there were also many customers. Then I thought that I could offer this in catering.
How’s business?
I have a lot of orders. Birthdays, company parties, naming days, etc… That’s how I always get to know a lot of people and I love it. Then I have things to do and have to prepare everything, which distracts me from other things.
Besides the “Knöpfla” and skiing, what are your other hobbies?
I still play golf in the summer, but I’m not a good golfer now. I do it more for fun and to get some exercise. Other than that, I don’t do any exercise except skiing. But I still consider myself pretty healthy.
The rest of us?
I also like to travel, although I like Liechtenstein the most. All my friends are here and if I want to see someone, I go to the “Städtle” in Vaduz – you can always see someone there. I think that’s good because I’m not born to be alone. I need people around me.
You said you like to travel. What was your favorite trip?
I like the Loire region the most. Of course, wine is also a hobby, so I did a wine tour along the Loire. It was wonderful, and I really like France anyway. But before, when I was still skiing, I couldn’t enjoy it at all. For example, we went to the Val d’Isere and saw almost nothing. We went there and went straight home after the race.
Which trip was the most exciting?
One time I went skiing on Mount Etna in Sicily. Actually there used to be a ski lift there and there were always ski races there in the spring. The snow was grey at that time because of the ash. We had to take a bus from Catania for an hour in the morning. Then we went to the race and came back to the beach in Catania in the afternoon because it was April and you could swim there.
What is something you simply cannot do?
What am I not good at right now? (Think). I would say the one with the computer. So I can do the most important things, but I don’t have to be able to do everything. I’m not too interested in that either. I prefer to talk to people directly, sit at a table and have a glass of wine. But I don’t need Facebook or anything like that.
Finally: You said in an interview that you wanted to write a cookbook with stories from your skiing days. Do you still want this?
Yes, that is still a question. I have written a few recipes but it has nothing to do with my cookbook. I am more interested in entertaining with anecdotes from my life and skiing career. Then I will add some of my favorite recipes.
How far have you progressed with this book?
Yeah, I should start here now. I already have someone who will write this for me. So I just have to provide the story and the recipes, and then he will decorate the whole thing for me so that it can be put into a book. I really have to stick with this project now.
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