“Newsweek” cover of February 15, 1960, featured Penny Pitou of Gilford, who was the leading U.S. Alpine ski contestant at the Olympic Winter Games, held two weeks later.
“Newsweek” cover of February 15, 1960, featured Penny Pitou of Gilford, who was the leading U.S. Alpine ski contestant at the Olympic Winter Games, held two weeks later. Credit: Courtesy of N.H. Historical Society

The first American to win an Olympic downhill skiing medal was 21-year-old Penny Pitou of Gilford, who earned silver medals in both downhill and giant slalom at the 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley, Calif.

Pitou had learned to ski on barrel staves fashioned by her father and competed with the boys team in high school because there was no girls ski team. In 1955, she became the Junior National Champion, sweeping first place in three races: slalom, giant slalom and downhill.

The following year, she joined the U.S. National Team, competing in both 1956 and 1960.

Although her 1956 Olympics proved disappointing, in 1960 she earned two medals and became a media favorite.

Following her successful Olympic performance, Pitou returned home to Gilford, married Austrian skiing star Egon Zimmerman, and founded the Penny Pitou Ski School at Gilford’s Belknap Mountain Recreation Area.

N.H. Historical Society