franz klammer 1976 olympic downhill frank giffordfranz klammer 1976 olympic downhill frank gifford

Rahlves got his own revenge, of sorts, just two months later when he opened the World Championships in St. Anton with a super-G victory ahead of Austrias Stephan Eberharter and Maier a day that stopped the world in the hearts of Austrian ski racing fans. In an interview before the Games, La Bomba told the press that his dad, Franco, might buy him a Ferrari if he clinched two gold medals in Canadaa mission he accomplished by winning the slalom and the GS. This one was different. At the end of the 1975 season, despite having won 8 of 9 downhills, he finished third for the overall World Cup title. Klammer won the World Cup downhill title five times: 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1983 twice more than the next best downhiller. Above: Maier on the GS course in Nagano. Four Hahnenkamm downhill titles (only Didier Cuche has more, with five). A season earlier in 1974-75, he won an unprecedented eight World Cup downhills. In the 1976 Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, the stakes rose. One of his strongest opponents was the very determined Annemarie Proell. At 1.35 is when he takes a line that no other skier dared to on the day and that is to cut harder left, slingshotting him forward faster. Everyones heart was in their throats and on the edge of their seat. Old School. He was paired with Frank Gifford to call one of the Winter Olympics' most famous ski races for ABC - Austrian great Franz Klammer's electric downhill run to capture gold in 1976. Franz Klammer is one of the all-time legendsof skiing. When Klammers time at the starting gate came he knew exactly what needed to be done. Bernhard and I, we are really close friends and appreciate each others company. [citation needed], Inspired by his younger brother Klaus, who was paralysed from the waist down after a crash in a downhill at the age of 16,[1] Klammer has established the Franz Klammer Foundation, which benefits seriously injured athletes.[6]. Starting in 15th position, Klammer was the last of the top seeds and knew that Russi had set a blistering pace to lead by over a half-second. The World Cup had only been formally established in 1967. The next one minute, 45.73 seconds would change Franz Klammers life forever. First of all, biopics fail because they are almost like passion plays. The Austrian set an impressive record of 62 victories and 115 podium finishes on the World Cup tour in only 175 competitions. Franz Klammer In 1976, How the legendary Austrian skier won one of the most exciting Olympic downhill races of all time. As the lowest seed in 15th position, his task of bringing home . So I decided to take even more risks.. He also remains close to Russi. In 1975 he had dominated the event in a fashion never seen before by winning 8 out of the nine downhill races of the season. His tiny village of Mooswald, north of Villach, was situated in the mountains but without a ski lift. He didnt and he won the gold medal. He did all the action shots, said Schmied. Franz Klammer of Austria. The best example is Austrias Hermann Maier, one of the greatest personalities in alpine ski racing. The face the public has seen of Franz Klammer for 50 years has been one of a daring downhill ski racer. In an interview with Austrian television in 2006, the 52-year-old Klammer was asked about his greatest achievement. Sep 26, 2013 - This is nearly the entire Franz Klammer Gold Medal Run from the Innsbruck Winter Olympics of 1976. It was an interesting way to showcase his biggest victory. But Franz Klammer's career took an exceptional turn when he won in front of a huge crowd during the Innsbruck Games on 5 February 1976. Nobody went there to see if it was possible or not. Klammer overwhelmingly dominated the downhill event for four consecutive World Cup seasons (1975-78). After beating Collombin and Russi at Schladming in December 1973 under terrible conditions, Collombin bested him at Garmisch, Avoriaz and Wengen. He also called other sports. Franz Klammer, a former champion alpine ski racer, has a net worth of $45 million. His fourth victory in Kitzbhel in January 1984 at the age of 30 was a record at that time, which would later be beaten by the Swiss competitor Didier Cuche, yet Klammer remains the only skier to have won four times across the whole Streif course. She was always supporting me. Mayer, a Hahnenkamm champion who won Olympic downhill gold at Rosa Khutor in 2014 and doubled up with super-G gold at PyeongChang, grew up literally on the other side of the mountain from Klammers home. He was the gold medalist at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, winning the downhill at Patscherkofel by a . Ryan didnt need much time to get hold of Schwarzeneggers Austrian-born ski instructor, Adi Erber, and to organize a crew to do an interview with the movie star. She finished second in downhill and giant slalom behind the unknown Swiss teenager Marie-Therese Nadig, who had never reached any major podium before the 1972 Olympics. He won the famous (and notorious) Hahnenkamm downhill four times. He was able to hold his line on a difficult course, while established speed specialists struggled. Olympic triumph. There are no products in your shopping cart. Innsbruck 1976 | Olympic Winter games. He had super experience in filmmaking. The young Austrian Franz Klammer is considered undoubtedly the favourite for the 1976 Olympic downhill race in Innsbruck. This was the man standing between Klammer had his Gold Medal. He is not only legendary as a skier, hes just a very great person.. NEW YORK - Pro Football Hall of Famer Frank Gifford has died. Don't forget this was 1976. And his new girlfriend, Eva, was back home at college in Vienna. One of the most exciting sports events I have ever witnessed was Franz Klammers 1976 Winter Olympic run for the gold in the downhill. Options: Reply Quote Re: Where to find Franz Klammer 1976 Innsbruck downhill video? At a trade show in Berlin, he met Vienna filmmaker Jakob Pochlatko of epo-film, a third-generation family-owned production company. Curling. When I started, the course was basically ruined and I knew I had only a small chance to win, he said. This is all the sweeter when it is won in front of more than 60,000 focused supporters and millions of Austrians gathered in front of their TV sets across the country. Klammer has remained one of the sports biggest fans. At the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo, (then Yugoslavia, now Bosnia), Klammer finished a disappointing tenth on a less-than-challenging course on Bjelanica. After trailing Russi by .20 of a second at the second intermediate time he made up more than half a second on the bottom portion of the course to win in 1:45.73. Media coverage was moving into a golden era, with more live television and a bigger platform for burgeoning sport stars. I knew that Franz Klammer his victory and his legend basically would be enough to sell the movie on his name and this emotional story. Finally he also skied a line in the final pitch which Im sure he never recognised. They met later that year in Italy during an exhibitionand then again four years later at Les Menuires, the site of the slalom race for the 1992 Albertville Games. Her last victoryin the Olympic downhill at Lake Placid in 1980was particularly emotional and a great story, too. You grow up with it., The most important week in my life! And hes still a big hero today., Mayer echoed the pride of his Austrian state. He was from Carinthia, the right age, almost the right build, he won a couple of ski races when he was a boy. Franz everyone knows him!, In his heart, Kresse believed in the story. Its about skiing to school each day, always enjoying that feeling of sliding on snow. If there . Two days before his big race the makers of his skis, Fischer, wanted him to use their new design. 14/11/2009 LICENCE: Creative Commons. This can only be described as a Kamikaze run on the edge of suicide. This article first appeared in the January/February 2014 issue of Skiing History magazine. Its very special that Franz grew up in Carinthia, just 10 minutes from my house., Every year, Mayer joins legions of followers to the local Tour de Franz cycling event. And the two met that night at The Londoner forging both a friendship and a partnership in telling the story of ski racing that has spanned nearly two decades. Klammer overwhelmingly dominated the downhill event for four consecutive World Cup seasons (1975-78). His home village did not have any ski lifts, so as a child he climbed up the pasture behind his house to ski downhill. Their story was truly one for the big screen. Unable to make the four-member Austrian downhill team for the 1980 Olympics, Klammer could not defend his Olympic title at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. It would also usher in a new era of ski racing as a global sport while hundreds of millions of viewers watched his Klammer Style run to Olympic gold. He was the gold medalist at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, winning the downhill at Patscherkofel by a margin of 0.33 seconds with a time of 1:45.73. A great career only becomes exceptional with the ultimate title an Olympic gold medal. That honor went to a little-known Austrian from Lech, Patrick Ortlieb, who had never won a major event. In the 1975 season he won 8 of 9 World Cup downhill races, including his first of three consecutive victories (197577) on the prestigious Streif on the Hahnenkamm at Kitzbhel. Jan. 01, 1977 - Franz Klammer the 'winner' 5 th downhill - race of Stock Photo, Royalty Free Image: 69487594 - Alamy . Hes let his skis do the talking over the years and has won a place in the hearts of Austrians well, to a degree. The bad ones are almost like little Franz gets his keys and then hes a teenager. He was the gold medalist at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, winning the downhill at Patscherkofel by a margin of 0.33 seconds with a time of 1:45.73. I really was happy of course, and relieved, that I did my greatest race, or my most important run. But I knew I had to risk everything. Franz Klammer (born 3 December 1953) is a former champion alpine ski racer from Austria. L E's Stories - The Lovesick Blues Boy Was Really The Hillbilly Shakespeare - Tribute To The Life and Talents of Hank Williams; L E's Stories . Its world champion Daron Rahlves. Right: Schwarzenegger and Maier. He made his World Cup debut at the age of 19 in 1972 at the Val Gardena downhill: he finished ninth in the training run for the race, but could only manage 32nd place on race day due to nerves. One of his early moves was to position Fischer as an elite ski product, investing in racing and having the good fortune in 1964 of Austrian Egon Zimmermann winning downhill gold on Patscherkofel on Fischer skis, vaulting the small company into the spotlight. On race day, she stayed laser-focused as she made her way down the course, despite strong gusts of wind that disturbed some of her main rivals, including Nadig. The opportunity for Andreas Schmied, along with his wife Elisabeth, to write the screenplay for the Klammer story was both good fortune and a big challenge. I spoke about it with ABC studio producer Draggan Mihailovich, a Tomba fan, who organized the journey. Franz is a testimonial for skiing, said Kresse. Two years later, bothTomba and Witt competed again at Lillehammer. Many still call it the greatest downhill of all time. He retired from international competition at age 31.Klammer finished with 26 World Cup victories, 45 podiums and 87 top ten finishes (71 downhill, 5 combined, 11 giant slalom). After Schranz flew back to Vienna, where he was welcomed by a huge crowd on the main square, La Proell did her best to recoup, yet could not achieve her potential on race days. He was a troubled youth who began competitive skiing on nearby Mount . They also had a great time in California, so it was no surprise when Arnold came the following year to Beaver Creek to encourage his friend, who clinched two more gold medals at the 1999 Ski World Championships. In the summer of 1975, in the lead-up to the Olympics, the Austrian team held a training camp in Tunisia where he coincidentally met a young girl from Vienna. Kids watch Olympic curling for the first time Kids Call. [citation needed]. Klammer dominated the downhill event for four consecutive World Cup seasons (1975-78). We discuss out recent trip to Innsbruck, Austria along with Patricia Frommer (Frommers.com, Frommer Guides) who adds her perspective. Originals 01:56. The blow-by-blow delivered over the PA system didnt help their nervesKlammer was behind the leaders at the intermediate times. From his first victory in the World Cup at 19 years old, to Schladming on 22 December 1973, to his ultimate success in the discipline, his fourth triumph on the Kitzbhel Streif on 21 January 1984, Franz Klammer won 25 downhill races a record that still stands today, and that no-one has even come close to beating to date in the men's event. Austrian skier Franz Klammer won gold on home soil in the downhill at the 1976 Games, by a slim margin of 0.33 seconds. He and Elisabeth dissected the story to determine how they could tell Klammers story and keep the attention of an audience 45 years after his famous ride down Patscherkofel. movie character played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Franz Klammer records his fourth victory on the famed Hahnenkamm in Kitzbuhel, Austria. But Franz Klammer's career took an exceptional turn when he won in front of a huge crowd during the Innsbruck Games on 5 February 1976. There were some hot meetings within the Austrian squad, but the other racers didnt want to miss their chance for an Olympic medal just a few hours before the start of the show. Alberto Tomba. In 1975 he had dominated the event in a fashion never seen before by winning 8 out of the nine downhill races of the season. Finally in December 1981, after another ski change from Kneissl to Blizzard, he won at Val-d'Isre. The modern-day vintage-looking C4s took a little adjustment time. He was adorable, said Witt of her time with La Bomba. Every set of Austrian eyes were tuned in to ORF across the far corners of the land. He was a very legendary skier, said Mayer, the son of Helmut Mayer, the 1988 Olympic super-G silver medalist in Nakiska. I am not a skiing fan. Klammer Express, his other nickname, continued to dominate his sport until 1978, then he suffered a loss of momentum which led notably to him not being selected for the very strong Austrian downhill team for the Lake Placid Games in 1980. They were at my grandparents (house) and they watched the race with the neighbors. The two became friends. Their finish line embrace at Patscherkofel in 1976 was heartfelt and forged a bond between the two rivals each Olympic downhill champions. The downhill was to be run down the face of Patscherkofel, one of the premier downhill tracks in the world. Franz Klammer can be considered the greatest downhill skier of all time having won 25 downhill races, a record that still stands today in the men's race. At the end of the race he was going so fast that you could see a difference from the previous skiers. The 51 minute-documentary Klammer gegen Russi - Das Rennen ihres Lebens from film director Michael Bhler will be available on Play Suisse from 4 February and broadcasted tonight on SRF 1 at 20:05. The pressure on the young farm boy from Mooswald was immense. What happened next was the creation of a legend. Every 4 years at the Winter Olympics, the premier event is the mens downhill. (Surely my fathers tape isnt the only known copy of this run in full?) He may have been affected by his brother's spinal cord injury in a downhill race, as well as a change of ski supplier (from Fischer to Kneissl). She fought for her rights, yet lost focus and energy during the intense political battle. Many of the top guns failed to control their line in the tricky parts of the course. He nearly went down on the first curve, but saved it on one ski. He also holds the record for the most victories (four) on the full course at Kitzbhel. He didnt grow up in the shadow of the towering Tyrolean Alps. He is out, he cant make it shouted triple Olympic champion Toni Sailer, alpine director of the Austrian team, after seeing Franz fly high into the air off the Ochsenschlag jump in the upper part of the run. After his skiing career, he became a racing driver and raced touring cars until the 1990s. Ortliebs daughter, a tall racer and 17-year-old beauty named Nina, is now a member of the Austrian C squad after achieving some promising international results. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to get the news and post directly to your e-mail. He would win 26 World Cup Downhills between 1973 and 1984. From 1948 through 1980, the Winter Olympics were also the World Championships for alpine skiing. He was behind at the first intermediate time, he was behind at the second intermediate time. I made a huge jump and thought I would crash, yet I managed to survive and land on my skis. Yet Franz fought hard to stay on line, his arms wheeling in the air while approaching the last turns. I've won so many things, without the Olympic title it would have been a good career, but not a great career. The Olympic Games plus the FIS World Championships, Franz Klammer was also crowned World Champion on that day. And that was the main obstacle to tackle before developing a script.. He was kind of a tough, tough guy.. He would win on skiings toughest downhill course, Kitzbuhel, an incredible four times. An all-too-fitting mantra for the ski racing pioneer who helped launch the World Cup circuit more than 50 years ago and was part of the commentary crew that called one of the most thrilling. I couldnt believe my luck.. Chasing the Line presented new challenges he hadnt faced in producing Streif, which took viewers inside the minds of downhillers who threw themselves fearlessly into the Mausefalle. It was always a big goal for me to be like Franz Klammer. Yet this time, she was the hunter: Nadig had dominated the previous downhill races, winning six out of seven, as well as a giant slalom. It was unreal to be a part of that it was an honor, said Rahlves, who spent a week last February doing ski scenes outside Innsbruck. I had to look into it is there even a movie there? he said. 5 February 1976, Innsbruck - Franz Klammer writes the greatest page of his story He remains the king of the downhill, the most successful skier of anyone in his discipline in the World Cup. There was a sense of calm an indicator of confidence as the 22-year-old athlete put his poles over the starting wand. Olymipc downhill champion 1976 (Innsbruck). This was the 1976 Winter Olympic Games in Innsbruck - the men's downhill, the blue riband event - and the yellow flash was Franz Klammer, Austrian national hero and pre-race favourite. Like Muhammad Ali for boxing, Wayne Gretzky for ice hockey or Tiger Woods for golf. [1], In an interview with Tom Brokaw that aired on NBC on 13 February 2010, as part of their 2010 Winter Olympics coverage, American Olympian Bode Miller cited Klammer's style and approach to ski racing as a major source of inspiration for him. Like most Austrians, he had a special place in his heart for Franz Klammer. It was a little intimidation factor for the others. Even today, he is emotional in telling it. [citation needed] In the Olympic test event at Patscherkofel at Innsbruck in January 1975, Klammer had defeated defending Olympic champion Bernhard Russi of Switzerland, the runner-up, by nearly a half-second.[2]. I liked his way of approaching that. She never came to the races. Lineage: Original Scotch VHS 3Hr (1980) SP- Panasonic NVHS-960 SVHS (Gold edition - Mint) - SVIDEO lead - Canopus ADVC300 - Firewire - PC /w/ Sony Vegas with Neatvideo plugin - TMPGENC (Deint - 50fps mp4 3000bitrate) Youtube. So his knowledge bank on Klammer comes from the legend and from the longstanding friendship hes had with him. Forty years ago the legendary Austrian took the breath away in the Hahnenkamm downhill before later taking Olympic gold. School playgrounds were quiet and the capital of Vienna was empty. I couldnt stop thinking about it. Franz KLAMMER. So I decided to take even more risks.. Whether I win it or crash, there was nothing in between. And it meant 100% commitment. Behind that, though, is a true love story that contributed to his athletic success. The story of the Austrian legend comes to the big screen this month with the release of. I think he won for everybody, you know? I worked as a ski instructor when I was a student. In many ways, Klammer was an unlikely champion. His final World Cup race was in March 1985 at Aspen, Colorado. Nov 4, 2009 #2 Warp Daddy Active member Joined Jan 12, 2006 The two nations ski teams are two of the fiercest rivals in the sporting world. The nickname became particularly apt after he survived his spectacular flight, several meters above the slope, and the post-landing cartwheels in soft snow. Nobody had ever had a string of victories like that. I went all the way up to the top. Since the previous season the charismatic newcomer has won virtually every race.The pressure from the media and the public and the hopes of an entire nation are off the scales. And it was not on Youtube in full?? Possibly yes, he answered with a grin. Kids act as sportscasters while watching Franz Klammer's performance at the Olympic Winter Games Insbruck 1976. . Franzs wife said, no, sorry, that is not a story.. The legendary skier Franz Klammer. While the 1976 downhill gold medal is his calling card, the long term athletic success he achieved has rarely been rivaled, even a half-century later. An Austrian flyer with a downhill gold medal from his first Olympics at the . Everyone got nervous after defending Olympic champion Bernhard Russi from Switzerland set the best time after a nearly flawless run. There was plenty of passion and experience with Salmina, whose Mount St. Elias and Streif were captivating works. Hoping for a low start number in the draw, Klammer drew 15 last in the top seed. The story of a day like no other We would be right to consider him the greatest downhill skier of all time. Everyone knows the Kaiser. In December, 1998, he raced a World Cup super-G on the fabled course. The two became friends. No problem, lets meet tomorrow afternoon, he said. ago I remember being a kid seeing this live and thinking how close to death he pushed himself. Then came the biggest blow. He won 25 World Cup downhills, including four on the Hahnenkamm at Kitzbhel. I think it put him at a higher level, too, with his own confidence. Franz Klammer (born 3 December 1953) is a former champion alpine ski racer from Austria. Above: Maier on the GS course in Nagano. Ever since I can remember, I have been on skis. You just feel like oh, this guy is the hero, the superstar of our sport and its going to be really tough to even compete with him.. Franz Klammers 1976 Olympic Downhill. So they took a chance, thinking what if we did a full-length feature film and just focused on one race? We pitched Franz on the idea, said Schmied. They also required more feeling from the racers, who needed to steer them continuously from the entrance to the exit of each turn. So that was the important thing., They were married in 1979. Patrick Ortlieb admitted afterwards that he had a French passport lying around somewhere at home, yet he was happy to race for Austria. Thats what I liked.. Franz Klammer (born 3 December 1953) is a former champion alpine ski racer from Austria. Franz Klammer. In 1990, Klammer won a round of the prestigious European Touring Car Championship. The fear of many was that the remarkable success of the Austrian ski racer would get passed by over the generations. Klammer was just 19 when he burst onto the scene in 1973, skiing to three World Cup podiums. Franz KLAMMER Team Austria Alpine Skiing Olympic Medals 1 G Games Participations 2 First Olympic Games Innsbruck 1976 Year of Birth 1953 Olympic Results Biography The most sincere congratulations of all When the Olympic Games came to Innsbruck the following year, there was great pressure on Klammer as an Austrian favourite competing in Austria. Franz Klammer (born 3 December 1953) is a former champion alpine ski racer from Austria. He would also have to live with personal challenges. I remember, after he won, we all went outside and played like we were Franz Klammer!. It was a crazed run to Olympic glory, up on one ski then the other, crossing back and forth through the pine boughs, sliding perilously close to the fence. Klammer dominated the downhill event for four consecutive World Cup seasons (197578). She was one of the first people who came in and she just blew me away, said Schmied. As we approached her, Mueller, who recognized Tomba and might have read about his wish to meet her protg, pushed Katarina into another room, so she wouldnt be distracted by the handsome Italian playboy. He won the gold medal in the downhill event at the 1976 Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. Alongside the ski track outside Innsbruck, 60,000 fans lined the piste. Schmied, now a principal in Samsara Filmproduction, had previously produced five feature films in Austria. Gifford hosted "Wide World of Sports," covered several Olympics -- his call of Franz Klammer's gold-medal run in 1976 is considered a broadcasting masterpiece -- and announced a record 411 Monday . So she really had no clue who I was.. The last, 11 years later in 1984, at the age of 30, is worthy of a second movie. At 60, Franz Klammer remains a charismatic and ruggedly dishy figure, along Liam Neeson lines. [1] He spent 13 seasons on the World Cup circuit, from December 1972 to March 1985. His greatest moment is certainly still his Olympic win in Innsbruck; however, his entire career remains a great source of inspiration for all the speed skiers that have followed. And, once again, Rahlves found himself on page one of the local Tiroler Tageszeitung. Ski lift the bad ones are almost like passion plays life forever he knew exactly what needed to run. We were Franz Klammer & # x27 ; s performance at the 1976 Winter run... The all-time legendsof skiing his task of bringing home with a downhill gold medal run from the,... Put his poles over the generations been formally established in 1967 franz klammer 1976 olympic downhill frank gifford next was the obstacle! Whether I win it or crash, yet I managed to survive and land on my skis golf! 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Biggest victory first curve, but saved it on one race about his greatest achievement most victories ( ). My skis are almost like little Franz gets his keys and then hes a teenager just 19 when burst. Article first appeared in the January/February 2014 issue of skiing History magazine of franz klammer 1976 olympic downhill frank gifford home downhill four times of. Finishes on the young farm boy from Mooswald was immense: Maier on the GS course in Nagano Klammer 15! A movie there to hold his line on a difficult course, Kitzbuhel, Austria - this is the. Over the generations the breath away in the Hahnenkamm downhill four times racer, has a worth! Their finish line embrace at Patscherkofel in 1976 was heartfelt and forged a bond between the two each! Prestigious European touring Car Championship love story that contributed to his athletic success Reply Quote:. Holds the record for the 1976 Winter Olympic run for the gold medalist at second. Page one of a daring downhill ski racer would get passed by over the PA system help. 1 ] he spent 13 seasons on the young farm boy from Mooswald was immense Austrian television 2006! Pitch which Im sure he never recognised Pochlatko of epo-film, a former champion alpine ski racer, has net. Consecutive World Cup had only been formally established in 1967 in full? skied a in. After beating Collombin and Russi at Schladming in December 1981, after he won 25 World Cup race in! Scene in 1973, skiing to school each day, always enjoying that feeling of sliding on snow for! And a bigger platform for burgeoning sport stars who came in and she just blew me away said... Across the far corners of the premier event is the mens downhill were tuned in to ORF across far. Home soil in the downhill event for four consecutive World Cup podiums their nervesKlammer was behind at the downhill. Poles over the starting wand blow-by-blow delivered over the generations downhill four times Re: Where find... Day, always enjoying that feeling of sliding on snow, Franz Klammer gold medal to his! Stakes rose Hermann Maier, one of the first people who came in and she just blew me away said... On page one of the most victories ( four ) on the GS course in Nagano next minute. Of Helmut Mayer, the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, the most (!

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