Dominik Paris revels in the craziness of the world of a downhill skier, hurtling down the mountain side at speeds of up to 150 kph (93 mph).
Dominik Paris revels in the craziness of the world of a downhill skier, hurtling down the mountain side at speeds of up to 150 kph (93 mph).
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But off the slopes, one of skiing's more colorful characters loves nothing more than singing with his death metal band 5 Full Power.
But off the slopes, one of skiing's more colorful characters loves nothing more than singing with his death metal band 5 Full Power.
Dominik Paris
He describes it more as "growling" than singing, and says the band's music is "crazy" and "the louder the better."
He describes it more as "growling" than singing, and says the band's music is "crazy" and "the louder the better."
Dominik Paris
Paris took the unusual step of disappearing into the Swiss Alps to become a herdsman in order to focus himself on a career in skiing.
Paris took the unusual step of disappearing into the Swiss Alps to become a herdsman in order to focus himself on a career in skiing.
Dominik Paris
He says the move at the age of 18 was the making of him and ended his partying ways.
He says the move at the age of 18 was the making of him and ended his partying ways.
Dominik Paris
Now 26, he is preparing to take to the start gate of the first downhill of the 2015-16 season in Lake Louise, Canada.
Now 26, he is preparing to take to the start gate of the first downhill of the 2015-16 season in Lake Louise, Canada.
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Last season, Paris was seventh overall in the World Cup standings and was runner-up in the men's super-G discipline behind Kjetil Jansrud.
Last season, Paris was seventh overall in the World Cup standings and was runner-up in the men's super-G discipline behind Kjetil Jansrud.
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Winning the prestigious Kitzbuhel downhill in 2013, in front of an estimated crowd of 60,000 people, is one of Paris' career highlights.
Winning the prestigious Kitzbuhel downhill in 2013, in front of an estimated crowd of 60,000 people, is one of Paris' career highlights.
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He also picked up a silver medal in the downhill at the 2013 world championships, only for his family to be immersed in tragedy a few months later with the death of his brother Rene.
He also picked up a silver medal in the downhill at the 2013 world championships, only for his family to be immersed in tragedy a few months later with the death of his brother Rene.
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Paris admits that he struggled to focus on skiing following the tragedy, losing concentration in races and eventually crashing out and injuring himself.
Paris admits that he struggled to focus on skiing following the tragedy, losing concentration in races and eventually crashing out and injuring himself.
ALEXANDER KLEIN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
But last season marked a return to some of his best form and he is confident he will fly down the world's toughest courses in 2015 and 2016.
But last season marked a return to some of his best form and he is confident he will fly down the world's toughest courses in 2015 and 2016.
OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
As for the landscape ahead this season, Paris has his work cut out to end the dominance of regular overall champion Marcel Hirscher.
As for the landscape ahead this season, Paris has his work cut out to end the dominance of regular overall champion Marcel Hirscher.
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