GALLERY

This may look like a very long lift line, but actually, it's the start of the Engadin cross-country race in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Bill Koch battled 12,000 skiers and a blizzard over a 42-km. course to become the first American ever to win the prestigious event. The line of champions in other sports was also long in 1981. Alberto Salazar of Eugene, Ore. set a world record of 2:08:13 in the New York City Marathon, and so did New Zealand's Allison Roe, whose time was 2:25:29. In auto racing, Bobby Unser won the Indianapolis 500 twice; officials temporarily awarded the race to Mario Andretti because Unser had passed cars under a yellow flag. Swimmer Mary T. Meagher set world records in the 100- and 200-meter butterfly events. Earl Anthony was the leading money-winner on the Professional Bowling Association's tour for the fourth time. And, now that the Chinese Year of the Dog has begun, here's a pat on the head for the dog of the year, Ch. Dhandy's Favorite Woodchuck, a pug that was the best-in-show at Westminster.

Connie Saylor was unhurt after his Olds flipped at Daytona. Seb Coe's dancing sister, Miranda, shows a mile of leg in her dressing room at Reno's MGM Grand.

Roe doubled up, winning in both Boston and New York.

Salazar promised—and delivered—a record time in New York City.

Iceboating has its ups and downs, as the racers on Wisconsin's Lake Mendota discover. Ping-Pong diplomacy found its way to Princeton when the Chinese team batted down the opposition at the U.S. Open.

Bob Erickson's team rides high in the world offshore powerboat championships near Key West. With 1981 in its wake, the U.S. team couldn't get into the swim of things at the 1982 International. Soviet defector Viktor Korchnoi stares at humiliation in the world chess championship.

This World Speed Skiing contestant was red-hot, even in ice and snow.

ELEVEN PHOTOS