Masashi Abe

A four-time Japanese national champion, Masashi Abe never won an individual event in his nine seasons on the World Cup circuit although he recorded six podium finishes and was fourth in the overall standings in 1992-93. It was as part of the Japanese team that he produced his greatest performances as he was part of the squad that sandwiched Olympic gold between two World Championship titles between 1993 and 1995. Two years after being dropped from the team on the eve of competition at Albertville he had the honour of anchoring his team home across the line to victory at Lillehammer. He retired from international competition after the 1995 World Championships but remained in the sport as a coach.