Kalle Palander

Kalle Markus Palander (born 2 May 1977) is a Finnish retired alpine skier, the most successful male Finn ever in the sport.

Career In 1999 Palander won the world championship in slalom. He also won the Alpine skiing World Cup in slalom during the 2002–2003 season, and was fourth in the overall standings. Palander has also been successful in giant slalom. He is known for his relaxed attitude and for wearing a red toque instead of a helmet when participating in slalom competitions.

World Cup victories

Overall victories

World Cup victories

Date Location Race 26 January 2003 Kitzbühel Slalom 28 January 2003 Schladming Slalom 2 March 2003 Yongpyong Slalom 8 March 2003 Shigakogen Slalom 23 November 2003 Park City Slalom 14 December 2003 Alta Badia Giant slalom 4 January 2004 Flachau Slalom 24 January 2004 Kitzbühel Slalom 7 February 2004 Adelboden Giant slalom 14 March 2004 Sestrière Slalom 24 January 2006 Schladming Slalom 11 March 2006 Shigakogen Slalom 17 December 2006 Alta Badia Giant slalom 16 December 2007 Alta Badia Giant slalom

Personal life Palander has three children (born in 2007, 2012 and 2012) with Riina-Maija Palander , to whom he has been married since 2007. Palander also has a daughter born in Norway in 1999 to a Norwegian woman.

In 2011, Palander bought in Estonia, where he occasionally resides. He has also lived in Monaco and France.