Alberto Tomba signed off his career in style with his 50th World Cup win in the World Cup Finals at Crans Montana in 1998. Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty
Tomba on his way to gold at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, where he won the slalom and giant slalom crowns. Philipe Boucher/AFP/Getty
Tomba's double gold in Canada catapulted him to world stardom at just 21 years of age. AFP/Getty Images
Tomba is mobbed by adoring fans after a sensational second leg saw him claim the slalom silver medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Tomba congratulates Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States after her victory in the women's slalom at the 2013 World Championships in Schladming. Alexander Klein/AFP/Getty
Tomba said his double gold performance at the 1996 World Championships in Sierra Nevada was the highlight of his career. Mike Powell/Getty Images
Tomba's bid for gold in the giant slalom at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano was ended by a fall. Mark Sandten/Bongarts/Getty
Tomba suffers an undignified fall during a charity race in Croatia in 2008. Hrvope Polan/AFP/Getty
Tomba carries the Olympic torch into the stadium at the opening ceremony for the 2006 Winter Games in Turin. Franck Fife/AFP/Getty