Winning a bronze medal in the women’s downhill of the 1972 Winter Olympic Games in Japan was “just a lot of fun” for Susan Corrock. She reached Sapporo as an “always-happy-and-bubbling-with life” 20 year-old with her own philosophy as to how best to achieve in ski racing.

Susan Corrock was born in Seattle, Washington in 1951, began skiing when she was five and raced for the first time when she was ten. Susan’s brother, Ken and sister, Anne were both excellent competitive skiers. The three of them were coached by their father, Jack, making it a real family affair.

Skiing became serious fun for Susan during the 1968 Silver Belt at Sugar Bowl in California when she finished third behind Gertrud Gable and Marilyn Cochran. It became evident in 1968 that the trio of Corrocks were entering “big time” competition when Susan placed second in the downhill and fourth in the slalom at the United States Ski Association Junior Nationals in Bozeman, Montana. That was her first top national rating and won her placement on the U.S. “hopeful” squad.

In 1969 she raced throughout the U.S., honing skills during a season which saw brother, Ken place second in the National Combined.

She won the USSA National Giant Slalom title in 1970 and had some excellent international experience on the World Cup Circuit. Susan was named to the U.S. 1972 Olympic Squad and won the bronze medal in the downhill only one second behind silver medalist, Annemarie Proell of Austria. For Susan it was the best run of her career and she said, “I didn’t make any mistakes.”

The Olympic year of 1972 also saw U.S. skiers in Europe. Susan placed 5th in a World Cup Slalom in Italy, 8th in a World Cup Downhill in Switzerland and then 5th in the World Cup Downhill at Crystal Mountain, Washington to score 7th place in World Cup Downhill standings.
She turned professional in 1974 and was the World Professional Combined Champion in 1975.

Susan Corrock was elected to the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame in 1976.