Alexander Vasilyevich Zhirov was a Soviet alpine skier who began skiing in his village in Russia as a teenager. He joined CSKA at age 15 where he trained under Victor Talynova. Zhirov went on to become a repeated champion of the USSR and winner of the 4th stage of the world cup, specializing in slalom and giant slalom. Considered a genius by fellow skier Ingemar Stenmark, Zhirov sadly passed away in 1983.