Prince von Hohenlohe of Mexico Unveils Mariachi-Themed Sochi Alpine Race Suit Barry Petchesky - Deadspin
go to original January 27, 2014

Mexican Alpine skier Prince Hubertus von Hohenlohe will wear a mariachi-themed race suit when he competes in his sixth Olympics in Sochi. (Hubertus von Hohenlohe)

Say hello to Prince Hubertus von Hohenlohe, who at age 55 will be the second-oldest winter Olympian in history when he competes (in this mariachi-inspired uniform) in the slalom for Mexico. But there's more to Hubertus than his flashy outfit. There's a reason NBC has dubbed him "The most interesting Olympian in the world."

First off, yes, he's a prince. (Sort of. He's descended from the royal family of a German principality that hasn't existed for 208 years. But he still gets to call himself Prince Hubertus, which you absolutely would if you could.)

Second, he's not particularly Mexican. According to him, he's about one-eighth Mexican. He was born there, seemingly for the novelty: "We always wanted to have one member of the family [who was] Mexican," he says. "So they chose that I was going to be born in Mexico. That was the idea."

He grew up in, lives in, and competes in Austria, but it's naturally easier to qualify for the Olympics as the only half-decent winter Olympian in the country. And he's been doing it for a while. These will be his sixth Games, dating all the way back to 1984. He's never medaled, and isn't expected to do so in the slalom at Sochi, but skiing is just another fun thing you do when you're Prince Hubertus.

Read the rest at Deadspin

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