Organ transplant saved William Besse’s life: ex-Lauberhorn winner quickly makes Murisier with a new liver

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The fact that Justin Murisier is increasingly developing from giant slalom specialist (20 World Cup rankings in the top ten) to world-class downhill skier (7th place in Bormio) is also thanks to his prominent cousin William Besse. The man with the distinctive mustache won four World Cup downhill races between 1992 and 1994 and is now one of Justin’s most important advisors. Last year, the Valais native almost lost his mentor – Besse struggled with death after a serious liver disease.

The drama surrounding the now 55-year-old started in the summer of 2008. “I actually felt very good then. But I thought to myself that at the age of forty it was time to undergo an intensive medical check-up. And an autoimmune disease was discovered,” says Besse.

Murisier explains why his cousin’s diagnosis not only shocked him, but also made him very angry. “There are people who drink and smoke all their lives and still live to be over 80 years old. I therefore thought it was particularly unfair that William, with his serious lifestyle, became so seriously ill at such a young age.

“We had to fear the worst!”

Because Besse never drank much alcohol and also exercised intensively after his retirement as a racing driver, he was able to live well with this disease for several years. But last fall, Murisier realized that his cousin was going downhill dramatically. “William was completely emaciated and his voice was broken. You really had to expect the worst.”

But on December 12, a phone call from the hospital in Geneva heralded a change for the better. “I was told that they had found the right donor organ for me and that transport had been arranged to pick me up at home.”

The father of two emphasizes that he only thought positively in this situation. «I was not at all afraid of this transplant because I trusted the doctors who had explained everything to me in detail beforehand. That’s why the day of the transplant was almost a normal day for me.”

If the immune system is too strong, the liver can reject it

In fact, on December 13, this procedure went smoothly and without any complications. Besse realizes how lucky he has been: “In Switzerland, around 150 people die every year because they cannot receive a suitable organ. And I’m sure I wouldn’t be alive today if I hadn’t gotten a new liver.”

But what is the quality of life with the new organ? “I still need a little more recovery time than before, but I’m doing better. If nothing happens, I will soon be able to work 100 percent again. I can now ski again without any problems.”

To maintain this condition, Besse must take about ten tablets every day. But they don’t just serve to strengthen you. “I also have to take pills to weaken the immune system. If my immune system were too strong, there was a risk that the body would reject the new liver.

Master of Aerodynamics

The 1994 Lauberhorn winner embodies enough energy to boost Justin Murisier’s speed career. «Thanks to William I can make great progress, especially in the field of aerodynamics. “He is an absolute master in this field,” says Marco Odermatt’s roommate enthusiastically.

Besse nods: “I always see drivers on TV who can gain a lot of time in a corner with their ingenious technique, but this time they immediately lose it because the position of their hands is not sufficiently aerodynamic. Justin has the optimal technique and courage for the descent. If he continues to develop in the field of aerodynamics, he can become a major player in this discipline.”

At the last World Cup downhill, Murisier was on course for bronze until the last bend before a blow caused him to lose the correct timing and the medal. But we can assume that Murisier will recover this winter thanks to Besse’s input.

Source : Blick