1. Early Life and Career Beginnings
Carina Vogt's journey into ski jumping began at a young age, leading her to become a pioneering figure in the sport.
1.1. Birthplace and Early Life
Carina Vogt was born on February 5, 1992, in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Standing at 5.6 ft (1.71 m), her early life in this region set the stage for her future athletic endeavors.
1.2. Start in Ski Jumping
Vogt began ski jumping at the age of six, joining Ski-Club Degenfeld. She made her international debut in 2004. Her early career saw her participate in junior competitions, including the FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships. She placed fourth in 2007, fifth in 2010, and eighth in 2011. In 2012, at the Junior World Championships in Erzurum, Turkey, she earned a bronze medal in the individual event and a silver medal in the women's team event.
2. Competitive Career
Carina Vogt's competitive career spanned over a decade, marked by significant achievements at the highest levels of ski jumping, including World Cup victories, World Championship titles, and an Olympic gold.
2.1. Debut and Early Career
Vogt's international career progressed from junior events to senior competitions. She participated in the FIS Ski Jumping Continental Cup from 2006 to 2012. Her debut in the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup occurred in January 2012 in Hinterzarten, Germany. In the 2012/13 season, she achieved her first World Cup podium finish, securing third place at the Zaō competition in Yamagata, Japan, on February 9, 2013.
2.2. Major Competition Results
Carina Vogt's career was highlighted by her consistent performance and medal-winning success at major international championships.
2.2.1. Junior World Championships
Vogt competed in several Junior World Championships, demonstrating her early potential. In 2007, she finished fourth in the individual event. She placed fifth in 2010 and eighth in 2011. Her most notable achievements at this level came in 2012, when she secured a bronze medal in the individual competition and a silver medal in the women's team event at the championships held in Erzurum.
2.2.2. FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
Vogt was a dominant force at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, accumulating five gold medals and one bronze medal.
| Year | Normal hill | Large hill | Team NH | Mixed team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 5 | - | 3 | |
| 2015 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 2017 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 2019 | 10 | 1 | - | |
| 2021 | 30 | - | - | - |
At the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2013 in Val di Fiemme, Italy, she won a bronze medal in the mixed normal hill competition alongside her German teammates Ulrike Gräßler, Richard Freitag, and Severin Freund.
In 2015, at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2015 in Falun, Sweden, Vogt achieved a remarkable double gold. She won the gold medal in the individual normal hill competition. She then secured another gold medal in the mixed normal hill team event, competing with Richard Freitag, Katharina Althaus, and Severin Freund.
Vogt successfully defended both of her titles two years later at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2017 in Lahti, Finland. She once again claimed gold in the individual normal hill event. In the mixed normal hill team competition, she won her second consecutive gold with German teammates Markus Eisenbichler, Svenja Würth, and Andreas Wellinger.
Her final World Championship gold came at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2019 in Seefeld, Austria, where she was part of the winning women's team normal hill, a newly introduced event. Her teammates for this victory were Juliane Seyfarth, Ramona Straub, and Katharina Althaus. In the individual normal hill event at the same championships, she placed tenth.
2.2.3. Winter Olympics
Carina Vogt made history at the Winter Olympics, becoming the first female ski jumper to win an Olympic gold medal.
At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Vogt won the gold medal in the women's normal hill individual event. This victory was particularly significant as it marked the inaugural Olympic women's ski jumping competition, making her the first female Olympic champion in the sport's history.
She continued her Olympic participation at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, where she finished fifth in the women's normal hill individual event.
2.3. FIS Ski Jumping World Cup
Vogt's World Cup career included consistent top-ten finishes and two individual victories.
2.3.1. Season Standings
Her performance in the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup varied across seasons, with her highest overall ranking being second in 2013/14 and third in 2014/15.
| Season | Overall | Silvester Tournament | Lillehammer Triple | Raw Air | Blue Bird Tour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011/12 | 27 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2012/13 | 7 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2013/14 | 2 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2014/15 | 3 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2015/16 | 11 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2016/17 | 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2017/18 | 6 | N/A | 5 | N/A | N/A |
| 2018/19 | 9 | N/A | 8 | 14 | 16 |
| 2020/21 | 32 | N/A | N/A | N/A | - |
| 2021/22 | - | 48 | N/A | - | N/A |
2.3.2. Individual Wins and Podiums
Vogt achieved a total of two individual World Cup victories, 11 second-place finishes, and 9 third-place finishes during her career up to the 2020/21 season. Her personal best jump was 443 ft (135 m) on the Paul-Ausserleitner-Schanze in Bischofshofen, Austria.
| No. | Season | Date | Location | Hill | Size | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | 2012/13 | February 9, 2013 | Zaō, Japan | Yamagata HS100 | NH | 3rd |
| - | 2013/14 | December 22, 2013 | Hinterzarten, Germany | HS108 | NH | 3rd |
| January 3, 2014 | Chaykovsky, Russia | HS106 | NH | 2nd | ||
| January 4, 2014 | Chaykovsky, Russia | HS106 | NH | 2nd | ||
| January 11, 2014 | Sapporo, Japan | HS100 | NH | 2nd | ||
| January 18, 2014 | Zaō, Japan | HS100 | NH | 3rd | ||
| January 19, 2014 | Zaō, Japan | HS100 | NH | 2nd | ||
| January 25, 2014 | Planica, Slovenia | HS95 | NH | 3rd | ||
| January 26, 2014 | Planica, Slovenia | HS95 | NH | 3rd | ||
| - | 2014/15 | January 11, 2015 | Sapporo, Japan | HS100 | NH | 2nd |
| 1 | January 18, 2015 | Zaō, Japan | Yamagata HS100 | NH | 1st | |
| January 24, 2015 | Oberstdorf, Germany | HS106 | NH | 2nd | ||
| January 25, 2015 | Oberstdorf, Germany | HS106 | NH | 2nd | ||
| January 31, 2015 | Hinzenbach, Austria | HS94 | NH | 2nd | ||
| 2 | February 1, 2015 | Hinzenbach, Austria | Aigner-Schanze HS94 | NH | 1st | |
| - | 2016/17 | February 4, 2017 | Hinzenbach, Austria | HS94 | NH | 3rd |
| February 5, 2017 | Hinzenbach, Austria | HS94 | NH | 2nd | ||
| February 12, 2017 | Ljubno, Slovenia | HS95 | NH | 2nd | ||
| - | 2017/18 | December 1, 2017 | Lillehammer, Norway | HS100 | NH | 3rd |
| March 3, 2018 | Râșnov, Romania | HS97 | NH | 3rd | ||
| - | 2018/19 | January 20, 2019 | Zaō, Japan | HS102 | NH | 3rd |
| January 26, 2019 | Râșnov, Romania | HS97 | NH | 2nd |
3. Injuries and Later Career
Carina Vogt's later career was significantly impacted by a severe injury that affected her ability to compete at her previous level.
In July 2019, Vogt suffered a serious injury during training, tearing her ACL. This injury severely hampered her performance and limited her participation in subsequent seasons. Following the injury, her World Cup rankings saw a decline, finishing 32nd in the 2020/21 season and not registering a full ranking in 2021/22. She also placed 30th in the individual normal hill at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2021 in Oberstdorf, Germany.
4. Retirement
After a distinguished career, Carina Vogt announced her retirement from professional ski jumping in May 2022.
On May 20, 2022, Vogt officially declared her retirement from the sport. She cited physical decline and the cumulative effects of her injuries as primary reasons for her decision, stating that she felt a physical deterioration.
5. Legacy and Impact
Carina Vogt's career left an indelible mark on the sport of ski jumping, particularly for women, and her achievements continue to be recognized.
5.1. Pioneering Role in Women's Ski Jumping
Carina Vogt holds a unique place in the history of ski jumping as the first female athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in the sport. Her victory at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics was a groundbreaking moment, significantly raising the profile and visibility of women's ski jumping on the global stage. Her success helped to legitimize and popularize the sport for female athletes, inspiring a new generation of women to pursue ski jumping professionally.
5.2. Overall Achievements and Recognition
Throughout her career, Carina Vogt amassed an impressive record of accomplishments. In addition to her historic Olympic gold, she secured five gold medals and one bronze medal at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, demonstrating her consistent excellence in both individual and team events. Her two individual World Cup victories and numerous podium finishes further underscore her status as one of the sport's top athletes. Vogt's contributions extended beyond her medals; she was a consistent presence at the top of the sport for many years, known for her dedication and competitive spirit. Her career total includes 22 individual podiums and 2 team podiums in the World Cup, from 124 individual starts and 5 team starts. She was a key member of the German national team, contributing to multiple team successes.