1. Overview
Eric Frenzel (born Eric FrenzelEric FrenzelGerman on November 21, 1988) is a German former Nordic combined skier and currently serves as a discipline coach for the German Nordic combined team. He is widely regarded as one of the most dominant and successful athletes in the history of Nordic combined. Frenzel holds the record for the most overall World Cup victories, securing the title five consecutive times. His illustrious career includes three gold, one silver, and two bronze medals at the Olympic Games, alongside seven gold, seven silver, and three bronze medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. In February 2020, the official Olympic website lauded him as one of the greatest athletes in Nordic combined history.
2. Early Life and Background
Eric Frenzel was born on November 21, 1988, in Annaberg-Buchholz, a town that was part of East Germany at the time. He is the son of Uwe and Silke Frenzel.
3. Personal Life
Eric Frenzel is married to Laura Frenzel. The couple has three children. Their eldest son was born in 2006, followed by a second son in September 2015, and a daughter in June 2017. He is 5.8 ft (1.76 m) tall.
4. Athletic Career
Eric Frenzel's career in Nordic combined is marked by consistent development and numerous high-profile achievements at both junior and senior levels, culminating in a record-setting tenure in the World Cup and significant Olympic and World Championship successes. His personal best ski jump is 651 ft (198.5 m), achieved at Oberstdorf on March 17, 2022.
4.1. Junior Career and World Cup Debut
Eric Frenzel made his debut in the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup during the 2006-2007 season. In 2007, he achieved early international success at the FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships, securing a gold medal in the sprint event and a silver medal in the team competition. His first individual World Cup victory came on January 20, 2008, in a mass start event held in Klingenthal, Germany.
4.2. Major International Competitions
Throughout his career, Eric Frenzel was a dominant force in major international competitions, including the Olympic Games and the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, consistently earning medals across various disciplines.
4.2.1. Olympic Games Performances
Frenzel participated in multiple Winter Olympics, consistently achieving top results and earning several medals.
| Event | Normal hill | Large hill | Team relay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Vancouver | 10 | 40 | Bronze |
| 2014 Sochi | Gold | 10 | Silver |
| 2018 Pyeongchang | Gold | Bronze | Gold |
| 2022 Beijing | - | - | Silver |
4.2.2. FIS Nordic World Ski Championships Performances
Frenzel also excelled at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, amassing a significant collection of medals.
| Year | Individual LH | Individual NH | Team | Team sprint/ Mixed team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 Sapporo | - | 22 | - | - |
| 2009 Liberec | 29 | 34 | Silver | 8 |
| 2011 Oslo | Bronze | Gold | Silver | Silver |
| 2013 Val di Fiemme | Gold | 4 | 6 | Bronze |
| 2015 Falun | 10 | 4 | Gold | Silver |
| 2017 Lahti | 7 | Silver | Gold | Gold |
| 2019 Seefeld | Gold | 16 | Silver | Gold |
| 2021 Oberstdorf | 4 | 4 | Silver | Bronze |
| 2023 Planica | - | 10 | Silver | - |
4.3. FIS Nordic Combined World Cup Record
Eric Frenzel's career in the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup is distinguished by his remarkable consistency and an unprecedented winning streak, making him the most decorated athlete in the competition's history.
4.3.1. Overall Standings
Frenzel is particularly known for his five consecutive overall World Cup championship titles, a feat unmatched in Nordic combined.
| Season | Overall | Sprint |
|---|---|---|
| 2006/07 | - | - |
| 2007/08 | 7 | 9 |
| 2008/09 | 11 | N/A |
| 2009/10 | 4 | N/A |
| 2010/11 | 4 | N/A |
| 2011/12 | 6 | N/A |
| 2012/13 | 1 | N/A |
| 2013/14 | 1 | N/A |
| 2014/15 | 1 | N/A |
| 2015/16 | 1 | N/A |
| 2016/17 | 1 | N/A |
| 2017/18 | 8 | N/A |
| 2018/19 | 12 | N/A |
| 2019/20 | 7 | N/A |
| 2020/21 | 5 | N/A |
4.3.2. Individual Victories
Eric Frenzel amassed 43 individual victories in the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup throughout his career, making him one of the most successful athletes in individual events.
| No. | Season | Date | Location | Hill | Size | Discipline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007/08 | January 20, 2008 | Germany Klingenthal | Vogtland Arena HS140 | LH | Mass Start |
| 2 | 2009/10 | January 30, 2010 | Austria Seefeld | Toni-Seelos-Olympiaschanze HS100 | NH | Gundersen |
| 3 | 2011/12 | December 4, 2011 | Norway Lillehammer | Lysgårdsbakken HS138 | LH | Penalty Race |
| 4 | 2012/13 | January 19, 2013 | Austria Seefeld | Toni-Seelos-Olympiaschanze HS109 | NH | Gundersen |
| 5 | January 20, 2013 | Austria Seefeld | Toni-Seelos-Olympiaschanze HS109 | NH | Gundersen | |
| 6 | January 26, 2013 | Germany Klingenthal | Vogtland Arena HS140 | LH | Gundersen | |
| 7 | January 27, 2013 | Germany Klingenthal | Vogtland Arena HS140 | LH | Penalty Race | |
| 8 | March 8, 2013 | Finland Lahti | Salpausselkä HS130 | LH | Gundersen | |
| 9 | March 15, 2013 | Norway Oslo | Holmenkollbakken HS134 | LH | Gundersen | |
| 10 | 2013/14 | November 30, 2013 | Finland Kuusamo | Rukatunturi HS142 | LH | Gundersen |
| 11 | December 8, 2013 | Norway Lillehammer | Lysgårdsbakken HS138 | LH | Gundersen | |
| 12 | December 15, 2013 | Austria Ramsau | W90-Mattensprunganlage HS98 | NH | Gundersen | |
| 13 | January 17, 2014 | Austria Seefeld | Toni-Seelos-Olympiaschanze HS109 | NH | Sprint | |
| 14 | January 18, 2014 | Austria Seefeld | Toni-Seelos-Olympiaschanze HS109 | NH | Gundersen | |
| 15 | January 19, 2014 | Austria Seefeld | Toni-Seelos-Olympiaschanze HS109 | NH | Gundersen | |
| 16 | January 26, 2014 | Germany Oberstdorf | Schattenbergschanze HS137 | LH | Gundersen | |
| 17 | 2014/15 | December 6, 2014 | Norway Lillehammer | Lysgårdsbakken HS138 | LH | Gundersen |
| 18 | January 10, 2015 | France Chaux-Neuve | La Côté Feuillée HS118 | LH | Gundersen | |
| 19 | January 16, 2015 | Austria Seefeld | Toni-Seelos-Olympiaschanze HS109 | NH | Sprint | |
| 20 | January 17, 2015 | Austria Seefeld | Toni-Seelos-Olympiaschanze HS109 | NH | Gundersen | |
| 21 | January 18, 2015 | Austria Seefeld | Toni-Seelos-Olympiaschanze HS109 | NH | Gundersen | |
| 22 | January 23, 2015 | Japan Sapporo | Ōkurayama HS134 | LH | Gundersen | |
| 23 | January 24, 2015 | Japan Sapporo | Ōkurayama HS134 | LH | Gundersen | |
| 24 | 2015/16 | December 20, 2015 | Austria Ramsau | W90-Mattensprunganlage HS98 | NH | Gundersen |
| 25 | January 23, 2016 | France Chaux-Neuve | La Côté Feuillée HS118 | LH | Gundersen | |
| 26 | January 29, 2016 | Austria Seefeld | Toni-Seelos-Olympiaschanze HS109 | NH | Sprint | |
| 27 | January 30, 2016 | Austria Seefeld | Toni-Seelos-Olympiaschanze HS109 | NH | Gundersen | |
| 28 | January 31, 2016 | Austria Seefeld | Toni-Seelos-Olympiaschanze HS109 | NH | Gundersen | |
| 29 | February 10, 2016 | Norway Trondheim | Granåsen HS140 | LH | Gundersen | |
| 30 | February 19, 2016 | Finland Lahti | Salpausselkä HS130 | LH | Gundersen | |
| 31 | March 5, 2016 | Germany Schonach | Langenwaldschanze HS106 | NH | Gundersen | |
| 32 | 2016/17 | December 3, 2016 | Norway Lillehammer | Lysgårdsbakken HS100 | NH | Gundersen |
| 33 | December 4, 2016 | Norway Lillehammer | Lysgårdsbakken HS138 | LH | Gundersen | |
| 34 | December 18, 2016 | Austria Ramsau | W90-Mattensprunganlage HS98 | NH | Gundersen | |
| 35 | January 7, 2017 | Finland Lahti | Salpausselkä HS130 | LH | Gundersen | |
| 36 | January 13, 2017 | Italy Val di Fiemme | Trampolino dal Ben HS134 | LH | Gundersen | |
| 37 | January 15, 2017 | Italy Val di Fiemme | Trampolino dal Ben HS134 | LH | Gundersen | |
| 38 | January 29, 2017 | Austria Seefeld | Toni-Seelos-Olympiaschanze HS109 | NH | Gundersen | |
| 39 | March 15, 2017 | Norway Trondheim | Granåsen HS140 | LH | Gundersen | |
| 40 | March 18, 2017 | Germany Schonach | Langenwaldschanze HS106 | NH | Gundersen | |
| 41 | March 19, 2017 | Germany Schonach | Langenwaldschanze HS106 | NH | Gundersen | |
| 42 | 2017/18 | December 16, 2017 | Austria Ramsau | W90-Mattensprunganlage HS98 | NH | Gundersen |
| 43 | March 13, 2018 | Norway Trondheim | Granåsen HS140 | LH | Gundersen |
5. Post-Playing Career
After retiring from competitive skiing, Eric Frenzel transitioned into coaching. He currently serves as the discipline coach for the German Nordic combined team, contributing his vast experience to the development of future athletes.
6. Legacy and Evaluation
Eric Frenzel is widely recognized as one of the most dominant and successful Nordic combined athletes in the history of the sport. His consistent performance across multiple seasons and major competitions, culminating in five consecutive World Cup overall titles, solidified his legendary status. The official Olympic website, in February 2020, specifically highlighted him as among the "king" of the discipline and one of the greatest athletes in Nordic combined history. His achievements have significantly influenced the sport's landscape, inspiring future generations of athletes and setting new benchmarks for excellence.
7. Honors and Recognitions
In recognition of his exceptional career and standing within German sports, Eric Frenzel was chosen as the flag bearer for Germany at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. This honor underscored his role as a prominent figure in the German Olympic contingent. He succeeded Maria Höfl-Riesch as flag bearer and was succeeded by Francesco Friedrich and Claudia Pechstein for subsequent games.