1. Early Life and Background
Mario Matt was born on 9 April 1979 in Zams, Tyrol, Austria. He became involved with the alpine skiing community through his club, SC Arlberg - Tirol. Matt officially made his World Cup debut in December 1999, at the age of 20, marking the beginning of a professional career that would span 16 seasons. He stands at a height of 75 in (190 cm).
2. Ski Racing Career
Mario Matt had a comprehensive and remarkably long career as an alpine ski racer, participating in the sport from his professional debut in 1999 until his retirement in 2015. Over this period, he established himself as a prominent figure, particularly excelling in the slalom discipline, but also competing in giant slalom and combined events. His career was marked by significant achievements in both the World Cup circuit and major international championships.
2.1. World Cup Achievements
Mario Matt achieved significant success in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, where he recorded 15 victories and 42 podium finishes. His 15 wins included 14 in slalom and one in super combined. Of his 42 podiums, 40 were in slalom, one in giant slalom, and one in super combined.
Matt holds several notable records within the World Cup circuit. He is the second oldest male skier to win a regular World Cup slalom race. Furthermore, he boasts the third-longest time interval between his first and last World Cup victories, spanning 13 years, 10 months, and 22 days, a testament to his exceptional longevity and sustained performance at the elite level.
2.1.1. Season Standings
The following table summarizes Mario Matt's World Cup season standings throughout his career:
| Season | Age | Overall | Slalom | Giant slalom | Super-G | Downhill | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 20 | 23 | 4 | - | - | - | - |
| 2001 | 21 | 17 | 3 | - | - | - | - |
| 2002 | 22 | 29 | 8 | 37 | - | - | - |
| 2003 | 23 | 91 | 35 | - | - | - | - |
| 2004 | 24 | 23 | 6 | - | - | - | - |
| 2005 | 25 | 29 | 6 | - | - | - | - |
| 2006 | 26 | 36 | 16 | 23 | - | - | 32 |
| 2007 | 27 | 5 | 2 | 25 | - | - | 11 |
| 2008 | 28 | 10 | 4 | 15 | - | - | 29 |
| 2009 | 29 | 29 | 7 | 40 | - | - | - |
| 2010 | 30 | 85 | 31 | - | - | - | - |
| 2011 | 31 | 20 | 4 | - | - | - | - |
| 2012 | 32 | 28 | 7 | - | - | - | - |
| 2013 | 33 | 21 | 6 | - | - | - | - |
| 2014 | 34 | 27 | 6 | - | - | - | - |
| 2015 | 35 | 96 | 29 | - | - | - | - |
2.1.2. Race Victories
Mario Matt achieved 15 World Cup victories throughout his career, with a majority in slalom and one in super combined.
| Season | Date | Location | Discipline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 23 Jan 2000 | Kitzbühel, Austria | Slalom |
| 9 Mar 2000 | Schladming, Austria | Slalom | |
| 2001 | 19 Dec 2000 | Madonna di Campiglio, Italy | Slalom |
| 2002 | 26 Nov 2001 | Aspen, USA | Slalom |
| 2005 | 13 Mar 2005 | Lenzerheide, Switzerland | Slalom |
| 2007 | 14 Jan 2007 | Wengen, Switzerland | Super combined |
| 25 Feb 2007 | Garmisch, Germany | Slalom | |
| 4 Mar 2007 | Kranjska Gora, Slovenia | Slalom | |
| 2008 | 6 Jan 2008 | Adelboden, Switzerland | Slalom |
| 22 Jan 2008 | Schladming, Austria | Slalom | |
| 17 Feb 2008 | Zagreb, Croatia | Slalom | |
| 2009 | 14 Mar 2009 | Åre, Sweden | Slalom |
| 2011 | 27 Feb 2011 | Bansko, Bulgaria | Slalom |
| 6 Mar 2011 | Kranjska Gora, Slovenia | Slalom | |
| 2014 | 15 Dec 2013 | Val d'Isère, France | Slalom |
2.2. World Championships Achievements
Mario Matt competed in eight FIS Alpine World Ski Championships between 2001 and 2015, securing five medals, including three gold and two silver. His gold medals were earned in slalom at the 2001 St. Anton and 2007 Åre events, and in the team event at the 2007 Åre championships. He also earned a silver medal in the combined event at the 2001 St. Anton championships and a bronze medal in slalom at the 2013 Schladming championships.
| Year | Age | Slalom | Giant slalom | Super-G | Downhill | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 21 | 1 | - | - | - | 2 |
| 2003 | 23 | DNF1 | - | - | - | - |
| 2005 | 25 | DNF1 | - | - | - | 11 |
| 2007 | 27 | 1 | - | - | - | 11 |
| 2009 | 29 | DNF1 | - | - | - | - |
| 2011 | 31 | 4 | - | - | - | - |
| 2013 | 33 | 3 | - | - | - | - |
| 2015 | 35 | DNF1 | - | - | - | - |
2.3. Olympic Games Achievements
Mario Matt competed in two Winter Olympic Games during his career, securing one gold medal. He notably did not compete in the 2002 Winter Olympics due to injury. His most significant Olympic achievement came at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where he won the gold medal in the men's slalom event. At 34 years old, he became the oldest Olympic gold medalist in slalom skiing, a testament to his enduring skill and competitive spirit.
| Year | Age | Slalom | Giant slalom | Super-G | Downhill | Combined | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 22 | injured: did not compete | |||||
| 2006 | 26 | DNF1 | - | - | - | 34 | |
| 2010 | 30 | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 2014 | 34 | 1 | - | - | - | - | |
2.4. Retirement
After a distinguished career spanning 16 seasons, Mario Matt announced his retirement from professional ski racing on 12 March 2015, at the age of 35.
3. Post-Retirement Activities
Following his retirement from professional ski racing, Mario Matt transitioned into new ventures. In 2009, prior to his retirement, he purchased the Krazy Kanguruh bar, a well-known establishment located at the Arlberg ski resort in St. Anton, Austria. In addition to his business in the hospitality sector, Matt also manages a stable dedicated to breeding Arabian horses.
4. Personal Life
Mario Matt comes from a family with a strong background in ski racing. He is the elder brother of Andreas Matt, who is a former skicross competitor and an Olympic silver medalist. His younger brother, Michael Matt, also followed in their footsteps and is a successful alpine skier specializing in slalom.
5. Legacy and Recognition
Mario Matt's legacy in alpine skiing is defined by his remarkable longevity, consistent performance at the highest level, and several significant records. His career, spanning 16 seasons, allowed him to achieve notable milestones, including 15 World Cup victories and multiple World Championship titles. Most prominently, his gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in slalom made him, at 34 years old, one of the oldest Olympic slalom champions in history, highlighting his enduring skill and competitive drive. He is also recognized as the second oldest male skier to win a regular World Cup slalom race and holds the third-longest time interval between his first and last World Cup victories, demonstrating his sustained excellence over nearly 14 years. These achievements solidify his position as a prominent and resilient figure in the history of Austrian and international alpine skiing.