Patrick Ortlieb

1.1. Early Introduction to Skiing

Patrick Ortlieb began skiing at an early age, starting when he was three years old in his native Austria. This early introduction to the sport laid the foundation for his future career as a professional alpine ski racer, allowing him to develop the skills necessary to become a specialist in speed disciplines like downhill and Super-G.

2.1. World Cup Career

Ortlieb made his World Cup debut on December 9, 1988, at the age of 21. Over his eleven seasons in the World Cup, from 1989 to 1999, he consistently performed at a high level in the speed disciplines.

2.2. World Championship Career

Ortlieb participated in four World Championships during his career. His most notable achievement was a gold medal in the downhill event.

The Super-G event at the 1993 World Championships was cancelled after multiple weather delays.

2.3. Olympic Career

Patrick Ortlieb competed in two Olympic Games, securing one gold medal.

At the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, Ortlieb won the gold medal in the men's downhill event. His victory was initially considered a surprise, as he had not yet won a World Cup race at that point, while Franz Heinzer, the reigning World Cup champion, was considered the favorite. Two years later, at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, Ortlieb finished fourth in the downhill event held at Kvitfjell.

2.4. Major Events and Disciplines

Ortlieb was a specialist in the speed disciplines of downhill and Super-G. A month before the 1994 Winter Olympics, he won the prestigious downhill race on the Hahnenkamm course in Kitzbühel, Austria. This victory, along with his 1996 World Championship gold, helped to solidify his reputation and prove that his Olympic gold was not a mere fluke.

3.1. Retirement and Injury

In January 1999, at the age of 31, Ortlieb's racing career concluded after a serious crash during a practice run on the same Hahnenkamm slope in Kitzbühel where he had previously achieved victory. He lost control and crashed into the safety nets at the Hausbergkante, suffering a compound fracture of his right femur and a badly dislocated and slightly fractured right hip. These severe injuries forced his retirement from professional skiing.

4.1. Political Activities

Later in 1999, the same year he retired from skiing, Ortlieb was elected to the National Council of Austria as a representative for the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), a far-right political party. He served as a member of parliament for three years.

4.2. Business and Personal Life

Currently, Patrick Ortlieb is involved in the hospitality industry. He runs the Hotel Montana, a four-star hotel located in Lech am Arlberg in Vorarlberg, Austria.