1. Overview
Patrick Schmit (born November 1, 1974) is a retired Luxembourgish competitive figure skater who specialized in men's singles. Born in Luxembourg City, Schmit represented Luxembourg in numerous international competitions, notably placing 29th at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. He retired from competitive skating in 2000, concluding a career that saw him compete at the highest levels of the sport, including multiple appearances at the World and European Championships.
2. Life
Patrick Schmit's life as a figure skater spanned several decades, beginning in his early years and continuing through a significant senior competitive career before his eventual retirement.
2.1. Birth and Early Life
Patrick Schmit was born on November 1, 1974, in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. He holds Luxembourgish nationality. Details about his early childhood and non-skating formative years are not extensively documented, but his path into figure skating began at an early age.
2.2. Figure Skating Career
Schmit's figure skating career was marked by consistent participation in major international events throughout the 1990s, culminating in his Olympic appearance.
2.2.1. Early Career and Junior Period
Schmit began his figure skating journey well before the 1993-1994 season, which is the earliest period for which his senior international results are consistently recorded. This implies a foundational period in junior competitions or national events, where he developed the skills necessary for the senior competitive circuit. While specific details of his junior career are not provided in available records, his emergence at the senior international level by the mid-1990s indicates a dedicated training and competitive background during his earlier years.
2.2.2. Senior Career and Major Competitions
Patrick Schmit's senior competitive career began in the 1993-1994 season. Throughout this period, he consistently participated in prestigious international competitions. His notable appearances include:
- Winter Olympics: He represented Luxembourg at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, where he placed 29th in the men's singles event.
- World Championships: Schmit competed in multiple World Figure Skating Championships, with his best result being 21st in the 1995-1996 season. He also placed 27th (1996-1997), 25th (1997-1998), and 35th (1999-2000).
- European Championships: He was a regular competitor at the European Figure Skating Championships, achieving his highest placement of 19th in the 1995-1996 season. Other placements include 28th (1993-1994), 22nd (1994-1995), 21st (1996-1997), 20th (1997-1998), 25th (1998-1999), and 22nd (1999-2000).
- Grand Prix and Other Events: Beyond the major championships, Schmit also competed in various other international events. He placed 10th at the Trophée Lalique in 1996-1997 and 10th at the Schäfer Memorial in 1997-1998. Notably, he achieved a bronze medal, placing 3rd at the Nepela Memorial in the 1997-1998 season. Other results include 11th at the Nebelhorn Trophy (1997-1998) and 6th (1995-1996) and 4th (1997-1998) at Piruetten.
2.2.3. Retirement
Patrick Schmit retired from competitive figure skating in the year 2000. His final season was the 1999-2000 season, after which he concluded his career as a professional competitive skater.
3. Major Achievements and Records
Patrick Schmit's competitive career spanned from the 1993-1994 season to the 1999-2000 season. His major results are summarized in the table below:
| Event | 1993-94 | 1994-95 | 1995-96 | 1996-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympics | 29th | ||||||
| World Champ. | 21st | 27th | 25th | 35th | |||
| European Champ. | 28th | 22nd | 19th | 21st | 20th | 25th | 22nd |
| Trophée Lalique | 10th | ||||||
| Schäfer Memorial | 10th | ||||||
| Nebelhorn Trophy | 11th | ||||||
| Nepela Memorial | 3rd | ||||||
| Piruetten | 6th | 4th |