1. Overview
Teresa Stadlober (born 1 February 1993) is an Austrian cross-country skiing athlete. She is a prominent figure in Austrian cross-country skiing, notably winning an individual bronze medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics in the 15 km skiathlon event. Her career spans over a decade in the FIS Cross-Country World Cup circuit, as well as multiple appearances at the Winter Olympics and FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. Stadlober comes from a family with a strong skiing heritage, as both her parents and younger brother were also competitive skiers. This article details her life, family background, and comprehensive competitive career, from junior levels to her significant achievements in major international competitions.
2. Early life and family
Teresa Stadlober was born on 1 February 1993, in Radstadt, Austria. She grew up in a family deeply immersed in competitive skiing. She is 5.5 ft (1.68 m) tall. Her father, Alois Stadlober, was a successful cross-country skier, and her mother, Roswitha Steiner, was a former alpine skiing athlete. Her younger brother, Luis Stadlober, also pursued a career in cross-country skiing. This family legacy provided a strong foundation for Stadlober's own athletic pursuits, making her a part of a notable sporting dynasty in Austria. She represents the SC Sparkasse Radstadt-Salzburg club.
3. Competitive career
Teresa Stadlober's competitive career in cross-country skiing has been marked by a consistent progression through various levels of competition, culminating in an Olympic medal. Her career in the FIS Cross-Country World Cup circuit spans over a decade, starting in the 2014 season. Her participation in major events like the Junior and U23 World Championships, Winter Olympics, and World Championships demonstrates her sustained presence at the elite level of the sport.
3.1. Junior and U23 competitions
Stadlober began her international career with strong performances in junior and U23 categories. At the 2013 Nordic Junior World Ski Championships held in Liberec, she achieved significant success, securing a gold medal in the 10 km skiathlon event. Additionally, she earned a silver medal in the 5 km freestyle race at the same championships. The following year, at the 2014 U23 World Championships in Val di Fiemme, Stadlober won a bronze medal in the 15 km skiathlon, further solidifying her potential in the sport.
3.2. Olympic Games results
Teresa Stadlober has represented Austria in multiple Winter Olympic Games, consistently improving her performance and achieving her most significant career milestone at the 2022 games.
| Year | Age | 10 km individual | 15 km skiathlon | 30 km mass start | Sprint | 4 × 5 km relay | Team sprint |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Sochi | 21 | - | 36 | 20 | - | 12 | 8 |
| 2018 Pyeongchang | 25 | 9 | 7 | 9 | - | - | 14 |
| 2022 Beijing | 29 | 9 | Bronze | 11 | - | - | 6 |
Her Olympic journey began at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where she competed in the skiathlon and 10 km classical events. At the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Stadlober made history by winning the bronze medal in the 15 km skiathlon, marking her first individual Olympic medal and a significant achievement for Austrian cross-country skiing.
3.3. World Championships results
Stadlober has regularly competed in the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, consistently demonstrating her skill across various distances and formats.
| Year | Age | 10 km individual | 15 km skiathlon | 30 km mass start | Sprint | 4 × 5 km relay | Team sprint |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Val di Fiemme | 20 | 26 | 29 | - | - | 11 | - |
| 2015 Falun | 22 | 25 | 21 | 13 | - | - | - |
| 2017 Lahti | 24 | 12 | 6 | 8 | - | - | - |
| 2019 Seefeld | 26 | 8 | - | 8 | - | - | - |
| 2021 Oberstdorf | 28 | 9 | 4 | 5 | - | - | - |
| 2023 Planica | 30 | - | 17 | 8 | - | - | - |
3.4. World Cup results
Teresa Stadlober has been a consistent competitor in the FIS Cross-Country World Cup, the sport's highest level of annual competition, accumulating notable season standings and individual podium finishes throughout her career.
3.4.1. Season standings
Her performance in the World Cup has seen her steadily climb the rankings, consistently placing within the top echelon of distance skiers.
| Season | Age | Discipline standings | Ski Tour standings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Distance | Sprint | Nordic Opening | Tour de Ski | Ski Tour 2020 | World Cup Final | Ski Tour Canada | ||
| 2014 | 21 | 72 | 54 | NC | 62 | 27 | - | - | - |
| 2015 | 22 | 28 | 26 | NC | - | 33 | 10 | - | - |
| 2016 | 23 | 19 | 15 | NC | - | 27 | 11 | - | 18 |
| 2017 | 24 | 12 | 11 | NC | - | 15 | 9 | 14 | - |
| 2018 | 25 | 8 | 7 | NC | - | 6 | 5 | 14 | - |
| 2019 | 26 | 22 | 12 | NC | - | 7 | Did not finish | 29 | - |
| 2020 | 27 | 10 | 9 | 65 | - | 16 | 6 | - | - |
| 2021 | 28 | 14 | 11 | 80 | - | 16 | 9 | - | - |
| 2022 | 29 | 17 | 11 | NC | - | - | 7 | - | - |
| 2023 | 30 | 15 | 10 | 104 | - | - | 9 | - | - |
| 2024 | 31 | 12 | 9 | 72 | - | - | 13 | - | - |
| 2025 | 32 | 8 | 8 | 78 | - | - | 7 | - | - |
3.4.2. Individual podiums
Teresa Stadlober has achieved a total of five individual podium finishes in World Cup events, including both standalone World Cup races and stages within multi-stage tours like the Tour de Ski.
| No. | Season | Date | Location | Race | Level | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-18 | 6 January 2018 | Val di Fiemme, Italy | 10 km Mass Start C | Stage World Cup | 3rd |
| 2 | 2017-18 | 7 January 2018 | Val di Fiemme, Italy | 9 km Pursuit F | Stage World Cup | 2nd |
| 3 | 2019-20 | 25 January 2020 | Oberstdorf, Germany | 7.5 km + 7.5 km Skiathlon C/F | World Cup | 3rd |
| 4 | 2024-25 | 4 January 2025 | Val di Fiemme, Italy | 10 km + 10 km Skiathlon C/F | Stage World Cup | 2nd |
| 5 | 2024-25 | 19 January 2025 | Les Rousses, France | 20 km Mass Start C | World Cup | 3rd |
4. Legacy and reception
Teresa Stadlober's career has significantly contributed to Austria's presence in international cross-country skiing, a sport where the nation has historically not been among the dominant forces. Her individual Olympic bronze medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing stands as a testament to her dedication and elite performance, marking a rare and celebrated achievement for her country in this discipline. This medal not only brought her personal recognition but also elevated the profile of cross-country skiing within Austria, potentially inspiring future generations of skiers. Her consistent top-10 finishes in World Cup and World Championship events, alongside her family's skiing legacy, underscore her sustained impact and role model status within the sport. Stadlober's achievements highlight the possibility of success for athletes from non-traditional cross-country skiing nations through perseverance and talent.