Professional skis brand hermann maier biography

By Patrick Lang

A week prior the start of the next alpine World Cup season one of the greatest legends of the sports surprisingly announced his decision to retire from the ski tour.

Double Olympic champion Hermann Maier, who turns 37 in December, informed the amazed Austrian reporters gathered at the last minute in Wien by his press agent and the Austrian Ski Federation that he had decided to end his career as one of the leading heroes of the sports after overcoming another series of health problems.

Maier, a four-time overall World Cup champion and a winner in 54 World Cup competitions since February 1997, had to undergo minor arthroscopic surgery on his knee last spring forcing him to rest for a long time. Later on this summer, he crashed while riding his bike and hurt his leg.

Finally last week, he managed to get back on his skis on the glacier above Soelden and seemed happy by his form. He said after a few hours of free skiing that he was planning to get back on his racing skis at the end of November at Lake Louise, in time for the first speed events of the new season.

Yet, he decided in the meantime that it would not be such a good idea after all.  “I enjoyed free skiing the other day at Soelden and I was happy that my body was back in shape after that long break, it was one of my main goals this fall,” he first said at the press conference attended by dozens of journalists, TV crews and photographers.

“Yet afterwards, I found out that it was also a good time to retire, it was a tough yet spontaneous decision which came up in my mind,” he added after a short pause during which he was overwhelmed by emotion and unable to speak.

“Last Friday, I suddenly decided to quit as I wanted to retire in good shape and relax a little. A week ago, I was not aware that this could happen so quickly, but the fact that I feel physically so great certainly pushed me towards that decision.”

“Ski racing is a demanding activ

"Hermann Maier: The Race of My Life" is the shocking, engaging, and ultimately inspiring autobiography from one of the sport's most electric figures. Standing as a giant in the ski world, Hermann Maier dominated his field of competition and gathered a trove of World Cup titles and medals along the way. But his championship reign came to a frightening halt in 2001 when he endured a violent motorcycle accident that he was lucky to survive. Doctors were certain the damage to his leg would end his flamboyant skiing career. Yet it was at this low point that Hermann Maier's astonishing comeback story begins. True to his all-or-nothing reputation, the Herminator put every ounce of his strength into his slow, painful recovery. Driven by the same determination that awed millions in Nagano at the 1998 Olympic Games - where he walked away from the most spectacular crash the sport has seen and went on to win a gold medal the next day - Maier found his way back to the podium in a stunning return to glory. It has a Foreword by Lance Armstrong.

"Maier's autobiography follows the fanatical and inspiring dedication that enabled Austria's most popular athlete to recover from motorcycle-crash injuries and win ski races again." -- SKI magazine "A fast-paced memoir." -- Outside magazine "Maier's happy ending to a gruesome and long fight was one few of us understood until the release of his book, Hermann Maier: The Race of My Life, which chronicles the days of depression, painkiller addiction, and paralysis scares followed by nights without sleep in sweat-soaked sheets." -- SKI magazine "Rarely has there been an athletic comeback story as compelling as that of Hermann Maier. . . . [This book belongs] on the shelf with the best skier biographies, a rarity in a sport that, in America, lives in the margins." -- Boston Globe "This is the book

Introduction: Hermann Maier, affectionately known as "the Herminator," is a legendary figure in the world of alpine skiing. Born on December 7, 1972, in Altenmarkt im Pongau, Austria, Maier's remarkable journey from a small Alpine village to the pinnacle of skiing greatness is an inspiring tale of determination, resilience, and unmatched athletic prowess.

Early Life and Rise to Stardom: Growing up in the picturesque Alps, Maier was introduced to skiing at a young age, and it didn't take long for him to showcase his exceptional talent on the slopes of his hometown. His relentless work ethic and unwavering dedication to the sport propelled him to success at an early age, earning him recognition as one of Austria's most promising young skiers.

Career Highlights: Maier's illustrious career is a testament to his extraordinary talent and relentless pursuit of excellence. Throughout his career, he amassed an impressive collection of accolades and achievements, including:

• Four Olympic medals, including two gold medals at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics (Super-G and Giant Slalom).
• Three World Championship titles, with victories in Super-G (1999, 2005) and Giant Slalom (1999).
• Four overall World Cup titles (1998, 2000, 2001, 2004), solidifying his status as one of the most dominant skiers of his era.

The Comeback Story: In 2001, Maier faced a life-threatening motorcycle accident that left many doubting whether he would ever ski competitively again. However, true to his resilient nature, Maier defied the odds and made a triumphant comeback to the sport just 21 months after the accident. His remarkable return to skiing and subsequent victories earned him the nickname "the Herminator," symbolizing his indomitable spirit and unwavering determination.

Legacy and Impact: Beyond his athletic achievements, Maier's legacy extends far beyond the ski slopes. He is celebrated not only for his unparalleled success but also for his humility, sportsmansh

Austrian alpine skier (born 1972)

"Herminator" redirects here. For other uses, see Hermanator.

Hermann Maier (born 7 December 1972) is an Austrian former World Cup champion alpine ski racer and Olympic gold medalist. Nicknamed the "Herminator", Maier ranks among the greatest alpine ski racers in history, with four overall World Cup titles (1998, 2000, 2001, 2004), two Olympic gold medals (both in 1998), and three World Championship titles (1999: 2, and 2005). His 54 World Cup race victories – 24 super-G, 15 downhills, 14 giant slaloms, and 1 combined – rank third on the men's all-time list behind Ingemar Stenmark's 86 victories and Marcel Hirscher's 67 victories. Until 2023 he held the record for the most points in one season by a male alpine skier, with 2000 points from the 2000 season. From 2000–2013 he also held the title of most points in one season by any alpine skier, until Tina Maze scored 2414 points in the 2013 season.

Early years

Maier did not initially enjoy much success in ski racing. As a 15-year-old at the Schladming ski academy, he was sent home after being told he would not succeed because of his slight build, caused by growth impairments. He returned home to his hometown of Flachau and his father's ski school, which remains