22 Facts About Hermann Maier

Hermann Maier was born on 7 December 1972 and is an Austrian former World Cup champion alpine ski racer and Olympic gold medalist.

Hermann Maier did not initially enjoy much success in ski racing.

Hermann Maier returned home to his hometown of Flachau and his father's ski school, which remains Maier's home.

Hermann Maier took up work as a bricklayer in the summer and a ski instructor in the winter.

Hermann Maier won his next race at the same location the day after.

Hermann Maier made his World Cup debut at age 23 on 10 February 1996, and finished 26th in the giant slalom at Hinterstoder, Austria.

Hermann Maier quickly established himself as an explosive and dynamic racer, well known for his strength, willingness to take risks, and strong work ethic.

Hermann Maier soon dominated alpine ski racing, winning the gold medal in the giant slalom and super-G at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, only a few days after a dramatic crash in the downhill race where he flew spectacularly off the sunlit course, landed partially on his head, tumbled head over heels several times, and crashed through two layers of B-netting.

Hermann Maier won the overall World Cup title in 1998, as well as the super-G and giant slalom season titles, and placed second in the downhill standings.

Hermann Maier had a dominating performance, setting the then most point garnered by an alpine skier, of 2000 points.

Hermann Maier won the overall World Cup title in 2001, as well as that season's titles in downhill, super-G, and giant slalom.

Hermann Maier won 13 World Cup races, but settled for two medals in the speed events at the 2001 World Championships in St Anton.

Hermann Maier was the reigning world champion in both events, won in 1999 at Beaver Creek, Colorado.

Hermann Maier's racing career nearly ended following a near-fatal motorcycle accident on August 24,2001; he collided with a car on his way home from a summer training session in Austria.

Doctors nearly amputated his lower right leg, but instead Hermann Maier underwent massive reconstructive surgery.

Hermann Maier returned to international competition in January 2003 in Adelboden, Switzerland, and two weeks later won a super-G title in the skiing-mecca of Kitzbuhel, Austria.

In 2004, Hermann Maier wrote an autobiography with his friend and former publicity agent, Knut Okresek.

On 20 June 2007, Hermann Maier announced he was switching to Head as his equipment sponsor, ending his long affiliation with Atomic.

On 18 January 2008, Hermann Maier finished second in the Kitzbuhel's super-G, behind Marco Buchel and in front of Didier Cuche for a total podium age of 104 years.

Hermann Maier won the first super-G of the 2009 season, held in Lake Louise, for his 24th super-G win.

Hermann Maier announced his retirement in 2009 after thirteen years of competing in the World Cup circuit.

Hermann Maier won an all-around sports competition, the 2001 edition of the American Superstars competition and he frequently acts in TV adverts for his sponsor bank Raiffeisen.