Births on January 7

Gregor Schlierenzauer, Austrian ski jumper

Gregor Schlierenzauer (pronounced [ˈʃliːʁənt͡saʊ̯ɐ]), born on 7 January 1990, is a highly distinguished Austrian former ski jumper whose professional career spanned an impressive period from 2006 to 2021. Hailing from Innsbruck, Tyrol, Schlierenzauer rapidly ascended through the ranks to establish himself as one of the most successful and decorated athletes in the history of competitive ski jumping. His career is marked by an unparalleled accumulation of titles, medals, and broken records, solidifying his legacy in the sport.

A Dominant Force: Overall World Cup Titles

• FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Overall Title: Schlierenzauer claimed the coveted crystal globe twice, demonstrating his consistent excellence across multiple seasons. He first won it in the 2008–09 season, followed by another triumph in the 2012–13 season.
• Four Hills Tournament: Known as the most prestigious event outside of the World Championships and Olympics, the Four Hills Tournament is a grueling four-event series held annually in Germany and Austria around New Year. Schlierenzauer mastered this challenge twice, winning consecutively in the 2011–12 and 2012–13 seasons, a testament to his mental fortitude and technical prowess under pressure.
• Nordic Tournament: An important precursor to the modern Raw Air series, the Nordic Tournament was another significant multi-event competition. Schlierenzauer secured victory in this series twice, during the 2007–08 and 2010–11 seasons, showcasing his versatility on various hill types.
• FIS Ski Flying World Cup Overall Title: Specializing in the extreme discipline of ski flying, which involves pushing the boundaries of human flight on colossal hills, Schlierenzauer was particularly dominant. He captured the ski flying crystal globe an impressive three times: in the 2008–09, 2010–11, and 2012–13 seasons, underscoring his exceptional ability to handle high speeds and immense airtime.

Championship Triumphs: Olympic and World Medals

• Winter Olympics: Schlierenzauer is a four-time Olympic medalist. At the Vancouver 2010 Games, he earned an individual large hill bronze and a team large hill gold medal. He added two more medals at the Sochi 2014 Games: an individual normal hill bronze and a team large hill silver, consistently performing at the pinnacle of the sport's biggest stage.
• FIS Ski Jumping World Championships: His remarkable tally of twelve medals at the Ski Jumping World Championships includes numerous golds. Notably, he was part of the gold-winning Austrian team in the normal hill team event in 2007 and then again in the large hill team event in 2007, 2009, and 2011. He also clinched an individual large hill gold medal in 2011, further cementing his status as a world champion.
• FIS Ski Flying World Championships: In the highly specialized realm of ski flying, Schlierenzauer amassed five medals. This includes an individual gold medal in 2008, showcasing his individual dominance on the largest hills. He also secured team gold medals in 2008, 2010, and 2012, demonstrating his invaluable contribution to the formidable Austrian ski flying squad.

Setting New Benchmarks: Unprecedented Records

The 2008–09 World Cup season stands out as a particularly historic period for Schlierenzauer. During this dominant campaign, he redefined excellence in ski jumping:

• Most Individual World Cup Wins in a Single Season: He shattered Janne Ahonen's long-standing record of twelve individual World Cup victories in a season by achieving an astounding thirteen wins. This feat highlighted his unparalleled consistency and performance peak.
• Consecutive Individual World Cup Wins: In the same season, Schlierenzauer tied the elite record of six consecutive individual wins in a single season, a benchmark previously held by legends such as Janne Ahonen, Matti Hautamäki, and Thomas Morgenstern. This achievement underscored his ability to maintain peak form over an extended period.

Perhaps his most significant individual achievement came on 26 January 2013, when he equalled the legendary Matti Nykänen's record of 46 individual World Cup wins, a record that had stood for many years. Schlierenzauer didn't stop there; he continued to amass victories, ultimately concluding his career with an incredible total of 53 individual World Cup wins. This makes him the male ski jumper with the most individual World Cup victories in history, a truly monumental testament to his enduring talent and competitive spirit.

A Storied Career Concludes

After a career filled with groundbreaking achievements and indelible moments, Gregor Schlierenzauer announced his retirement from competitive ski jumping on 21 September 2021. He conveyed this decision directly to his fans and the wider sporting community through his official website, marking the end of an era for Austrian and international ski jumping.

Frequently Asked Questions about Gregor Schlierenzauer

What is Gregor Schlierenzauer's most significant record?

Gregor Schlierenzauer holds the record for the most individual FIS Ski Jumping World Cup victories by a male athlete, with a remarkable total of 53 wins.

How many Olympic medals did Gregor Schlierenzauer win?

He won four Olympic medals: one gold (team large hill, 2010), one silver (team large hill, 2014), and two bronze (individual large hill, 2010; individual normal hill, 2014).

Did Schlierenzauer win the prestigious Four Hills Tournament?

Yes, Gregor Schlierenzauer won the Four Hills Tournament twice, achieving back-to-back victories in the 2011–12 and 2012–13 seasons.