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Matthias MayerAustrian alpine skier, gold medalist at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Date of Birth: 09.06.1990
Country:  Austria |
Content:
Biography of Matthias Mayer
Early Life and CareerMatthias Mayer, an Austrian alpine skier and the gold medalist of the 2014 Winter Olympics, was born in Sankt Veit, Austria. He comes from a family with a strong skiing background, as his father, Helmut Mayer, was a former skier and Olympic silver medalist.
In December 2005, Matthias achieved his first victory at the FIS competitions. He was then part of the Austrian youth team and was promoted to the Austrian 'B' team after the 2007-2008 season. In 2009, Matthias successfully completed his education at the famous Borg-Spittal school in Austria, which greatly helped him develop his innate abilities. It was already clear at this stage that Matthias Mayer had the potential to achieve great heights in the sport.
Early Successes and Breakthrough
In 2008, Matthias Mayer competed in the Junior World Championships in Formigal, Spain, where he won his first international medal, a silver in the slalom giant. He made his debut on the World Cup circuit in Sestriere, Italy, in February 2009. Mayer excelled in the super-giant slalom discipline and showcased his skills in the following years.
In 2011, Matthias was finally included in the Austrian national 'A' team. The 2011-2012 season marked his first full World Cup season, where he achieved impressive results in the super combined and his preferred discipline, the super-giant slalom.
Olympic Success and Recognition
Matthias Mayer's plans for the next season were ambitious. However, a severe food poisoning incident temporarily halted his training, and he could only return to the sport in October. Fortunately, this setback did not hinder his progress, and he significantly improved his results. In January 2013, Mayer secured his first podium finish in the World Cup, winning a silver medal in Kitzbühel. Both of his high-ranking World Cup results so far have been in the slalom giant discipline.
In February 2014, Matthias Mayer achieved his first victory outside the World Cup at the Winter Olympics in Sochi. His surprising win in the downhill race shocked many, including himself. Prior to this, Mayer was not considered a strong contender for victory, and he had yet to win a gold medal in the World Cup. However, his hard work, self-belief, and challenging course conditions paid off, and he proudly added an Olympic gold medal to his collection.
This outstanding achievement confirmed that Matthias Mayer is a truly talented and versatile athlete, surpassing previous expectations.
