Born: 1956 (Straubing, Bavaria)
Hanni Wenzel Biography:
Johanna Wenzel, commonly known as Hanni Wenzel, was born on December 14, 1956, in Straubing, Bavaria. She is a former alpine skier from Liechtenstein and remains her country’s only Olympic champion to date. From a young age, Wenzel displayed immense talent and determination, carving out a remarkable career in the world of alpine skiing.
At the age of one, Hanni Wenzel moved to the Principality of Liechtenstein with her parents. It was here that her passion for skiing began to blossom. By the age of 16, the young Wenzel had already shown great promise, finishing 23rd in the giant slalom discipline ranking in the 1973/1974 skiing season. Her breakthrough came soon after when she secured her first World Cup success in the giant slalom discipline on December 20, 1973, in Zell am See.
In the following years, Wenzel’s career skyrocketed as she continued to achieve remarkable victories. At the tender age of 17 years, 1 month, and 25 days, she became the youngest slalom world champion to date on February 8, 1974, in St. Moritz. This achievement not only solidified her place in history but also replaced Esmé MacKinnon as the youngest slalom world champion. Wenzel’s extraordinary talent and dedication were evident as she also won the silver medal in the combined event.
Wenzel’s success extended to the Olympic Games, where she clinched the bronze medal in the slalom event in 1976. Her crowning moment came in the 1980 Olympics held in Lake Placid, where she showcased her exceptional skills and captured two gold medals, one silver medal, and the coveted combined gold medal. It is worth mentioning that her combined gold medal only counted towards the World Championships.
Throughout her career, Hanni Wenzel left an indelible mark in the Ski World Cup. She achieved two overall victories and five small balls, showcasing her dominance and consistency in various races. In the 1978/1979 season, Wenzel narrowly missed out on the overall World Cup victory, losing to Moser-Pröll in the final race, the giant slalom in Furano.
However, tragedy struck in December 1981 when Wenzel suffered a devastating injury during a fall in the downhill event in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. This injury forced her to miss the 1982 Alpine World Ski Championships, depriving her fans of witnessing her unparalleled skill on the international stage.
Although Wenzel excelled in both the downhill and the giant slalom disciplines, she was unable to secure a victory in the newly introduced Super-G event in the 1982/1983 season. Her only podium finish in the Super-G came in Verbier on January 9, 1983, with a second-place finish. Despite a fifth-place and two seventh-place finishes, Wenzel fell short of claiming the top position in the Super-G.
In 1984, Wenzel was unable to participate in the Winter Olympics held in Sarajevo due to having a professional license. The International Ski Federation (FIS) recommended her non-participation in the event. That same year, Wenzel made the difficult decision to retire from competitive skiing, concluding her illustrious athletic career.
On May 24, 1986, Wenzel married Austrian ski racer Harti Weirather in Wängle near Reutte. Together, they founded the sports marketing agency WWP (Weirather, Wenzel & Partner) in 1987, based in Ruggell. This venture allowed Wenzel to continue her involvement in the world of skiing and sports even after retiring from competition.
Hanni Wenzel’s extraordinary career, filled with numerous victories and records, has left an indelible mark on the world of alpine skiing. Her determination, talent, and unwavering spirit have made her an inspiration to aspiring athletes worldwide. Wenzel’s achievements as Liechtenstein’s only Olympic champion, her historic slalom world championship win at a tender age, and her contributions to the world of skiing make her a true pioneer and an icon in women’s sports history.
Awards:
– Olympic Games:
– 1980: Gold Medal – Women’s Giant Slalom
– 1980: Gold Medal – Women’s Slalom
– 1980: Silver Medal – Women’s Downhill
– 1980: Gold Medal – Women’s Combined
– 1976: Bronze Medal – Women’s Slalom