Born: 1983 (Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia)
Biography:
Tina Maze (Slovene: [ˈtiːna ˈmaːzɛ]) is a retired Slovenian World Cup alpine ski racer. She was born on May 2, 1983, in Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia. Maze is the most successful Slovenian ski racer in history, with a career that culminated with two gold medals at the 2014 Winter Olympics. She has made her mark in the world of alpine skiing, and her achievements and impact on the sport are undeniable.
Maze’s career in skiing began at a young age, and she quickly showed promise as a talented athlete. She started her journey as a giant slalom specialist but soon started competing in all five alpine skiing disciplines. Her determination and versatility allowed her to succeed in various competitions.
Throughout her career, Maze amassed numerous accolades and set several records. She is one of only seven female racers to have won in all five World Cup disciplines. Additionally, she is one of just three athletes to achieve this feat in a single season. Maze’s prowess on the slopes earned her several championship titles. In 2011, she became the world champion in giant slalom, and in 2013, she claimed the title of super-G world champion. The following year, Maze added two Olympic gold medals to her collection, winning the downhill and giant slalom events at the 2014 Winter Olympics. She further solidified her position as a top athlete by becoming the world champion in downhill and combined disciplines in 2015.
Maze’s success extended beyond individual events. In the 2013 World Cup season, she achieved a remarkable feat by winning the overall title. She emerged victorious in 11 races and scored a record-breaking 2,414 World Cup points. This surpassed the previous record of 2,000 points set by Hermann Maier in 2000. Moreover, Maze won the super-G and giant slalom titles that season and finished first in the combined event. She also achieved second place in slalom and downhill. Maze’s remarkable consistency translated into podium finishes, as she surpassed Maier’s record of 22 podiums in a single season with an impressive total of 24 podium finishes.
Maze’s impact on society and women’s sports in Slovenia cannot be overstated. Her achievements have inspired young athletes and demonstrated the heights that Slovenian athletes can reach on the international stage. She has become a role model for aspiring skiers, and her success has elevated Slovenia’s reputation in the skiing world.
Awards:
– Olympic Gold Medalist – Downhill, 2014 Winter Olympics
– Olympic Gold Medalist – Giant Slalom, 2014 Winter Olympics
– World Champion – Downhill, 2015 World Championships
– World Champion – Combined, 2015 World Championships
– World Champion – Giant Slalom, 2011 World Championships
– World Champion – Super-G, 2013 World Championships
– World Cup Overall Winner, 2013
– Slovenian Sportswoman of the Year, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015