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What a man, what a life - James Cove
Tuesday October 13, 2009 - Email this article to a friend
PlanetSKI takes a fond look back at one of the greatest racers of them all. Hermann Maier. Our content editor was priviledged to see him race on several occasions.
The Hundschopf jump in the Lauberhorn race in the Swiss resort of Wengen is one of the most famous jumps of them all. Thousands of Swiss gather there to cheer their heroes while they boo and jeer pretty much everyone else.
Ski racing in that part of the world is a passion, like football in the UK where you wouldn't hear The Kop cheering as Wayne Rooney scored a goal for Manchester United at Anfield.
However, when the Austrian Hermann Maier came flying over the jump when I was there a couple of seasons back the crowd went wild. The cowbells rang, the drums were beaten and the noise was deafening.
To this highly partisan crowd Maier was a skier first and foremost, an Austrian second. A tingle went up my spine.
It very nearly though didn't happen at all.
At 15 years old he was sent home from the Schaladming Ski Academy as he was told he would never make it. He was too thin.
He became a brick-layer instead.
But he stuck at it and when he started as a forerunner in a 1996 World Cup giant slalom race he ended up getting the 12th fastest time.
He made his debut at the age of 23 on February 10th 1996 in Hinterstoder in Austria and within a year had won his first world cup race. It was the first of 54 victories, the highest number of any racer except the legendary Ingemar Stenmark, from Sweden, who amassed an amazing 86.
He is ahead of all the greats; Pirmin Zurbriggen, AlbertoTomba, Bode Miller and even his compatriot and hero, Franz Klammer.
It is often said that he used physical strength rather than technical brilliance to power himself to victory. Well as far as I am concerned you can't obtain 54 victories without having a mastery of ski technique.
And yet it nearly ended in 2001 when he was riding back from a summer training session on his motorbike. He hit a car at speed and badly injured his lower leg. It was thought he may have to have it amputated, but in a 7 hour operation doctors decided they could save it as he underwent massive re-constructive surgery.
Many thought he would never ski again, let alone race.
Two years later in Kitzbuehel he won the Super-G. The next winter, in his first full season back, he won both the Super-G and the overall title.
It was one of the greatest sporting comebacks ever. In any sport.
"Maier was simply outstanding and Kitzbuehel was his arena. Out of 7 starts there he won 5 times and came second once. His legendary status is guaranteed," says Neil McQuoid, the editor of the web site and magazine, Racer Ready.
For a fuller tribute from McQuoid see the comment box at the end of this story and feel free to add and share your own thoughts about Maier's retirement.
Apart from his racing skills he was also a huge personality and came along at a time when the sport needed a few characters. He became known as The Herminator for his apparent ability to be indestructible; not only surviving the motorcycle accident, but also winning 2 Olympic gold medals after an horrific crash in Nagano, Japan in 1998.
For video footage of that crash see this news story on PlanetSKI.
The nick-name came after that other Austrian, Arnold Schwarzenegger, played the part of the indestructible Terminator in the series of Hollywood films.
When Maier was asked what went through his head during that huge crash as he flew 40 metres through the air his answer was quick and simple; "I thought that if I win gold now I will be immortal."
But as the years crept on his body started to pay the price and he never really recovered from a knee injury at the end of last season.
He has decided to bow out from racing when he is at the place that he belongs; the top.
He will be remembered as one of the greatest racers of them all and I will remember him as the only Austrian who I have heard the Swiss go mad for.
Thanks for the memories.
What are your memories of Hermann Maier? Pay your tribute here.PlanetSKI reserves the right to edit any comments. In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
Maier was simply outstanding. Not matter what his result, he was the racer that everybody in the press area wanted to listen to. There is only one other racer that commands that effect at the moment but Maier had time for the Austrian media and then it was time for the rest of the world. Always courteous yet he knew that following his accident he was living on borrowed time. Sitting in the press conference after his miraculous 2005 win in the GS at the World Championships in Bormio, Maier was shocked that he had won. This was a man who had gone from being brash and daring to understanding the amazing feats he had accomplished.
For many Maier was the personality that the sport craved at a time when it was almost devoid of personalities. After winning four of the five crystal globes at the end of the 2000 – 2001 season, Maier had raised the bar and no one was able to touch him. His career brought him ten medals at the Olympic Games and World Championships as well as 54 World Cup wins, Maier won the Overall World Cup four times, the Downhill Title twice, Super G 5 times and the Giant Slalom three times. But his legendary status comes from his performances in Kitzbuehel: 5 wins and a second from his seven starts there! Super G Friday in Kitzbuehel became synonymous with Hermann Maier!
Then there is also Nagano and that fall! The fact he got up to win Gold in the next race is what super heroes are made of!
Last season, despite winning again in Beaver Creak, USA, you could see that it was getting harder and harder for the great man. This was a man who was used to fighting it out for the wins, not scrapping for top ten places. After a disappointing opening race in Solden in the GS, he dropped out of the discipline and focused on the speed races and in particular the Super G. Maier would go on to finish fourth in the World Cup and was in with a shout of the Crystal Globe up to the last race. The body though was starting to tire and to have gone out at the top is commendable.
His legendary status is guaranteed!
Neil McQuoid, editor of Racer Ready, Crowthorne, Berkshire
He had probably had his day but when i heard he was making a comeback and planned to be at the Winter Olympics next February i was so looking forward to it. Bode Miller v Hermann Maier for one last time!
What a shame, but he has probably made the right decision and bowed out at the top while he has his health.
He was the greatest and a real character.
Freddy Miller, Cardiff
This has come from Ed Drake. The Ed Drake, Britain's number 1 ski racer and good friend of PlanetSKI.......
"Herman has been an inspiration to thousands of skiers not just me! An absolute legend. Shows us that even with the chips stacked against us, coming back from that career ending crash, anything is possible."
Ed Drake, Currently training in Germany!
A shame someone who's been as influencial and successful as Maier is retiring, but at 36 he's had a good innings.
Besides which, the guy shouldn't really even be walking after the bike accident, so everything he's achieved since that has been a miracle and testament to his dedication.
I think he's one of those you'll look back on in ten years and realise exactly what he achieved and how good he was. Right now you remember the Maier of the past couple of seasons - a contender but not so dominant. But he was absolutely unstoppable before he broke his legs and if it hadn't been for that he could have been the best ever.
That said, even with the injuries he was certainly one of the best ever. And he liked a drink, so a good bloke in general.
Guy Ordway, Verbier, Switzerland
Whenever you saw him race you never quite knew what was going to happen and he always gave it his all. I have forgotten how many times he won in Kitzbuhel but he made the most difficult course in the world his own and, as you say, everyone respected him. Even the Swiss!
I was lucky enough to be there once (Kitzbuhel) best day and night of my life.
William Maxwell, Kent
End of an era - he was quite simply the best.
Tony, London
Hermann Maier has always been a crucial figure in the ski racing world and from things I read and hear often the life and sole of the World Cup Circuit. He's often somehow ended up in conversation at ski race events and whenever someone gets on a chairlift with race kit on in Austria the bloke sitting next to you will pass some comment about you being 'the next Hermann Maier'; his nation love and cherish him - what a man and what a racer - and inspiration for generations to come...
Ben , Bristol
Hermann Maier has been one of the most entertaining ski racers of this generation. He always skied close to the edge, leading him to win an impressive number of World Cup, Olympic and World Championship medals. But The Herminator sometimes crossed this fine edge of control leading to some of the most dramatic crashes on the circuit.
Hermann Maier's career will continue to be an inspiration to many.
Amanda Pirie, ex-British Team skier.
Amanda Pirie, UK
I have never seen anyone attack a course like Hermann Maier. His sheer strength and aggression, coupled with his incredible ability made him one of the greatest skiers of all time.
His ability was second to none up until his motorcycle accident, a quality that was not always shared by competing team members. This was on the basis he was that good! (indeed Eberharter stated in an interview on TV they all had a better chance while Maier was recovering).
Following the accident, his form never reached the same level as it had prior to the accident. He struggled with form and fitness and whilst obtaining good finishes, it was not the same skier we had seen before.
Adrian , Guildford
In addition to his aggressive line, tremendous physical strength, and the strenuous grimace you see on his face in still shots, Hermann possessed a marvelous soft touch on the snow that you can only see when watching video (or live action if you're so lucky). That's the true secret to his speed.
I've heard some funny stories that he was reportedly a wild man off the snow, especially in his younger days, which make Bode Miller look like an angel. :)
Bob Hill, New Hampshire
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