A Slalom star was born

Only one year after his World Cup debut, Mario Matt surprised thousands of spectators at the 60th Hahnenkamm Races. Wearing start number 47, the Newcomer launched into his first run - and threw his arms in the air at the finish line after finishing in second place. He amazed Kitzbühel and the entire ski world with his performance in the second run: the Arlberg man outclassed the entire field and ended up in first place almost a whole second ahead of his nearest rival. A Slalom star was born. In the same year, Mario Matt picked up his first World Cup title, another 15 were to follow. The slalom ace went on to become two-time world champion (2001 and 2007) and crowned his successful career in 2014 with an Olympic Gold medal in Sotchi, before retiring from the sport in 2015.