Herman Maier was an Austrian boy whose father was a professional skier and owned a ski school. When Herman was 15 years old, his father sent him to the National Skiing School of Austria, but he was sent home because of his small size.
Later he became a bricklayer but also taught at his father’s ski school. He competed regionally winning several small events and eventually earned a spot on the highly competitive Austrian Olympic Ski Team. He had been passed over by the Olympic Team previously due to his size and old age but in 1998 was invited to compete at the Nagano, Japan winter olympic games. While competing in the men’s downhill event he lost control of his skis screaming at 80-90 miles per hour, catapulting 30 feet in the air, crashing through two fences and sliding into a ditch. Many thought he was dead or at least that his skiing career was ended. Few would have guessed that just two days later he would win gold in both the Men’s giant slalom and Super-G events. Later that season he won the overall World Cup Championship. He won his second and third World Cup titles in 2000 and 2001.
In August of 2001 he got into a nearly fatal motorcycle crash while coming home from a training session. Doctors considered amputating his leg but he insisted on reconstructive surgery instead. Again, this accident could have ended his life and certainly this time, many believed he would never ski professionally again. Herman missed two seasons, but made a miraculous comeback by winning his fourth World Cup Championship in the 2003-2004 season. He competed again in the 2006 Winter Olympics winning a Silver in the Super-G and a bronze medal in the giant slalom.
Herman’s repeated ability to survive nearly fatal accidents and triumph earned him the nickname, “The Hermanator” – after another famous Austrian, Arnold Swartzenager, “The Terminator”.
