Gregor Schlierenzauer
An Austrian ski jumper who soared to unprecedented heights, rewriting the record books with his 53 World Cup wins and gravity-defying style.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Austrian ski jumper·Birthday: January 7·Millennials
Biography
Gregor Schlierenzauer, known as 'Schlieri,' didn't just jump; he seemed to hang in the air, redefining what was possible on a ski jump. Bursting onto the World Cup scene as a teenager, his career was a relentless ascent. He dominated the sport in the late 2000s and early 2010s with a combination of technical precision and audacious flight. His rivalry with Swiss jumper Simon Ammann became the sport's central narrative. While Olympic gold proved elusive in individual events, his collection of World Cup crystal globes, Four Hills Tournament titles, and World Championship medals is unmatched. His retirement in 2021 marked the end of an era, leaving a statistical legacy that may never be eclipsed.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Gregor was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Gregor Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Gregor's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Holds the male record for most individual Ski Jumping World Cup victories, with 53 wins.
- Won the overall Ski Jumping World Cup title twice, in 2009 and 2013.
- Secured the prestigious Four Hills Tournament title on two occasions (2012, 2013).
- Earned four Olympic medals, including a team large hill gold in 2010.
- Claimed twelve medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.
Did You Know?
He made his World Cup debut at the age of 15.
He is the youngest ski jumper ever to win the Four Hills Tournament, achieving it at 22.
His nickname 'Schlieri' was famously chanted by crowds during his jumps.
He held the hill record on the famed Bergisel ski jump in Innsbruck for years.
“You must have the courage to push off the bar even when you are afraid.”
