Katharina Schmid
A German ski jumping pioneer whose consistency and team brilliance have piled up world titles and Olympic silver.
Born 1996 (age 30)·German ski jumper·Birthday: May 23·Millennials
Biography
Katharina Schmid, who competes under her maiden name Althaus, has been a model of graceful power at the top of women's ski jumping for nearly a decade. Emerging from the Bavarian town of Oberstdorf, a historic hub for the sport, she announced herself by winning the junior world championship title in 2013. Since then, her career has been defined by a staggering collection of team medals, where her reliable, technically sound jumps have made Germany nearly unbeatable in relay events. While an individual Olympic gold has eluded her—she has two silvers—her seven world championship golds, including a hard-fought individual normal hill title in 2023, cement her as one of the most successful jumpers in history.
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.
Katharina was born in 1996, 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 Katharina Was Born
The biggest hits of 1996
#1 Movie
Independence Day
Best Picture
The English Patient
#1 TV Show
ER
Katharina's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1996Born
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2001Started school
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2009Became a teenager
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Could drive
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2014Could vote
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2017Turned 21
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Turned 30
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the individual normal hill gold medal at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 2023.
- Has earned seven FIS World Championship gold medals across individual and team events.
- Won Olympic silver medals in the individual normal hill at both the 2018 and 2022 Winter Games.
Did You Know?
She is married to German Nordic combined skier Vinzenz Geiger.
She studied business administration alongside her athletic career.
Her six world championship team gold medals are a record in women's ski jumping.
“The feeling when you're flying is simply indescribable. It's a mix of absolute freedom and total concentration.”
