Marlies Schild
Austria's 'Slalom Queen,' whose technical precision and comeback from severe injury defined a generation of alpine ski racing.
Born 1981 (age 45)·Austrian alpine skier·Birthday: May 31·Millennials
Biography
Marlies Schild dominated the World Cup slalom circuit with a blend of razor-sharp technique and fierce competitiveness that felt both artistic and ruthless. For over a decade, she was the woman to beat in the technical events, accumulating crystal globes and championship medals with methodical consistency. Her rivalry with Maria Höfl-Riesch was a highlight of the era. Schild's career narrative, however, is underscored by profound resilience. A horrific crash in 2008 resulted in a complex tibia and fibula fracture that threatened her career. Her return to the top of the podium was a triumph of will. She retired as the most successful female slalom skier in World Cup history at the time, a record since surpassed, but her legacy remains that of a pure technician who mastered the dance between gate and edge.
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.
Marlies was born in 1981, 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 Marlies Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Marlies's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
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
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won 37 World Cup slalom races, making her the most successful female slalom skier at the time of her retirement.
- Secured five World Cup season titles in the slalom discipline (2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013).
- Earned four Olympic medals: two silvers (2006 combined, 2014 slalom) and two bronzes (2006 slalom, 2010 slalom).
- Collected seven medals at the Alpine World Ski Championships, including two golds (2011, 2013 team event).
Did You Know?
She is married to fellow Austrian alpine skier Benjamin Raich, and they are often referred to as Austria's 'skiing power couple.'.
Schild's younger sister, Bernadette, is also a World Cup alpine skier.
She broke her leg so badly in 2008 that doctors initially considered amputation.
She held the record for most World Cup podiums in a single discipline (slalom) for several years.
“After my injury, every race I finished felt like a victory.”
