Patrick Ortlieb
An Austrian downhill specialist who seized Olympic gold on the sport's most treacherous stage, the Hahnenkamm.
Born 1967 (age 59)·Austrian skier·Birthday: May 17·Generation X
Biography
Patrick Ortlieb emerged from the Austrian Alps with a singular focus: speed. Born in 1967, he became a fixture on the World Cup circuit in the early 1990s, a fearless competitor in downhill and super-G. His career apex arrived at the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, where he conquered the legendary Val-d'Isère course to win the downhill gold medal, a victory that cemented his status as a master of alpine racing's most dangerous discipline. Beyond the Olympics, Ortlieb claimed a World Championship title in downhill in 1996, demonstrating his consistency at the highest level. His aggressive, committed style made him a fan favorite and a respected figure in the Austrian skiing dynasty. After retiring from competition, he remained connected to the sport, his legacy that of a pure speed specialist who thrived under maximum pressure.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Patrick was born in 1967, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Patrick Was Born
The biggest hits of 1967
#1 Movie
The Jungle Book
Best Picture
In the Heat of the Night
#1 TV Show
The Andy Griffith Show
Patrick's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1967Born
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1972Started school
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1980Became a teenager
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1983Could drive
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1985Could vote
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1988Turned 21
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1997Turned 30
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
2007Turned 40
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 50
#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
2026Age 59 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the gold medal in the downhill at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville.
- Secured the World Championship title in downhill at Sierra Nevada in 1996.
- Achieved multiple World Cup podium finishes throughout the early 1990s.
Did You Know?
His Olympic gold medal win in 1992 was Austria's first gold in the men's downhill since 1976.
He is named after Saint Patrick because he was born on March 17, St. Patrick's Day.
After retiring, he worked as a ski commentator for Austrian television.
“There is no room for hesitation. You either commit to the line or you crash.”
