From a farm in Upper Austria to the top of the world — the definitive story of alpine skiing’s most complete speed racer, 2026 Olympic silver medalist, and the man behind one of the sport’s most celebrated marriages.
Vincent Kriechmayr is Austria’s greatest active alpine ski racer — a two-time World Champion, 18-time World Cup winner, and 2026 Olympic silver medalist who claimed his long-awaited Olympic medal at the Milano Cortina Games. Born on October 1, 1991, in Gramastetten, Upper Austria, the 34-year-old speed specialist is equally celebrated off the mountain, having married fellow Austrian ski racer Michaela Heider in June 2024. This is his complete biography — updated for 2026.
Early Life & Background
Vincent Kriechmayr was born on October 1, 1991, in Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. He grew up in Gramastetten, a small municipality in the Mühlviertel region of Upper Austria, and was raised on a farm — an upbringing that instilled in him a work ethic, patience, and a deep appreciation for the Austrian landscape. His parents were instrumental in nurturing his passion for skiing from an early age.
Like many elite Austrian ski racers, Kriechmayr was introduced to the slopes almost as soon as he could walk. Austria has a storied tradition in alpine skiing, having produced legends such as Hermann Maier, Stephan Eberharter, and Franz Klammer, and Kriechmayr grew up surrounded by that legacy. He progressed through the ÖSV junior development pipeline, gradually refining the technical precision and explosive power that would define his career on the World Cup circuit.
He was never considered an early prodigy who burst onto the scene at 17 or 18. Instead, Kriechmayr’s rise was methodical — the product of years of investment in technique and physical conditioning. That patient, incremental approach ultimately produced one of the most decorated Austrian skiers in the modern era.
Career Overview & Key Milestones
Kriechmayr made his FIS Alpine Ski World Cup debut in December 2010, at just 19 years old. His early seasons were spent learning the circuit and accumulating experience on demanding downhill and super-G courses across Europe and North America. Progress was steady but not meteoric — he did not record a World Cup podium until March 2015.
The 2021 World Championship Double — Making History
The apex of Vincent Kriechmayr’s career arrived at the 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. On February 11, he took the super-G gold with a time of 1:19.41, edging Romed Baumann of Germany by a mere 0.07 seconds. Three days later, on February 14, he won the downhill in 1:37.79 — prevailing by just 0.01 seconds over Andreas Sander of Germany in one of the closest finishes in World Championship history.
Kriechmayr became only the third male skier in history to complete the speed double — downhill and super-G gold — at a single World Championship, joining Hermann Maier (1999) and Bode Miller (2005).
— FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, Cortina d’Ampezzo 2021The achievement was remarkable not just for its rarity, but for the conditions in which it was accomplished. The Cortina downhill course was icy following an extremely cold night, placing a premium on technical precision alongside raw speed. Kriechmayr delivered on both fronts, demonstrating why the Austrian is particularly dangerous on technically demanding courses that reward controlled aggression.
The double also made Kriechmayr the first Austrian man to claim both speed golds at a single World Championship since Hermann Maier in 1999 — an achievement that immediately placed him alongside the sport’s all-time greats in Austrian sporting consciousness.
| Year | Event | Discipline | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | World Championships – Åre | Super-G | Silver 🥈 |
| 2021 | World Championships – Cortina d’Ampezzo | Super-G | Gold 🥇 |
| 2021 | World Championships – Cortina d’Ampezzo | Downhill | Gold 🥇 |
| 2025 | World Championships – Saalbach-Hinterglemm | Downhill | Silver 🥈 |
| 2026 | Winter Olympics – Milano Cortina | Team Combined | Silver 🥈 |
World Cup Record — 18 Victories Across Two Disciplines
Vincent Kriechmayr is a rare breed of speed specialist who excels equally in both of alpine skiing’s premier speed events. As of the 2024/25 season, he has accumulated 18 World Cup victories — nine in downhill and nine in super-G — and more than 37 total podium finishes.
His victories span the most iconic courses on the World Cup calendar: the Lauberhorn in Wengen (Switzerland), the Stelvio in Bormio (Italy), Val Gardena, and Kvitfjell (Norway). His ability to deliver consistently across different course profiles — flat and fast or technical and steep — sets him apart from many of his contemporaries who specialise in just one discipline type.
In the 2020/21 season, Kriechmayr not only claimed the World Championship double but also won the super-G discipline globe — the season-long title for the best super-G racer on the circuit. That season remains the high-water mark of his career, though he has continued to perform at the very top level in subsequent campaigns.
In 2023/24, he finished sixth overall in the World Cup standings with 707 points, also claiming second place in the super-G discipline standings — a performance that underscored his enduring consistency at the highest level even as a new generation of challengers, including Swiss star Franjo von Allmen, has entered the picture.
2026 Winter Olympics — Olympic Silver in Milano Cortina
After years of chasing his first Olympic medal, Vincent Kriechmayr finally added one to his remarkable trophy cabinet at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy. While individual downhill and super-G medals eluded him — he placed 6th in downhill and 7th in super-G — he earned a celebrated silver medal in the inaugural men’s team combined event.
Partnered with slalom specialist Manuel Feller, Kriechmayr handled the downhill leg of the team combined on the famous Stelvio course in Bormio. Their combined time of 2:45.03 (+0.99) was shared in a dramatic tie with the Swiss pair of Marco Odermatt and Loïc Meillard — both nations collecting the same silver medal. The gold went to Switzerland’s Franjo von Allmen and Tanguy Nef, who recorded a combined time of 2:44.04.
Celebrating a medal at the Olympics is a childhood dream come true. It’s even better if you can share it with someone else.
— Manuel Feller, Kriechmayr’s silver medal teammate, Milano Cortina 2026The silver medal was a deeply meaningful moment for Kriechmayr, who had been a dominant force on the World Cup circuit for over a decade without an Olympic medal to his name. Competing on home-continent ice — the Stelvio course is one of the most demanding on the World Cup calendar — added extra significance to the result.
Vincent Kriechmayr’s Wife — Michaela Heider
One of the most frequently searched topics about Vincent Kriechmayr is his personal life — specifically, who is Vincent Kriechmayr’s wife? The answer: Michaela Heider, a retired Austrian alpine ski racer and former skicross athlete who is herself a celebrated figure in Austrian skiing history.
| Full Name | Michaela Heider Kriechmayr |
| Born | 1996, Knittelfeld, Styria, Austria |
| Disciplines | Alpine Skiing (Downhill, Super-G), Skicross |
| Greatest Achievement | Gold Medal – Skicross, 2012 Youth Winter Olympics, Innsbruck |
| Best World Cup Result | 14th place, Super-G (2020) |
| Retired | April 2024 |
| Married | Vincent Kriechmayr, June 2024 |
Born in Knittelfeld, Styria, Michaela Heider was widely regarded as one of the most talented young skiers of her generation. She first rose to prominence by winning the gold medal in Skicross at the 2012 Youth Winter Olympics in Innsbruck — an incredible achievement at such a young age that marked her out as a future star of the sport.
After shifting her focus to the FIS Alpine World Cup, competing primarily in downhill and super-G, Heider’s career was unfortunately plagued by a string of injuries that prevented her from fulfilling her early promise at the highest level. Despite these setbacks, she competed with determination for several seasons as part of the ÖSV (Austrian Ski Federation) squad, earning World Cup points and the respect of her peers.
In April 2024, Heider announced her retirement from competitive skiing, closing a chapter on an athletic career shaped as much by courage in the face of adversity as by raw talent. Her Instagram farewell post reflected on her journey with characteristic grace, expressing both pride in what she had achieved and excitement for the next phase of her life — which was already taking shape in the form of her imminent wedding to Kriechmayr.
The Wedding — A Fairy-Tale Ceremony in Styria
Vincent Kriechmayr and Michaela Heider had been together since approximately 2018, but the pair were notably private about their relationship for most of that time. That changed in spectacular fashion in the summer of 2024 when they tied the knot in a memorable ceremony that sent waves through the Austrian skiing world and captured the hearts of fans across Europe.
The couple married in June 2024 at Schlosshotel Obermayerhofen, a historic castle hotel nestled in the heart of Styria — Heider’s home region. The event was steeped in Austrian tradition: Kriechmayr wore traditional Lederhosen, while Heider looked stunning in a white bridal gown. The celebration was accompanied by live music from the Poxrucker Sisters, a beloved Austrian folk band with roots in Kriechmayr’s home county of Rohrbach — a personal touch that linked both of their cultural backgrounds.
“Es ist offiziell” — It is official. The skiing world’s favourite couple had said yes, and the entire ÖSV community celebrated with them.
— Michaela Heider’s Instagram announcement, June 2024Heider announced the wedding on Instagram with the caption “Es ist offiziell” (“It is official”), accompanied by a black-and-white photograph of the couple — she in her wedding dress, Kriechmayr in traditional Austrian Tracht. The post immediately went viral within the Austrian sports community, drawing congratulations from dozens of fellow World Cup athletes including Marco Schwarz, Kira Weidle, Nadia Delago, Katharina Liensberger, Nina Ortlieb, and Tamara Tippler.
Adding a touch of drama and warmth to the pre-wedding story: Heider had suffered a minor chin injury during her bachelorette party in Slovenia just weeks before the wedding — the result of an unfortunate tumble on a water slide. The incident, far from dampening spirits, only seemed to endear the couple further to fans, who dubbed them the ultimate “Traumpaar” (dream couple) of Austrian skiing.
The couple is now known in skiing circles as one of the sport’s most celebrated partnerships — two athletes who competed at the highest level, understood each other’s dedication and sacrifice, and built a relationship rooted in shared passion and mutual respect.
Vincent Kriechmayr Net Worth
While Vincent Kriechmayr does not publicly disclose his financial details, his net worth can be reasonably estimated based on available data about World Cup prize money, endorsement deals, and career earnings.
Prize Money
World Cup athletes earn prize money for each race result, with significant additional bonuses for Crystal Globe discipline wins and overall standings. Kriechmayr has accumulated over CHF 1.3 million in career World Cup prize money alone. With major championship bonuses from national federations (Austria’s ÖSV is known for generous performance bonuses), total race earnings are substantially higher.
Sponsorships & Endorsements
As one of the world’s top alpine ski racers and a double World Champion, Kriechmayr commands considerable brand value. His sponsors include ski equipment and apparel brands — standard for elite World Cup racers. Austrian and international sports brands pay top-tier athletes significant retainers for equipment deals, appearance fees, and marketing campaigns.
Estimated Net Worth
Based on career prize money, sponsorship income, and appearance fees, Vincent Kriechmayr’s estimated net worth is between $3 million and $5 million USD (approximately €2.7 million–€4.5 million). This figure is consistent with comparable elite alpine ski racers at his career stage. It is worth noting that alpine skiing, while financially rewarding at the top, does not produce the billionaire wealth associated with team sports like football or basketball.
Personal Life — Beyond the Slopes
Roots in Upper Austria
Kriechmayr is deeply connected to his Upper Austrian roots. He grew up on a farm in Gramastetten and has maintained his connection to rural Upper Austria throughout his career — even choosing a Poxrucker Sisters performance at his wedding, referencing his home region. This grounded, unpretentious character is frequently cited by teammates and coaches as one of his defining qualities.
Privacy and Character
Despite his fame within the skiing world, Kriechmayr is known for guarding his private life carefully. He maintains a relatively limited public social media presence compared to many of his contemporaries. His approach stands in contrast to athletes who cultivate large personal brands — Kriechmayr’s brand is almost entirely built on what he does on the mountain rather than off it.
Twin Brother Rafael
Many fans searching for “Vincent Kriechmayr Zwillingsbruder” (twin brother) will be pleased to know the answer is confirmed: Vincent does have a twin brother named Rafael Kriechmayr. The brothers share a close bond and grew up together on the family farm in Gramastetten. While Rafael has not pursued a professional ski racing career at the World Cup level, the twins remain tight-knit — a relationship Vincent has referenced warmly in interviews over the years.
Skiing Philosophy
In interviews, Kriechmayr has often spoken about the importance of technical perfection over brute aggression in speed skiing — a philosophy that squares with his career trajectory. He is particularly adept at reading race courses during training runs and making subtle technical adjustments, a skill that allows him to compete effectively across a wider range of snow conditions and course profiles than many rivals.