Rainer Schönfelder

Rainer Schönfelder (born June 13, 1977) is an Austrian skier who won the 2003-2004 men's World Cup slalom title.

Career

Born in Bleiburg, Carinthia, Austria, Schönfelder made his debut in the 1995-1996 season, finishing 115th in the overall rankings. He quickly began to excel in the slalom events, and improved his position in the overall World Cup standing to 10th place by the 2003-2004 season.

Apart from his slalom success in the 2003-2004 World Cup, his other achievements include 2 bronze medals (combined and slalom) at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy and a 4th place in the combined event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

On March 27, 2004, Schönfelder tested positive for the stimulant Etilephrine at the Austrian slalom championships. However, he was not banned and is competing in 2004/05, since it was found that he had taken the substance inadvertently while undergoing treatment of influenza. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/3705657.stm Rap for skier Schoenfelder] ]

Rainer Schönfelder has also had some success as a pop singer in Austria, especially with a cover version of Wolfgang Ambros' classic hit "Schifoan" (meaning "skiing").

Schönfelder made headlines on January 10, 2007 by skiing nude after losing a bet with his physiotherapist. [cite web
last = Bulman
first = Erica
title = Skier Skis Nude After Losing Bet
publisher = ABCnews ESPN Sports
date = 2007-01-07
url = http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=2784788
accessdate = 2006-01-07 ]

Trivia

Before the race in Chamonix Schönfelder slipped in the bathroom and got a contusion on his testicles. [cite web|url=http://sport.orf.at/050108-14974/14976bigstory_txt.html|title=Rainer Schönfelders accident in the bath room|publisher=ORF Sport News|date=2007-10-28]

World Cup results

Overall

Individual victories

Notes

Persondata
NAME=Schonfelder, Rainer
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Austrian Alpine skier
DATE OF BIRTH=June 13, 1977
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=