Born on 28 February 1978 in Arzl im Pitztal, he became one of the most decorated racers in the history of the sport, eventually retiring from competition in September 2015 after nearly two decades on the international circuit.
Early Career and Breakthrough
Raich established his technical proficiency by winning Junior World Championships in both slalom and giant slalom. He transitioned to the senior level in March 1996, making his debut on the World Cup tour. By January 1999, he reached his first top-three result, signaling a consistent progression that resulted in his first career race victory later that same year.
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The 2006 season marked the peak of his performance, as he secured the World Cup overall title. During the 2006 Turin Olympics, he claimed gold medals in both slalom and giant slalom. Previously, he earned two bronze medals at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. His medal tally at the Winter Olympics and World Championships reached 14 over the course of his active years.
Consistency and Records
Raich maintained high standings in the World Cup overall rankings, achieving one first-place finish and five second-place finishes. He secured nine seasonal titles: one overall, three in slalom, three in combined, and two in giant slalom. With 36 career victories, he holds the highest score of total World Cup points in history, surpassing the previous record held by Kjetil André Aamodt.
Final Years
As his career progressed, Raich expanded his versatility to include super-G, winning his first and only World Cup race in that discipline at Crans Montana in February 2012. He continued competing for several years, achieving his final podium finish in a giant slalom race at Garmisch-Partenkirchen in March 2015. He formally announced his retirement on 10 September 2015.
Fast facts
- Born: 28 February 1978, Arzl im Pitztal, Austria
- World Cup overall titles: 1
- Total World Cup race victories: 36
- Olympic gold medals: 2 (2006)
- Retirement date: 10 September 2015
- Spouse: Marlies Schild
- Awards: Skieur d'or (2006)
Questions readers ask
In which disciplines did Benjamin Raich compete?
He competed in all alpine disciplines except for downhill.
How many medals did he win at the World Championships and Olympics?
He won a total of 14 medals across these two competitions.
