La Loupe St. Anton, St. Christoph & Stuben am Arlberg No. 6

Mario Matt was born in Zams
in 1979. His passion for skiing
is something he inherited from
his parents, two avid skiers –
which is why it comes as no
surprise that he first stood on
skis at only two years old and
regularly raced from the age
of six. One Olympic Gold, two
World Championship titles and
14 World Cup victories later the
Arlberg Eagle ended his active
career in 2015. The Tyrolean
still doesn’t get bored though,
he runs the Après Ski Bar Krazy
Kanguruh in St. Anton and
proves his skill as the father of a
baby daughter.
“The passion for
skiing definitely
runs in the family. ”
“Without my
parents my career
would not have been
possible. ”
“After all the setbacks
and injuries,
the success in Sotchi
was all the more
precious. ”
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L.L. Congratulations, on 14 October 2017 your
baby daughter Aurelia was born. As a former
professional skier, how would you react if she
decided to join the ski circus a few years from
now? What wisdom would you impart to her?
M.M. If that were really what my daughter
wanted to do I would certainly support her. The
fun in skiing should still be the most important
thing though, especially when you’re young –
the pressure comes soon enough. I think that as
a child and teenager the ski circus should not be
looked at with such dogged determination.
I would wish for a more relaxed attitude here.
L.L. You entered your first competition at the
age of three. 17 years later, at the age of 20, you
entered your first World Cup. Would you say
that your talent and passion for skiing was
imparted by your parents who are avid skiers
themselves?
M.M. The passion for skiing definitely runs in the family.
Without my parents my career would not have been possible.
They always supported me and when I was young they did
not push too hard – which is why it never ceased to be fun.
That was ideal. They still motivated me and encouraged me
whenever it was necessary though.
L.L. Your career was stellar until you had to fight a few
setbacks in the 2001/02 season: a serious shoulder injury
followed by more injuries at training camp. Where did the
motivation to keep going come from?
M.M. I always knew that as soon as my health was restored
I had good potential and I would return to the top. After an
injury one has to fight one’s way back into the sport, start
with the high start numbers and work yourself up step by
step. In a situation such as this it’s important to set one’s goals
differently and simply focus on qualifying again.