Milan (RWH) Italian Armin Zoeggeler, who has just announced his retirement in Milan, will be remembered as a record-breaking luger. The 40-year-old South Tyrolean was the first ever winter sportsman to win six medals at six Olympic appearances, taking two golds (2002 and 2006), one silver (1998) and three bronze medals (1994, 2010 and 2014). Zoeggeler is also a record-breaking International Luge Federation (FIL) champion, with six World Championship titles (1995, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2011). He also won three silver medals (2000, 2007, 2009) and one bronze medal (2012) at the FIL World Championships.

The Junior World Champion of 1993 and 1994 also took ten overall victories in the Viessmann World Cup (1998, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011), a feat that had previously only been achieved by Austrian Markus Prock. Zoeggeler garnered a total of 57 individual victories, most recently on 26 January 2014 with his win in Sigulda, Latvia.

With this victory, he also picked up the title of European Champion for the third time, following his wins in 2004 and 2008. He also has two silver medals (2006 and 2012) and three bronze (1994, 2000, 2002). In addition, Zoeggeler’s record of remaining unbeaten in all races on the artificial track in Cesana (Italy) will never be broken, as the 2006 Olympic track is no longer in use.

During a career spanning more than 20 years, the South Tyrolean from Lana, near Merano, won a total of 24 medals at the Winter Olympic Games and the World and European Championships. Additional Zoeggeler won five medals as a member of the Italian Team or the Team Relay.