They became heroes at the Olympics, from left: Verena Hofer, Emanuel Rieder, Simon Kainzwaldner, Dominik Fischnaller, Andrea Vötter and Marion Oberhofer. © APA/afp / FRANCK FIFE

50.000 euros for a toboggan: Our heroes in a different light

One won a World Championship medal in a different sport, another built his own sled – and yet another only sat on a racing sled for the first time at the age of 14: We present the somewhat different stories of our medal heroes.

February 13, 2026

From Cortina d'Ampezzo

The South Tyrolean luge team achieved an almost unbelievable record in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Gold in the women's doubles (Andrea Vötter/Marion Oberhofer), gold in the men's doubles (Emanuel Rieder/Simon Kainzwaldner), bronze in the men's singles (Dominik Fischnaller) and finally also bronze in the team relay (Verena Hofer, Fischnaller, Vötter/Oberhofer, Rieder/Kainzwaldner).

This exceeded all expectations. At the conclusion of the competitions, we took a closer look at our heroes – and present some of their slightly different stories.

Andrea Vötter won a bronze medal at the World Championships in another sport.

Andrea Vötter is an Olympic champion. © FELICE CALABRO' / Felice Calabro'

The 30-year-old hails from Völs am Schlern, just like alpine luge legend Patrick Pigneter. The twelve-time world champion, who is officiating as a judge at the ice track in Cortina d'Ampezzo, has a charming anecdote about his fellow countrywoman. "We both grew up in the same club (ASV Völs am Schlern) – and initially, Andrea was a natural track luger. In 2010, she even won bronze at the Junior World Championships in Deutschnofen," Pigneter explains. In fact, Vötter finished third behind Evelin Lanthaler and Alexandra Obrist. It wasn't until her high school years (Vötter attended the sports school in Mals) that she switched to natural track luge.

Marion Oberhofer and the trophy, which was almost as big as she was

Marion Oberhofer is an Olympic champion. © FELICE CALABRO' / Felice Calabro'

The 25-year-old from Rodeneck started luge in elementary school. Her first coach? Gerda Weißensteiner, who became Olympic champion in 1994. "I can still remember how Marion was immediately passionate about the sport and never missed a training session. She was always a rather small and delicate girl, so at first I wasn't sure whether I should let her compete. But Marion always wanted to be there and at her first race, the international Polar Bear Cup in Igls, she received a trophy that felt as big as she was," said Weißensteiner.

Simon Kainzwaldner built a toboggan for around 50.000 euros.

Simon Kainzwaldner is an Olympic champion. © Felice Calabro

His father, Hans, runs a carpentry workshop in Villanders, so Simon was practically born with a knack for craftsmanship. Last spring, the 31-year-old and his doubles partner, Emanuel Rieder, realized a dream. After a disappointing season, they built their own sled – with the help of some local companies. The project cost around €50.000. "Simon is just so skilled with his hands and assembled most of the sled," Rieder says, paying tribute to his teammate. At the Olympics, however, the two relied on the team's sled – and won gold.

Emanuel Rieder became an Olympic champion as a latecomer to the sport.

Emanuel Rieder is an Olympic champion. © FELICE CALABRO' / Felice Calabro'

How did Emanuel Rieder get into luge? "It's a curious story," recalls luge legend Gerda Weißensteiner, the Olympic champion's first coach. "We needed new lugers back then, so I told our boys and girls to bring their friends. Eventually, Dominik and Kevin Fischnaller showed up for training with Emanuel in tow." The only problem was, Emanuel was already 14 years old, played soccer and skied, but had never even driven a luge. "He was a natural talent, you could see that immediately," says Weißensteiner.

Dominik Fischnaller's girlfriend once broke her neck

Dominik Fischnaller won two Olympic bronze medals. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

Since the age of 16, Dominik Fischnaller and Emily Sweeney (married name Fischnaller) have been considered the dream couple of the luge scene. However, the two had to endure some anxious moments at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang: Emily suffered a brutal crash during her run. Initially, she thought everything was okay, but thorough examinations revealed that she had fractured her neck and back. Emily still feels the effects of this crash today, but she still managed to win World Championship medals.

Verena Hofer and not entirely true facts

Verena Hofer won Olympic bronze. © FELICE CALABRO' / Felice Calabro'

When she's not causing a sensation on the ice track, the 24-year-old enjoys spending time in the kitchen – and loves to bake. At least, that's what it says on the official Olympic Games website. But when Hofer is asked about it, she looks puzzled. "The only thing I'm really good at baking is cinnamon rolls; I'm hopeless at everything else," she laughs.