Baldur Preiml

Baldur Preiml was born in Carinthia and started ski jumping in his youth. He was a successful junior and joined the Austrian senior national team at the age of 20. In January 1964 he won the Four Hills Tournament round in Bischofshofen and finished third overall. Only one month later Preiml won the gold medal at the Winter Universiade held in Špindlerův Mlýn.

In 1968 he won an Olympic bronze medal when he finished third on the normal hill in Grenoble. He retired soon after and finished his studies in sport and history. From 1970-76 he worked as teacher in the skiing gymnasium at Stams and from 1974-80 was the head coach of the Austrian national ski jumping team.

During his time as head coach Austria become one of the leading ski jumping nations. His new training methods included mental training and nutritional science as well as technical revolutions in skis and jumping suits started the so-called “Österreichisches Springerwunder” (“Austrian ski jumping miracle”). Among his pupils were Willi Pürstl, first Austrian Four Hills tournament winner after more than 20 years in 1975 when Austria won all four events, Karl Schnabl, first Austrian Olympic ski jumping gold medalist, and Toni Innauer as well as the second generation with Hubert Neuper and Armin Kogler.

From 1987-91 Preiml managed the sport section of the Federal Ministry of Education, Arts and Sport. In 1996 he was awarded a Decoration of Merit in Gold for Services to the Republic of Austria.