Horst Schönau

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameHorst•Schönau
Used nameHorst•Schönau
Born2 April 1949 in Waltershausen, Thüringen (GER)
Measurements180 cm / 82 kg
AffiliationsASK Vorwärts Oberhof, Oberhof (GER)
NOC East Germany
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 1
Total 1

Biography

East German bobsledder Horst Schönau won a bronze medal at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics in the four-man bob together with Detlef Richter, Roland Wetzig and brakeman Andreas Kirchner. At the World Championships Schönau added one gold (four-man 1978), one silver (two-man 1981) and one bronze medal (two-man 1982), while at the European Championships he won another gold (two-man 1978), two silvers (two-man 1982, four-man 1981), and one bronze medal (four-man 1978 and 1979).

Schönau started his career as a luger, placing eighth at the 1973 World Championships but then changed to bobsledding. He was educated as a locksmith and became an army officer in the NVA (Nationale Volksarmee). After German reunification he worked in water management in his hometown Waltershausen.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1976 Winter Olympics Bobsleigh (Bobsleigh) GDR Horst Schönau
Two, Men (Olympic) Raimund Bethge 7
Four, Men (Olympic) East Germany 2 4
1980 Winter Olympics Bobsleigh (Bobsleigh) GDR Horst Schönau
Four, Men (Olympic) East Germany 2 3 Bronze

Special Notes