From 1989-92 Petra Kronberger was the greatest women’s skiier in the world, winning the overall World Cup title in 1989-90, 1990-91, and 1991-92. She was Austrian Sportswoman of the Year in 1990-92. An all-around skiier, she won only one event World Cup title – the 1990-91 slalom – but had seven podiums in seasonal event World Cups. Kronberger was first noticed internationally in 1987 when she won a silver medal in giant slalom at the World Junior Championships. She won one World Championship, the 1991 downhill at Saalbach-Hinterglemm, and notched 16 World Cup race wins, with 35 podiums, all of this done in a short span of four seasons of international racing.
Kronberger started the 1992-93 season, but abruptly retired in December 1992, surprising many. She studied German literature and art history, earned a Master’s degree, and taught as an assistant professor. She settled in Salzburg where she worked in education and the arts, both at the Salzburg Museum and the Hohensalzburg Fortress. An excellent singer, Kronberger was active with the Salzburg Cathedral Choir and the Klangscala and was in a 2012 National Theatre production of La Traviata. She also served on the Organizing Committee for the 2013 World Championships in Schladming. Kronberger won the Skier d’Or award in 1992 and in 1996 was given a grand decoration for her services to the Republic of Austria.
Austria