Gerd Gradwohl

Gerd Gradwohl ( born January 16, 1960 in Kempten ( Allgäu) ) is the first visually impaired German alpine skiers who could win a gold medal at the Paralympics.

Gerd Gradwohl, who has a visual acuity of 1/50, denies since the winter of 1999/2000 ski race for the German Paralympic ski team ( DPS ). He was visually impaired by macular degeneration and glaucoma. He lives in October 2006 in Kempten and together with his wife Nada, a physiotherapy practice.

Sporting success

With its accompanying runners Karl -Heinz Vachenauer of mountains in Bavaria at the Winter Paralympics in 2006 he managed to win in the downhill on the track in Sestriere Borgata -. In the super -G was a controversial disqualification and forfeiture of the second gold medal due to a large distance from Karl -Heinz Vachenauer by about 1-2 meters. In the slalom, the duo was able to win a bronze medal.

2009 at the World Championships in Korea despite injury in the Super -G three days before the World Cup title in the downhill can be achieved. In the World Cup Finals in Vancouver in connection still managed to a victory that meant the overall World Cup Downhill in the 2008/9 season.

During the preparations for the Paralympics in March 2011, there was a problem of severe injury with a spiral fracture in the right leg. Incurred during slalom training in late July 2010 after a threader in the ski hall Wittenburg.

Despite the severe injury rehabilitation managed up to the Paralympics in March 2011., Where Gradwohl & Vachenauer could still win a bronze medal in the downhill. Following the Paralympics Gerd Gradwohl ended his skiing career. Karl -Heinz Vachenauer remained the team as a serviceman.

Gerd Gradwohl is also a two-time support of the silver laurel, was appointed Honorary athletes of Mainz, in 2010 was awarded the Bavarian sports award and was Athlete of the Year in 2006 and 2010 in Kempten.

His physiotherapy practice has received numerous awards for achievements in the profession for disabled people in Bavaria.

More Stations

World Cup gold in the downhill in 2009 in Korea, gold Appreciation departure 2008/9 in the IPC World Cup Bronze 2010 Paralympics in Vancouver.

Awards

Silver Laurel 2006 and 2010, Bavarian Sport Award 2009 Sportsman of the Year in Kempten in 2006 and 2009.