Anna Schaffelhuber

Anna Katharina Schaffelhuber, born on January 26, 1993, in Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany, developed paraplegia due to an incomplete spinal cord. She began monoskiing at the age of five and by fourteen, her talent was recognized with a scholarship to a national junior skiing program. Schaffelhuber specializes in the LW10 para-alpine skiing classification, utilizing a sitting mono-ski and outriggers, a technique she has mastered to achieve significant competitive success. Her early career highlights include joining the German national team in 2007 and making her Paralympic debut at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Schaffelhuber’s career is marked by consistent high-level performance and numerous medals. At the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics, she secured a bronze medal in the Super-G, signaling her arrival on the international stage. She further established her dominance at the 2011 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships in Sestriere, Italy, winning three gold medals in Super-Combined, Slalom, and Giant Slalom, along with a silver in the team event. The 2013 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships in La Molina saw her defend her slalom title and add multiple silver and bronze medals across various disciplines, solidifying her position as a leading athlete in her sport.

Her most notable achievement came at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, where she achieved a historic feat by sweeping all five women’s sitting alpine skiing events, earning five gold medals. This performance made her only the second athlete to accomplish such a sweep in alpine skiing at the Paralympics. Following this, she continued her success at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, securing two more gold medals and one silver. Schaffelhuber’s dedication and consistent results have made her one of Germany’s most successful Para alpine skiers, receiving accolades such as the International Paralympic Committee’s athlete of the month and Germany’s Disabled Athlete of the Year.