Kati Wilhelm
Encyclopedia
Kati Wilhelm (born August 2, 1976 in Schmalkalden
, Thuringia
) is a German
former professional biathlete
. Like most German biathletes she is also a member of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr
) with the rank of master sergeant
(Hauptfeldwebel). She currently resides in Steinbach-Hallenberg
, also in the Federal State of Thuringia.
Kati Wilhelm was born in Schmalkalden
, in the Federal State of Thuringia
, Germany
. She started training cross-country skiing
as a child in 1983 and was a member of the German cross-country ski team at the 1998 Nagano Olympic Games
. In 1999, while attending the Military World Games
, she came into contact with biathlon
and was hooked on the sport. Her decision to switch to biathlon proved to be a good one. The next year she experienced her first successes including a World Cup
victory. During the Salt Lake City Olympic Games in 2002
, she was the most decorated female biathlete, winning gold medals in the 7.5 km sprint and the 4 X 6 km relay. She also won a silver medal in the 10 km pursuit. After two years of struggling, she finally moved to Ruhpolding
, Bavaria in 2004. She regained her strength and placed second in the 2004-05 World Cup season, defeated only by Frenchwoman Sandrine Bailly
. At the 2006 Winter Olympics
in Turin
, she carried the German flag at the opening ceremony. After winning her third Olympic gold medal in the 10 km pursuit as well as silver in the mass start and with the German relay, she became the best female biathlete at the Olympics ever. Moreover, she dominated the 2005-06 World Cup season, winning six races and the overall World Cup trophy. She was elected "biathlete of the year 2006" as well as "German sportswoman of the year 2006". In total she has 21 IBU Biathlon World Cup
wins.
In the 2006-07 World Cup season
, she finished second for the overall World Cup title behind teammate Andrea Henkel
. In the 2008-09 World Cup season, she finished second for the overall World Cup title behind Helena Jonsson
, with both biathletes scoring 952 points. Jonsson was awarded the overall title by virtue of her 4 World Cup victories against Wilhelm's 3.
The German media gave her the nickname "Rotkäppchen" (Little Red Riding Hood
) because of her characteristic red hair and the red cap she uses in competition. She was able to translate her Olympic victories into multiple endorsement deals, including print and television advertising.
Wilhelm announced her retirement from biathlon on 9 March 2010 so that she could focus on her studies.
She took part in the International biathlon competition on the “Prize in memory of Vitaly Fatyanov”, Kamchatka 2010. The event was held in Kamchatka, Russia
on 15-17 April, where Kati came 3rd in Sprint and won a Pursuit race.
In 2004, Wilhelm was a delegate to the Federal Convention for the Social Democrats
.
Schmalkalden
- Notable people :*Christoph Cellarius, scholar, born 22 November 1638, died 4 June 1707 in Halle*Christian Karl August Ludwig von Massenbach, colonel, born 16 April 1758, died 21 November 1827 at Białokosz...
, Thuringia
Thuringia
The Free State of Thuringia is a state of Germany, located in the central part of the country.It has an area of and 2.29 million inhabitants, making it the sixth smallest by area and the fifth smallest by population of Germany's sixteen states....
) is a German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
former professional biathlete
Biathlon
Biathlon is a term used to describe any sporting event made up of two disciplines. However, biathlon usually refers specifically to the winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting...
. Like most German biathletes she is also a member of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr
Bundeswehr
The Bundeswehr consists of the unified armed forces of Germany and their civil administration and procurement authorities...
) with the rank of master sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
(Hauptfeldwebel). She currently resides in Steinbach-Hallenberg
Steinbach-Hallenberg
Steinbach-Hallenberg is a town in the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district, in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated in the Thuringian Forest, 8 km east of Schmalkalden, and 13 km northwest of Suhl.-References:-External links:*...
, also in the Federal State of Thuringia.
Kati Wilhelm was born in Schmalkalden
Schmalkalden
- Notable people :*Christoph Cellarius, scholar, born 22 November 1638, died 4 June 1707 in Halle*Christian Karl August Ludwig von Massenbach, colonel, born 16 April 1758, died 21 November 1827 at Białokosz...
, in the Federal State of Thuringia
Thuringia
The Free State of Thuringia is a state of Germany, located in the central part of the country.It has an area of and 2.29 million inhabitants, making it the sixth smallest by area and the fifth smallest by population of Germany's sixteen states....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. She started training cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
as a child in 1983 and was a member of the German cross-country ski team at the 1998 Nagano Olympic Games
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
. In 1999, while attending the Military World Games
Military World Games
The Military World Games is a multi-sport event for military sportspeople, organized by the International Military Sports Council . The Games have been held since 1995, although championships for separate sports had been held for some years. A winter edition of the games has been recently created...
, she came into contact with biathlon
Biathlon
Biathlon is a term used to describe any sporting event made up of two disciplines. However, biathlon usually refers specifically to the winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting...
and was hooked on the sport. Her decision to switch to biathlon proved to be a good one. The next year she experienced her first successes including a World Cup
Biathlon World Cup
The Biathlon World Cup has been held since the winter seasons of 1977/78 and 1982/83, for men and women, respectively ....
victory. During the Salt Lake City Olympic Games in 2002
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
, she was the most decorated female biathlete, winning gold medals in the 7.5 km sprint and the 4 X 6 km relay. She also won a silver medal in the 10 km pursuit. After two years of struggling, she finally moved to Ruhpolding
Ruhpolding
Ruhpolding is a municipality of the Traunstein district in southeastern Bavaria, Germany. It is situated in the south of the Chiemgau region in the Alps. Ruhpolding has a population of approximately 6,400....
, Bavaria in 2004. She regained her strength and placed second in the 2004-05 World Cup season, defeated only by Frenchwoman Sandrine Bailly
Sandrine Bailly
Sandrine Bailly is a former French biathlete. She was most successful in the 2004–05 season, when she could win the overall World Cup, and in the 2007–08 season, when she finished second...
. At the 2006 Winter Olympics
2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
in Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, she carried the German flag at the opening ceremony. After winning her third Olympic gold medal in the 10 km pursuit as well as silver in the mass start and with the German relay, she became the best female biathlete at the Olympics ever. Moreover, she dominated the 2005-06 World Cup season, winning six races and the overall World Cup trophy. She was elected "biathlete of the year 2006" as well as "German sportswoman of the year 2006". In total she has 21 IBU Biathlon World Cup
Biathlon World Cup
The Biathlon World Cup has been held since the winter seasons of 1977/78 and 1982/83, for men and women, respectively ....
wins.
In the 2006-07 World Cup season
2006-07 Biathlon World Cup
The 2006−07 Biathlon World Cup was a multi-race tournament over a season of biathlon, organised by the International Biathlon Union. The season lasted from 29 November 2006 to 18 March 2007....
, she finished second for the overall World Cup title behind teammate Andrea Henkel
Andrea Henkel
Andrea Henkel is a German biathlete and the younger sister of Manuela Henkel, a successful cross-country skier. She trains at SV Großbreitenbach...
. In the 2008-09 World Cup season, she finished second for the overall World Cup title behind Helena Jonsson
Helena Jonsson
Helena Ekholm is a Swedish biathlete. She was born in Helgum, Sollefteå Municipality. She is the reigning world champion in pursuit. She also won the Women's Biathlon World Cup in the 2008-09 season....
, with both biathletes scoring 952 points. Jonsson was awarded the overall title by virtue of her 4 World Cup victories against Wilhelm's 3.
The German media gave her the nickname "Rotkäppchen" (Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood, also known as Little Red Cap, is a French fairy tale about a young girl and a Big Bad Wolf. The story has been changed considerably in its history and subject to numerous modern adaptations and readings....
) because of her characteristic red hair and the red cap she uses in competition. She was able to translate her Olympic victories into multiple endorsement deals, including print and television advertising.
Wilhelm announced her retirement from biathlon on 9 March 2010 so that she could focus on her studies.
She took part in the International biathlon competition on the “Prize in memory of Vitaly Fatyanov”, Kamchatka 2010. The event was held in Kamchatka, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
on 15-17 April, where Kati came 3rd in Sprint and won a Pursuit race.
In 2004, Wilhelm was a delegate to the Federal Convention for the Social Democrats
Social Democratic Party of Germany
The Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
.
Other Biathlon achievements
- Biathlon World CupBiathlon World CupThe Biathlon World Cup has been held since the winter seasons of 1977/78 and 1982/83, for men and women, respectively ....
- 1x overall winner (2005-06)
- 3x overall runner-up (2004-05, 2006-07, 2008-09)
- 21 individual victories
Cross-country skiing achievements
- Winter Olympics best finish
- 1998: 7th in 4 x 5 km relay, 16th in 30 km
- FIS Nordic World Ski ChampionshipsFIS Nordic World Ski ChampionshipsThe FIS Nordic World Ski Championships have been held in various numbers and types of events since 1925 for men and since 1954 for women. Championship events include nordic skiing's three disciplines: cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and nordic combined...
- 1997: 24th in 15 km, 51st in 30 km
- 1999: 21st in 15 km
- World Cup
- Best finish: 13th in 10 km at RussiaRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
: 1998
- Best finish: 13th in 10 km at Russia
- Lone career victory
- 5 km FIS Race at AustriaAustriaAustria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
: 1996
- 5 km FIS Race at Austria