Hans Knauss (AUT)

DOB:  02/09/1971  Hometown:  Schladming

On the surface, Hans Knauss did not have a banner year during '98-'99. Knauss won just one bronze medal at the Vail World Championships and only a single World Cup race last winter. But for an Austrian it was the most important victory he could win: the Hahnenkamm downhill at Kitzbühel. It was a crowning achievement for the skier from Schladming. Knauss proved his all-around skills earlier in his career with a GS and three super G victories.

"Hansi" clinched an Olympic silver medal in super G in Nagano but, competing against the incredible skill level of his own team, barely made the squad for Colorado less than a year later. Knauss has been on the World Cup tour since '93. He was raised in a family totally dedicated to ski racing. His father Bernhard was a promising regional skier before World War II. He taught Hans to ski while working at a ski lift overlooking the valley of Schladming near his home.

His older brother, also named Bernhard, was very successful on the pro tour. A nine-time pro World Champion in the '90s, Bernhard Jr. raced for Slovenia at the '98 Olympics in Nagano. His equipment serviceman, Franz, also handles Knauss on the World Cup circuit. Knauss has finished fifth in the Overall World Cup standings. Despite a knee injury in October '99, Knauss is still looking to finally move onto the podium in the Overall World Cup.

— Patrick Lange, MountainZone.com World Cup Correspondent