Alexandra Meissnitzer (AUT)

DOB:  06/18/1973  Hometown:  Abtenau

Alexandra Meissnitzer not only fulfilled her wildest dreams during the '98-'99 season, but she also joined an elite group in her home country. Meissnitzer is the fifth Austrian skier to win the women's Overall World Cup title since its inception back in '67. Along the way, she won eight World Cup races in giant slalom, super G and downhill. "Meissi" added to her collection by taking gold in giant slalom and super G at the 1999 World Championships at Vail.

The 26-year-old from Abtenau, south of Salzburg, has been on a roll since '98. At Nagano, she captured two Olympic medals in giant slalom and super G before winning the last giant slalom of the season at the World Cup finals in Crans-Montana. It was sweet revenge after her disappointing '96-'97 winter with mediocre results on the World Cup and a poor performance at the FIS World Championships in Sestriere.

This Austrian star burst onto the scene in '95 by winning two super G races in December and finishing on the podium in two downhills. But Meissnitzer severely twisted her ankle during the FIS World Championships at Sierra Nevada. She raced despite the pain but didn't finish with a medal. Alexandra had sugery, but it took almost a year before she was back in top racing form. The arrival of a new head coach in the team, Karl Frehsner, helped her get motivated again. Meissnitzer trained hard to improve her technique and became a solid giant slalom racer in '98.

Frehsner, who was a successful team director with the Swiss in the '80s, is convinced that Meissnitzer has not yet reached her potential. He praised her passion for ski racing and her conviction while training, saying that she's always looking to improve. Meissnitzer's father, Hans, is the coach of the local ski club. He put her on skis when she was two-years-old and always supported her. Fond of all kinds of sports, Meissnitzer is also a fine football (soccer) player.

— Patrick Lange, MountainZone.com World Cup Correspondent