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Carina Edlinger

Carina Edlinger

Austrian flag
Austria
Nordic Skiing
1

Carina Edlinger has high expectations for her second World Championships in Prince George, Canada. The Austrian vision impaired skier has recently sealed four cross-country wins over two 2018-19 World Cups.

She was a bit disappointed after her performance at her maiden Winter Paralympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Prior to the Games, Edlinger had confirmed her status as a clear candidate for gold after finishing as the overall cross-country World Cup winner for a second successive year.

But she struggled with the pressure and had to settle for bronze in the women´s cross-country middle distance vision impaired at PyeongChang 2018. She will most certainly have many more opportunities to win a Paralympic gold.

Edlinger’s debut season in 2016-17 was stunning.

The Austrian claimed gold in the women’s cross-country sprint and long distance vision impaired events at the World Championships in Finsterau, Germany. She also added a bronze to her haul in the cross-country middle distance.

Edlinger finished as the overall winner of the cross-country World Cup after capturing four wins and six other podium-finishes.

Edlinger’s sight in both eyes decreased due to a rare genetic disease.

Biography

Impairment information

Type of Impairment
Vision impairment
Origin of Impairment
Congenital
Classification
B1
Guide
Daniel Bauer

Further personal information

Residence
Austria
Occupation
Athlete, Motivational Speaker
Languages
English, German, Italian

Sport specific information

When and where did you begin this sport?
She began cross-country skiing in 2008 at age 10.
Why this sport?
She was a national youth champion in the sport in Austria before her vision began to deteriorate. "I love the winter, skiing, and spending time with my friends outdoors."
Club / Team
USV Fuschl am See: Salzburg, AUT

International debut

Year
2014
Competing for
Austria
Tournament
European Championships
Location
Hochfilzen, AUT

General interest

Hobbies
Adventure sports. (Athlete, 09 Feb 2018)
Memorable sporting achievement
Winning two gold medals at the 2017 World Championships in Finsterau, Germany. (Athlete, 09 Feb 2018)
Most influential person in career
Her family, especially her brother Julian. (Athlete, 09 Feb 2018)
Hero / Idol
Norwegian cross-country skier Petter Northug. (Athlete, 09 Feb 2018)
Awards and honours
She was voted 2019 Female Para Athlete of the Year by members of the Sports Media Austria. (oepc.at, 31 Oct 2019)

She received the Golden Sport Award for Impaired Sport by the Austrian Ski Federation in 2018. (oesv.at, 23 Jun 2018)

She received the Goldenen Lowen [Golden Lion] for Rookie of the Year at the 2017 Leonidas Sports Gala in Salzburg, Austria. (salzburg24.at, 16 Nov 2017)
Other sports
She has also represented Austria in Para biathlon. (SportsDeskOnline, 25 Nov 2020)
Famous relatives
Her older brother Julian has competed in cross-country skiing at national level in Austria, and previously served as her guide. (paralympic.org, 31 Jan 2020; sn.at, 16 Nov 2017)
Ambitions
To compete at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing. (ibelieveinyou.at, 01 Sep 2018)
Impairment
Her vision began deteriorating in 2010 because of Stargardt disease, and has since reduced to 2%. (oepc.at, 08 Mar 2017; salzburg.orf.at, 15 Feb 2017)

Results

Unit Date Rank
2017 IPC Nordic skiing World Championships Finsterau, GER (Finsterau, Germany)
Event Medal Unit Date Rank
Women's Sprint - Free Style VI Final 2017-02-12 1
Women's Long Distance - Classic VI Final 2017-02-16 1
Women's Middle Distance - Free Style VI Final 2017-02-19 3
Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games (Pyeongchang, South Korea)
Event Medal Unit Date Rank
Women's 15km Free Visual Impaired Final 2018-03-12 4
Women's 1.5km Sprint Classic Visual Impaired Final 2018-03-14 4
Women's 7.5km Classic Visual Impaired Final 2018-03-17 3
Prince George 2019 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships (Prince George, Canada)
Event Medal Unit Date Rank
Women's Middle Distance - Free Style VI Final 2019-02-17 2
Women's Sprint - Free Style VI Final 2019-02-18 1
Women's Sprint VI Final 2019-02-20 9999
Women's Long Distance - Classic VI Final 2019-02-24 1