David Gleirscher (born 23 July 1994)[1] is an Austrian luger. He competed for Austria in the 2015–16 Luge World Cup in the men's singles and finished tenth in the points standings.[2] In men's luge at the 2018 Winter Olympics he became a surprise champion after the favorite, Felix Loch, made a mistake in the last run and dropped out of the medals. Before the Olympic win, Gleirscher did not have a single World Cup podium appearance.[3]

David Gleirscher
David Gleirscher in 2024
Personal information
Born (1994-07-23) 23 July 1994 (age 30)
Hall in Tirol, Austria
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight90 kg (198 lb)
Sport
CountryAustria
SportLuge
EventSingles
Medal record
Men's luge
Representing  Austria
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2018 Pyeongchang Singles
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Pyeongchang Mixed team
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2021 Königssee Mixed team
Gold medal – first place 2024 Alternberg Sprint
Silver medal – second place 2020 Sochi Sprint
Bronze medal – third place 2021 Königssee Singles
Bronze medal – third place 2021 Königssee Sprint
Bronze medal – third place 2023 Oberhof Singles
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 2020 Lillehammer Mixed team

Family

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David Gleirscher's father, Gerhard, was a luger who won three world championship medals, including both gold in the team event and a bronze in the men's single event in 1997. His father also competed in three Winter Olympics, finish seventh in each Olympics (Singles: 1994, 1998; Doubles: 1992).[4]

His younger brother Nico Gleirscher is also a luger competing for Austria.[5] Nico placed third in the sprint event at Winterberg during the 2017-18 Luge World Cup.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Gleirscher David". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  2. ^ http://www.newstimes.com/sports/article/Luge-World-Cup-Results-6710027.php [permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Winter Olympics: David Gleirscher claims Austria's first luge gold in 50 years after Felix Loch error". BBC. 11 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  4. ^ m.b.H., STANDARD Verlagsgesellschaft. "Rodler David Gleirscher rast sensationell zu Gold". Der Standard. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  5. ^ "Nico Gleirscher".
  6. ^ "Germany's Geisenberger picks up 40th singles win at luge World Cup".
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