Nina Ortlieb: Austrian Speed Specialist Navigates High-Stakes 2025/26 Season
MILAN, 08 February 2026 — As the alpine skiing world focuses its attention on the slopes of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Austrian speed specialist Nina Ortlieb remains a central figure in the conversation. Known for her aggressive lines in the downhill and super-G, Ortlieb’s journey through the current season has been a testament to the “quiet resilience” that defines her career. Following a series of challenging races in January and a high-profile crash in Switzerland just last week, the Vorarlberg native continues to push the limits of the sport.
Current Form and Recent Results
The 2025/26 World Cup season has seen Ortlieb maintaining her status as a top-tier contender in speed events, though she has faced stiff competition and unpredictable conditions. Most recently, Ortlieb recorded a 17th-place finish in the Super-G at Tarvisio, Italy, on 17 January 2026. This followed a strong performance in the downhill earlier in the month, where she secured a 4th-place finish, narrowly missing the podium.
Her statistics for the current 2025/2026 season highlight her consistency in the top flight:
- Downhill: 1 x 4th place
- Super-G: 1 x 13th place
- Tarvisio Super-G (Jan 17): 17th place
The Crans-Montana Incident
The lead-up to the February Olympic events was marred by a difficult weekend in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. During the downhill race held exactly one week ago, Ortlieb was one of three high-profile skiers to suffer a crash on the challenging Swiss resort slope. The incident occurred during a segment of the race that also saw American veteran Lindsey Vonn and Norway’s Marte Monsen lose control.
While the crash raised immediate concerns regarding her Olympic readiness, Ortlieb has been working closely with her coaching staff to recover. Unlike Vonn, who is competing through a ruptured ACL sustained in the same period, Ortlieb’s focus has been on refining her craft and regaining the momentum she established earlier in the winter.
Career Highlights and Background
Born on 2 April 1996 in Innsbruck, Nina Ortlieb is the daughter of Olympic champion Patrick Ortlieb. She has successfully carved out her own legacy in the skiing world, specializing in the “speed” disciplines of downhill and super-G. Representing the ski club in Lech, Vorarlberg, she has been a consistent podium threat since her breakthrough on the World Cup circuit.
Major Career Milestones
| Year | Event / Location | Result | Discipline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | La Thuile | 1st Place | Super-G |
| 2022 | Lake Louise | 2nd Place | Downhill |
| 2023 | World Cup | 1st Place | Downhill |
| 2026 | World Cup | 4th Place | Downhill |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nina Ortlieb’s best result in the 2025/26 season?
As of February 2026, her best result this season is a 4th-place finish in a World Cup downhill event.
Was Nina Ortlieb injured in the Crans-Montana crash?
Ortlieb was involved in a crash in Crans-Montana last week along with Lindsey Vonn and Marte Monsen. While the crash disrupted her training schedule, she has remained active in the lead-up to the Olympic events in Italy.
Who is Nina Ortlieb’s father?
She is the daughter of Patrick Ortlieb, the famous Austrian alpine skier who won Olympic gold in the downhill at the 1992 Albertville Games.
What are Nina Ortlieb’s strongest disciplines?
Ortlieb specializes almost exclusively in speed events, specifically the Downhill and the Super-G.