"Krone" visit

Luge world champion Lisa loves the adrenaline rush

Lisa Schulte with the family dogs Caja and Alex.(Bild: Christof Birbaumer)

After 64 years, Austria once again has a world champion in luge with Lisa Schulte. The 23-year-old was honored on Friday in her hometown of Mieders, as were the Neustift Gleirscher brothers David (gold sprint) and Nico (silver single). The "Krone" had visited them at home beforehand.

At the reception in her home town with teammates David and Nico Glerischer, Lisa Schulte really got to grips with what she achieved in Altenberg on January 28. After 64 years, the 23-year-old from Mieders is the first Austrian woman to win individual gold again. "During the season, you always focus on the next race," she said: "It's a cool feeling. I didn't even realize it had been that long ago."

Luge reception in Mieders: David and Nico Gleirscher (r.) carry Lisa's shoulder.(Bild: Christof Birbaumer)

Not expecting it
It was also a surprise for Lisa: "I knew that if I could perform perfectly, I could win a medal. But I didn't expect to actually win on Julia Taubitz's home track." So little, in fact, that her family, who often cheer her on at the races, weren't even there. "I least expected to win in Altenberg," shrugged Lisa.

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Austrian since 2015
Lisa was born in Germany and moved to Tyrol with her family in 2009. She has been Austrian since 2015. "My older brother Bastian also luged and his goal was to take part in the 2016 Youth Olympic Games. He needed Austrian citizenship and we all did it in one go - then it was done," explained the police athlete.

When you stand at the start for the first time, your heart beats faster every year.

Lisa Schulte

From the horse to the toboggan
When she came to Mieders, she was still a vaulter. She tried out tobogganing through a friend from primary school. "I didn't even know the sport existed before that. We just took part in summer training," Lisa told us. But when she took to the ice for the first time, she was hooked. "When you're at the start line for the first time, your heart beats faster every year," she said. As her successes increased, so did her enthusiasm: "That makes it even better. But I especially like the speed and the adrenaline."

Profile

Name: Lisa Schulte

Birthday: December 13, 2000

Lives in: Mieders in the Stubai Valley

Hobbies: Motorcycling, skiing and snowboarding, traveling, baking, cooking. Profession: Training as a policewoman.

Successes: Women's single-seater world champion in Altenberg 2024, twice U23 vice world champion 2021/22 and 2022/23, three times on the World Cup podium so far, overall Nations Cup winner 2023, sixth at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, 5th overall in the 2024 World Cup, team junior world champion 2019.

Motorcycling and skydiving
Away from sport, the Stubai Valley native is also into speed. "I love riding my motorcycle, it's really fun," she enthuses about going on rides with her dad and brothers. She also enjoys skydiving.

Traveling is another hobby. But after the long season with all the World Cup trips, she is enjoying the peace and quiet for now. "At the moment, I'm happy that I can be at home for a bit," she said. In the future, the world champion would like to move out of her home. "But it's not that easy to find something suitable," explained Lisa.