Georg Hackl
German luger who won medals at five consecutive Winter Olympics.
Sandro Halank , Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Georg Hackl (born 9 September 1966), also called Hackl Schorsch, is a German former luger who won three Olympic gold medals and five world titles. His nicknames include Hackl-Schorsch and the "Speeding Weißwurst," a playful nod to his white bodysuit as he zipped down the track.
Hackl grew up in Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, and started luge in school physical education classes, learning on the Königssee track. He had a famous rivalry with Markus Prock: Prock dominated World Cup events, but Hackl consistently shone at the Olympics. Though not as naturally gifted an athlete as Prock, Hackl was exceptionally skilled at adjusting his sled to match daily ice conditions. His coach, former luger Thomas Schwab, credited Hackl’s mental toughness as a key factor in his success.
At the 1988 Calgary Olympics, Hackl took silver in singles. He won gold in 1992, 1994, and 1998. In 1998, he became the first man in Olympic singles luge to clock the fastest time in all four runs (Vera Zozula had done it in women’s singles in 1980). That year he was named German Sportsman of the Year. He earned silver again in 2002, making him the first Winter Olympian to medal in five consecutive Games in men's singles luge. He finished seventh in 2006.
After the 2006 Olympics, Hackl retired from competition and moved into coaching. He now oversees a group of German lugers called the "Sunshine Training Group," alongside Patric Leitner, with Hackl responsible for their sleds. Members include Felix Loch, Natalie Geisenberger, Tobias Wendl, and Tobias Arlt, who together swept all luge gold medals at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Hackl won 22 medals at the FIL World Luge Championships: ten golds (men’s singles: 1989, 1990, 1997; mixed team: 1991, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005), ten silvers (men’s singles: 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2004, 2005; men’s doubles: 1987; mixed team: 1996, 1997), and two bronzes (men’s singles: 2000; mixed team: 1999). At the FIL European Luge Championships, he collected twelve medals: seven golds (men’s singles: 1988, 1990; mixed team: 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2002), four silvers (men’s singles: 1994, 2000; mixed team: 1990, 1994), and one bronze (men’s singles: 1992). He won the overall Luge World Cup men’s singles title twice (1988–89, 1989–90) and finished second in men’s doubles twice (1986–87, 1987–88). Hackl is also a nine-time wok racing world champion.
Quick Facts
- Nickname
- Hackl Schorsch
- Nationality
- German
- Birth Date
- 9 September 1966
- Birth Place
- Berchtesgaden, Bavaria
- Height
- 1.72 m
- Weight
- 79 kg
- Sport
- Luge
- Event
- Men's singles, Men's doubles
- Club
- RC Berchtesgaden
- Coach
- GER Josef Lenz
- Retired
- 2006
- Show Medals
- no
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Hackl was born in Berchtesgaden, Bavaria. He took up luge as part of his physical education lessons whilst at school, learning to slide at the Königssee track. Hackl was known for his rivalry with Markus Prock, with Prock being dominant in World Cup competition whilst Hackl consistently achieved success at the Winter Olympics. Although Hackl was not as natural an athlete as Prock, he was noted as being extremely skilled at setting up his sled to suit particular ice conditions on a given day. In addition his coach and former luger Thomas Schwab highlighted Hackl's mental strength as being key to his success.
He won his first Winter Olympic Games luge medal in 1988 in Calgary, when he finished second in the singles event. Four years later, he improved his performance to win the gold, a feat he repeated in 1994 and 1998. He earned silver again in 2002, making him the first Winter Olympian to medal in five consecutive Games in men's singles luge. He was inducted into the International Luge Federation's Hall of Fame in 2014.
Reader's Guide
Georg Hackl's significance lies in his unprecedented Olympic consistency and his technical mastery of luge. He became the first Winter Olympian to win a medal in five consecutive Winter Games, a record that underscores his longevity and adaptability. His rivalry with Markus Prock highlighted contrasting strengths: Prock's natural athleticism versus Hackl's meticulous sled setup and mental fortitude, as noted by his coach Thomas Schwab. Hackl's 1998 Olympic gold, where he recorded the fastest time in all four runs, marked a historic first for men's singles luge. Beyond his own achievements, his coaching legacy is profound: the 'Sunshine Training Group' he co-led produced a clean sweep of luge gold medals at the 2014 Winter Olympics, demonstrating his ability to transfer his technical expertise to a new generation. His 22 FIL World Luge Championships medals and nine wok racing world titles further cement his status as a dominant figure in the sport.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Georg Hackl?
Georg Hackl, born on 9 September 1966 in Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, is a retired German luger who competed in men's singles luge. He is best known for claiming three Olympic gold medals and five world championship titles over his career.
What is Georg Hackl's biggest Olympic record?
Hackl became the first man in luge history to earn a medal at five consecutive Winter Olympics. His three gold medals came at the 1992, 1994, and 2002 Games, cementing his status as one of the most decorated lugers ever.
What is the Hackl–Prock rivalry about?
The rivalry pitted Hackl against fellow German Markus Prock, who tended to dominate World Cup standings while Hackl reserved his best performances for the Olympic Games. Fans often frame it as a clash between two very different approaches to the same icy track.
Why is he called the "Speeding Weißwurst"?
The nickname is a playful Bavarian jab at his white competition bodysuit, which made him look like a sausage rocketing down the ice. His other common moniker, "Hackl Schorsch," is simply a friendly Bavarian diminutive of his surname.
How did Georg Hackl get into luge?
He first tried the sport during physical education classes in school, using the nearby Königssee track in his hometown of Berchtesgaden for early practice. That same local track would later host Olympic luge events during his competitive career.
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