Annelise COBERGER

The Coberger family were pioneers of skiing in New Zealand and her German grandfather established one of the first ski equipment businesses in the country. She was the first New Zealander to win a medal at the World Junior Championship when she took a bronze medal in the slalom in 1990 and soon converted her junior form to the senior circuit. Coberger competed in the 1991 World Championships placing thirteenth in the combined event but it was in January 1992 that she made a breakthrough. That month saw a run of results which culminated in an FIS World Cup slalom win at Hinterstoder that lifted her from a relative unknown to being one of the Olympic slalom favourites. Coberger placed eighth on the first run of the slalom at Méribel but was quickest on the second run and became the first representative from a Southern Hemisphere country to win a Winter Olympic medal.

Although she never again won a World Cup event her consistency earned second place in the slalom standings for the 2002-03 season. Her form dipped the next season and she suffered a disappointment at the 1994 Winter Games when she failed to finished the first run.

Coberger suffered another poor winter in 2004-05 and retired at the end of the season to study at Otago University. After finishing her studies she joined the New Zealand Police Force.