Benjamin
Karl
Austria
·
Alpine Snowboarding
Date of birth | October 16, 1985 |
|---|---|
Birthplace | St. Pölten, Austria |
Age | 40 |
Nationality | Austria |
Career start | 2004 |
Disciplines | Snowboard Alpine |
Since he was a kid, Benjamin ‘Benni’ Karl has shown real aptitude on the board. By the time he was 10 years old he had already decided that he was going to have a professional snowboarding career.
Benni's skillset focused predominantly on alpine slalom developed quickly, but his pro snowboarding dreams were almost shattered in 1995 when he broke three thoracic vertebrae in an accident. After a short but intensive rehabilitation period, Benni blazed a trail back onto the competition scene to win the regional championships later that same year.
Unable to fault his determination and verve for the sport, Benni’s parents had little choice but to send him to the Skihandelsschule snowboarding haven in Austria, where athletes go to receive academic teaching and physical training. There he perfected the parallel slalom (PSL) and the parallel giant slalom (PGS).
The 2008-09 season was undoubtedly one of the highlights of Benni’s career so far. In 2008, he claimed another Austrian National Championship title and added the overall World Cup to his trophy armoury. In 2009, another injury made it look like he would have to forfeit the World Championships in Gongwon, Korea, but once again, he made a speedy recovery and came back to claim the first-ever PSL world title. The 2009-10 season finished with Benni taking silver at the Games and another World Cup title.
Since then, the Austrian pro has continued to dominate the podiums of, well, pretty much any competition he enters. In 2014 he claimed yet another medal after winning bronze in Sochi and racked up World Cup victories in parallel slalom and giant slalom.
As the years and competitions tick by, Benni continues to stack up the podium finishes, including a run of first place wins from 2018-2022, culminating in first place in Parallel Slalom at the Games in Beijing, China.
Benni's success continued with two podium finishes in 2023. The following year he tripled that number, proving he has a lot yet to offer the sport. In 2025, he started the year strong with two second place wins in the World Cup.
In his spare time, he can be seen on his bike just for fun or at events such as Red Bull Dolomitenmann. But after securing another world title, it's clear Benni has no intention of hanging up his board any time soon.
A moment of concentration before the next run
© Arvid Auner/Red Bull Content Pool
Smooth and fast – Karl is in full control on the slope
© Arvid Auner/Red Bull Content Pool
When he's not on his board, Benjamin Karl can be found on his bike
© Mirja Geh/Red Bull Content Pool
Benjamin Karl is all smiles at Wings for Life World Run in Vienna
© Philipp Carl Riedl for Wings for Life World Run