Karl Schäfer

Karl Schäfer was an Austrian figure skater and swimmer, born on 17 May 1909 and died on 23 April 1976. He grew up in Vienna-Hernals near the artificial ice rink of Eduard Engelmann Jr., where the coach Rudolf Kutzer noticed his talent when he was eleven. After placing fourth at the 1928 Winter Olympics, he won his first European title in 1929 and from 1930 won every major competition until he retired after the 1936 season. He became a two-time Olympic champion in men's singles at the 1932 Winter Olympics and the 1936 Winter Olympics, a seven-time World champion and an eight-time European champion, records for consecutive titles in both events. He also swam for Austria, competing in the 200 metre breaststroke at the 1928 Summer Olympics. After retiring he worked as a coach and ice show performer in Vienna and the United States.