Max Stiepl

Max Stiepl emerged as a top distance skater in 1934, winning the longest distances at the European Championships, setting a new world record in the 5,000 m and placing second in the overall standings. He would repeat this double distance win at the 1935 Europeans and 1937 Worlds, winning a bronze medal with the latter performance. In 1936, he won Austria's first Olympic speed skating medal by finishing third in the 10,000 m, having been second in the same event at the World Championships just two weeks earlier. In his own country, Stiepl dominated, winning the national title 10 times (1934-1938, 1943, 1947-1950). After the 1938 *Anschluss*, Stiepl also competed in several German championships, but never won the title, finishing second on three occasions. Stiepl continued to race after World War II, but could not reach his former level, and retired in 1951 at age 37.

Personal Bests: 500 – 44.9 (1938); 1500 – 2:18.8 (1938); 5000 – 8:18.9 (1934); 10000 – 17:25.3 (1937).