Paul Verbnjak

Paul Verbnjak
Personal information
Born (2001-12-10) 10 December 2001
Klagenfurt, Austria
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight75 kg (165 lb)
Sport
CountryAustria
SportSki mountaineering

Paul Verbnjak (born 10 December 2001) is an Austrian ski mountaineer. He will represent Austria at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Career

Verbnjak competed at the 2021 World Championships of Ski Mountaineering and won a gold medal in the under-20 vertical race.[1] He then competed at the 2023 World Championship of Ski Mountaineering and won bronze medals in the under-23 vertical race and individual races.[2]

During the 2024–25 ISMF Ski Mountaineering World Cup, he finished second in the individual standings.[3] In addition to ski mountaineering, he was a professional cyclist for Lidl–Trek Future Racing in 2025.[4][5]

During the 2025–26 ISMF Ski Mountaineering World Cup, he finished in second in the vertical race on 25 January 2026.[6] In January 2026, he was selected to represent Austria at the 2026 Winter Olympics.[7] He will compete in the sprint and mixed relay, along with Johanna Hiemer.[8]

Personal life

Verbnjak's father, Heinz, is a former ski mountaineer.[9]

References

  1. ^ "ISMF Ski Mountaineering World Championships vertical race La Massana: Rémi Bonnet (SUI) and Axelle Gachet-Mollaret (FRA) win gold". trailrunningspain.com. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  2. ^ "ISMF Ski Mountaineering World Championships Boí Taüll 2023: Vertical race victories for Bonnet & Gachet-Mollaret". trailrunningspain.com. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  3. ^ Baumgartner, Günter (29 October 2025). "How to master ski mountaineering: Paul Verbnjak's guide to training and kit". redbull.com. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  4. ^ "Verbnjak is suddenly in the world of professional cycling". krone.at. 21 July 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  5. ^ "Ein Power-Duo als Doppelagent". olympia.at (in German). 7 February 2026. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  6. ^ "Bonnet and Gachet-Morallet Stamp Olympic Intent with Vertical Race Wins in Andorra". sportzhub.com. 26 January 2026. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  7. ^ "This is Austria's Squad for the 2026 Winter Olympics". vol.at. 26 January 2026. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  8. ^ "Aufstieg nach Umstieg: Premiere im Skibergsteigen mit Johanna Hiemer und Paul Verbnjak". Der Standard. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  9. ^ "Ein Vater-Sohn-Duo wie einst die Hirschers". krone.at (in German). 14 January 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2026.


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