Stefan Kraft perpetuated as wax figure at Madame Tussauds

Three-time individual world champion, two-time overall and ski flying world cup winner, winner of the Four Hills Tournament and reigning world record holder in ski flying. Stefan Kraft is one of the most successful and consistent ski jumpers of recent years. On October 4th, he unveiled his wax figure at Madame Tussauds in Vienna. The 28-year-old from Salzburg is the first ski jumper worldwide to receive this honor and therefore stands between sports stars such as David Alaba and Hermann Maier. The creation of the wax figure is based on countless suggestions from austrian and international visitors who had explicitly requested Stefan.

Numerous media representatives and close friends were present at the unveiling in Vienna’s Prater. At Stefan’s request, his personal coach and mentor Patrick Murnig acted as laudator. In his speech, he not only described Stefan as a great athlete and an outstanding ski jumper, he also emphasized his special personality – as a still down-to-earth, honest and unagitated person, but also as an ambitious, cheerful and mischievous “lad”.

The project with Madame Tussauds had already begun in December of 2019 with a three-hour measuring. For this, Stefan also donated his entire ski jumping equipment including jumpsuit, helmet and yellow jersey of the overall World Cup leader. The unique setting gives visitors the opportunity to sit on the beam on the specially built hill right next to the “wax Stefan” and take photos with him.

For Stefan himself, this was also a very special experience, after the unveiling had taken a little longer due to corona: “It’s just an insanely cool feeling and a great honor that I am now perpetuated as a wax figure and that this now stands next to so many other well-known personalities. The figure turned out really great and looks unbelievably realistic – it’s almost a bit weird sitting right next to my “twin” like that.”