Josef “Sepp” Lenz, born on February 8, 1935, in Königssee, Germany, embodied the true spirit of resilience in the face of adversity. His story is one of remarkable courage, unwavering dedication, and an unyielding passion for the sport of luge that transcended personal tragedy.
Lenz’s promising career as a luger was marked by early success. In 1962, he clinched the German national championship title in the singles event at his home track in Königssee. The same year, he reached the pinnacle of his competitive career by winning gold in the men’s singles at the FIL European Luge Championships in Weissenbach, Austria. However, fate had a cruel twist in store for Lenz. During a training run for the doubles event at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Lenz and his partner, Sepperl Fleischmann, suffered a catastrophic crash. The accident resulted in Lenz sustaining a severe compound fracture in his left upper arm. Tragically, Fleischmann succumbed to his injuries days later. This heartbreaking incident forced Lenz to retire from competitive luge, ending his athletic career prematurely.
Sepp Lenz: A Coaching Legend is Born
Rather than allowing this devastating setback to define him, Lenz channeled his passion and expertise into coaching. In 1966, he embarked on what would become one of the most successful coaching careers in sports history, taking the helm of the German national luge team. Under Lenz’s guidance, German lugers dominated the sport for nearly three decades. His athletes amassed an astonishing 96 medals at Olympic Games, World Championships, and European Championships. Lenz’s keen eye for talent and his ability to nurture it led him to discover and mentor Georg Hackl, who would go on to become a three-time Olympic champion.
However, Lenz’s path was not without further challenges. In December 1993, while preparing a track in Winterberg, Germany, Lenz was struck by an American luger. The accident resulted in the amputation of his left leg below the knee. For many, such a traumatic event might have signaled the end of a coaching career, but not for Sepp Lenz.
An Unbreakable Spirit: Coaching from a Wheelchair
In a display of extraordinary determination, Lenz refused to let his injury derail his commitment to his athletes and the sport he loved. Barely two months after losing part of his leg, Lenz was back on the ice, coaching the German team at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer from a wheelchair. This act of courage and dedication not only inspired his athletes but also showcased Lenz’s indomitable spirit to the world. It demonstrated that his passion for luge and his commitment to excellence transcended physical limitations.
Sepp Lenz’s legacy extends far beyond the medals his athletes won. He revolutionized the sport, contributing to track designs, including the Utah Olympic Park Track and consulting on the Alpensia Sliding Centre. His impact on luge is immeasurable, having shaped not just champions, but also the very courses on which they competed.
When Sepp Lenz passed away on May 3, 2023, at the age of 88, he left behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of athletes and coaches. His life story serves as a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and achieve greatness against all odds.
Photo By Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0,
