Claudia Nystad

Claudia Nystad (née Künzel; born 1 February 1978) is a German top-level woman cross-country skier. She was born in Zschopau, East Germany, and represents the sports club WSC Erzgebirge Oberwiesenthal. Besides her civilian sports career, she serves as a sports soldier with the German Federal Armed Forces.

Cross-country skiing results All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).

Olympic Games 6 medals – (2 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze)

Year Age 10 km 15 km Pursuit 30 km Sprint 4 × 5 km relay Team sprint 2002 24 — 26 55 — 4 Gold 2006 28 17 18 6 Silver Silver — 2010 32 16 — — — Silver Gold 2014 36 — 42 — 34 Bronze —

World Championships 5 medals – (1 gold, 4 silver) Year Age 10 km 15 km Pursuit 30 km Sprint 4 × 5 km relay Team sprint 2001 23 — 17 27 14 4 2003 25 — — 11 19 Silver Gold 2005 27 — 10 6 14 4 4 2007 29 15 17 — 26 Silver Silver 2009 31 — 22 18 Silver — 2015 37 42 — — — — —

a. Cancelled due to extremely cold weather.

World Cup Season standings Season Age Discipline standingsSki Tour standingsOverallDistanceLong DistanceMiddle DistanceSprintNordicOpeningTour deSkiWorld CupFinal 1998 20 — 1999 21 — 2000 22 71 — 51 2001 23 23 9 2002 24 41 23 2003 25 7 7 2004 26 7 6 10 2005 27 5 7 5 2006 28 7 9 8 2007 29 13 15 14 19 2008 30 8 5 13 6 2009 31 13 14 21 16 7 2010 32 43 31 31 — 2014 36 38 27 67 36 19 2015 37 50 34 65 17

Individual podiums 4 victories – (2 , 2 ) 26 podiums – (21 , 5 )

Team podiums 7 victories – (4 , 3 ) 26 podiums – (17 , 9 )

Personal life On June 27, 2005, Künzel married Trond Nystad from Norway, ex-coach of the American cross-country ski team.

In the summer of 2007, Künzel donated her gold medal from the 2002 Winter Olympics to benefit the 'Hansel und Gretel' foundation (Hansel and Gretel in German) committed to helping abused children.

Honours and awards Saxon Sportswoman of the Year (2007 and 2010) Silver Bay Leaf (2002, 2006 and 2010) Badge of Honour of the German Ski Association in Gold (2010) Bundeswehr Cross of Honour in Gold (2004) Badge of Honour of the Bundeswehr (2002)