 After his high school period he joined the Skigymnasium school in Stams and was invited to join the Austrian national team, which dominated the World Cups in 1995.In his first season, 1994/1995 he made his World Cup debut in Val d'Isère, but mainly participated in the European Cup and won two downhills in La Thuile and Saalbach-Hinterglemm.In the other races and disciplines he also qualified among the best skiers, which brought him the Overall European Cup win.