Benjamin Karl celebrates Olympic gold with a shirtless tribute to Hermann Maier, ends 25-year wait

LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Snowboarder Benjamin Karl might be looking for a new nickname after the Austrian’s impressive victory celebration following his second straight Olympic title.

After winning gold in the men’s parallel giant slalom on Sunday at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, Karl stripped off his shirt, did a huge weightlifter flex, then fell bare-chested into the snow.

The move might have seemed spontaneous, but Karl said it was a long-planned tribute to alpine skiing legend Hermann Maier, who was nicknamed “The Herminator” and often celebrated victories in a similar manner.

“He was one of the greatest skiers of all time in Austria and he once did this,” Karl said. “I always wanted to do the same. I lost the chance in Beijing because I was so overwhelmed from emotions, and today I took the chance.

“I needed to wait 25 years to make this pose like Hermann Maier. Now I did it and this is the crown of my career.”

The 40-year-old Karl is competing at his fifth Olympics. As well as the gold he won four years ago in Beijing, he has a silver medal from 2010 and bronze from 2014.

Karl also has a slew of world championship medals, including five golds.

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Austria's Benjamin Karl celebrates winning the gold medal against South Korea's Kim Sang-kyum in the men's snowboarding parallel giant slalom finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Austria's Benjamin Karl celebrates winning the gold medal in the men's snowboarding parallel giant slalom finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Austria's Benjamin Karl celebrates after winning the gold medal in men's snowboarding parallel giant slalom finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Austria's Benjamin Karl takes off his shirt as he celebrates winning the gold medal after the men's snowboarding parallel giant slalom finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Austria's Benjamin Karl celebrates winning the gold medal in the men's snowboarding parallel giant slalom finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

LONDON (AP) — Prince William and Princess Catherine expressed concern for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein in a statement released Monday, the latest move by the British monarchy to distance itself from revelations about the former Prince Andrew’s relationship with the convicted sex offender.

Britain’s most popular royals say that they were appalled by the contents of more than 3 million pages of documents released earlier this month by the U.S. Department of Justice.

“I can confirm that the Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continued revelations,’’ the palace said in a statement. “Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”

The statement released ahead of William’s three-day trip to Saudi Arabia, which begins Monday, is part of the monarchy’s response to the escalating crisis surrounding the former prince, who was stripped of his royal titles in October after previous revelations about his relationship with Epstein. King Charles III’s 65-year-old brother is now known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

The king last week forced Mountbatten-Windsor to leave his longtime home at Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle, accelerating a move that was first announced in October but wasn’t expected to be completed until later this year.

Mountbatten-Windsor is now living on the king’s Sandringham estate in eastern England. He will live temporarily at Wood Farm Cottage while his permanent home on the estate undergoes repairs.

Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein.

FILE - Britain's Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, looks round as he leaves after attending the Easter Matins Service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, England, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)