Ingemar Stenmark is a Swedish former World Cup Alpine ski racer who is regarded as one of the most prominent Swedish athletes ever. He is also recognized as being part of the greatest slalom and giant slalom skiers of all time. Ingemar Stenmark started skiing at the age of 5 and won his first national competition at the age of 8. He made his World Cup debut at the age of 17. He has won more international races than any other Alpine skier to date with 86 World Cup wins. Ingemar Stenmark retired from skiing in March of 1989.