[2] Zechmeister made her World Cup debut in the 1972-73 season, scoring her first podium finish at Heavenly Valley, California on 22 March 1973 at the age of 15 years, 3 months, 18 days.
The following season, she won the opening slalom race, held at Val d'Isere on 8 December 1973 — four days after her 16th birthday.
Zechmeister was dominant that season, winning four slalom races en route to the discipline title.
[2] Zechmeister competed in two World Championships (1974 and 1978) and one Winter Olympic Games (1976).
[2] This biographical article relating to alpine skiing in Germany is a stub.