Career Zabel retired in July 2005 and has now become a coach. He is 190 cm tall and raced at 86 kg (189 lbs).
Achievements Competing in three Summer Olympics, he won three medals in the K-4 1000 m event with one gold (1996) and two silvers (2000, 2004). Zabel also won thirteen medals at the International Coach Federation Canoe Sprint World Championships with six golds (K-4 500 m: 1998, 1999. K-4 1000 m: 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001), four silvers (K-4 500 m: 1995, 1997. K-4 1000 m: 1999, 2002), and three bronzes (K-4 200 m: 1995, 1997. K-4 1000 m: 2003).