In 1995, at age 14, Lindemann made his first successful appearance in the international figure skating scene by placing fourth at the junior world championships. In 1996 he placed 12th at the German nationals. He placed fourth in the same event in 1997, second in 1999, and first in 2000, becoming the German champion. In 2000, he won the World Junior Championships. This was the first such title for the German Figure Skating Organisation, Deutsche Eislauf-Union.