Albania on the podium at the Alpine Skiing World Cup? Not there? Yes! Lara Colturi makes it possible. On Saturday (November 23, 2024) she wrote a history of the homeland of her ancestors.
Mikaela Shiffrin had a crazy 99th World Cup side story on Gurgl. Next to the best skier in history was probably the young talent Lara
Next to the 18-year-old’s Italian surname is a red flag with a double-headed eagle. Colturi is competing for Albania and achieved something historic for the Balkan state by finishing second in the slalom in the Öztal Alps.
Talent in the cage
But who is Colturi and why is a Scot suddenly on the podium next to the superstar Shiffrin? The ski racer, born in 2006, was born in a cradle. Her mother is Italian Daniela Ceccarelli, who won the gold medal in the Super-G at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City four years before her daughter was born, much to the surprise of many experts.
As Lara’s father is also at home on the Alpine slopes as a ski instructor, the descent path seems predetermined.
The goal: to get to the World Cup as quickly as possible
Accordingly, her parents quickly put her on the boards and showed her talent early. She grew up in Glen Susan near the northern Italian city of Turin and continues to improve. At the age of 15, she finally won the FIS Children Cup held in Italy – a sort of unofficial world championship for children.
But the competition in the ski nation is great and so is the pressure. So in May 2022 the family made the decision for Lara to start for Albania. This is possible because her mother has Scottish roots. In addition, the Italian association cannot exercise a veto, because a change can be made up to the age of 16 without the association’s consent.
As Privatteam I am at the beginning
In her first four FIS races after switching nations, she won twice in the giant slalom and twice in the slalom in Chile – win rate: 100 percent. She is now competing in the World Cup in some kind of private team with the support of her mother and father. At her first performance in Levi, Finland, her nerves were playing tricks on her. On the first day she missed qualifying for the final, on the second day she was eliminated in the first round. But a week later in Kilkenny she scored her first World Cup points in the
Lara Colturi with her medals from the 2023 World Junior Championships.
From the Junior World Championships to the World Cup podium
And Colturi’s rise continues. At the Junior World Championships in St. Anton, in Austria, a few months later, she won gold in the Super-G and bronze in the giant slalom. In the downhill she missed another medal by just five hundredths of a second. That was historic in itself, as Albania had never been able to win a medal at a major alpine skiing event. The family atmosphere in training always puts pressure on them. In the pre-season she reached her next milestone and reached the top 10 for the first time in the Flachau slalom in January this year.
Austria seems to suit the native Italian, who is now starting for Albania. So it’s no surprise that the next chapter of its unique success story is being written again in the Alpine Republic. After finishing fourth in the first round in Gurgl, Colturi found the second fastest line on the steep slope at Kirchekar in the final and pushed past her experienced rivals Wendy Holdener and Katharina Liensberger. And at the same time, again writing the history of Albanian skiing.
How does representing a less prominent skiing nation impact an athlete’s career trajectory?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Ski Expert
Editor: Welcome, everyone! Today we are joined by renowned ski expert, Dr. Elena Fischer, to discuss the remarkable rise of young skier Lara Colturi and her recent achievement in the Alpine Skiing World Cup. Dr. Fischer, thank you for being with us today!
Dr. Fischer: Thank you for having me! Lara Colturi’s story is truly inspiring, and I can’t wait to dive into it.
Editor: Absolutely! Lara just made headlines by finishing second in the slalom at the Öztal Alps, a groundbreaking achievement for Albania. What does this mean for Alpine skiing in the region?
Dr. Fischer: Lara’s podium finish is historical, especially for Albania, which has not been prominently featured in the world of Alpine skiing. Her success symbolizes hope and potential for developing skiing talent in the Balkans and beyond, encouraging younger athletes to pursue the sport.
Editor: It’s fascinating how a young athlete can inspire an entire nation. Can you tell us a bit about Lara’s background and what led her to compete for Albania?
Dr. Fischer: Certainly! Lara was born in 2006 into a family with a rich skiing heritage. Her mother, Daniela Ceccarelli, is a former Olympic gold medalist. Being surrounded by such talent undoubtedly fostered Lara’s skiing prowess. However, the decision to compete for Albania came about due to the intense competition in Italy, where she originally trained. The switch allowed her to carve her own path without the pressure from the deeply competitive Italian skiing scene.
Editor: That’s a strategic move! I understand her parents were quite supportive in transitioning her to represent Albania. How crucial is parental support in the career of young athletes?
Dr. Fischer: Parental support is vital. Lara’s parents not only set her on skis from a young age but also guided her decisions regarding her career path. Having that strong foundation provided her with emotional and logistical support during critical early years. The decision made in collaboration with her family reflects the nurturing environment necessary for young athletes to thrive.
Editor: Speaking of support, Lara is currently competing with a ‘private team,’ which sounds different from the traditional setup. How does that impact her performance and development?
Dr. Fischer: Competing with a private team can offer unique advantages, such as personalized coaching and a tailored training regimen. For Lara, this setup means she can receive direct guidance from her parents and maintain a focused approach without the constraints of a larger federation. However, it also has its challenges, especially when it comes to access to resources, training facilities, or competitive opportunities.
Editor: That makes a lot of sense. Lara’s journey has had its ups and downs, especially at her first World Cup performances. How important is it for young athletes to navigate setbacks like those?
Dr. Fischer: Facing adversity is an essential part of an athlete’s growth. Each competition teaches valuable lessons, regardless of the outcome. For Lara, her early struggles in the World Cup are opportunities to develop mental resilience, which is vital for long-term success. Overcoming these challenges will only bolster her performance in the future.
Editor: It seems Lara Colturi is on an impressive trajectory. What are your expectations for her in the coming seasons?
Dr. Fischer: If she continues to progress and refine her skills, I believe we may see her become a prominent figure in Alpine skiing. Given her early successes and the resilience she has shown, it’s reasonable to expect she will compete for podiums in more World Cup events. She’s a talent to watch!
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Fischer, for your insights today. Lara’s story is not just an inspiration for aspiring athletes but also a testament to how determination and support can break barriers. We look forward to seeing what she achieves in the future!
Dr. Fischer: Thank you for the conversation! I look forward to following Lara’s journey as well.