Lara Markthaler
| Lara Markthaler | |
|---|---|
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| Country | South African |
| Born | February 15, 2007 Munich, Germany |
| Ski club | Saaski |
Lara Markthaler (born 15 February 2007) is a South African alpine ski racer of German heritage, also known by her nickname Spunkiiiiii. She competes in slalom and giant slalom.
Early life
Markthaler was born in Munich, Germany, to a German father, Christian, and a South African mother, Judith. She grew up in Germany until age eight, when her family moved to Whistler, Canada. There she took up mountain biking and won six gold medals at Red Bull's Crankworx competitions. At age 12, she chose alpine skiing over mountain biking, as skiing is an Olympic sport. The family moved to the Italian Dolomites to support her skiing career.[1]
Career
Markthaler made her international racing debut on 27 July 2023 at a FIS Giant Slalom in El Colorado, Chile, winning her second race the following day. She was the third African female ski racer to win a FIS race, after Mialitiana Clerc and Sabrina Simader.
At the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in Gangwon, South Korea, she represented South Africa as the sole South African competitor, finishing 33rd in Super-G.[2]
In 2025, Markthaler qualified for the 2025 Alpine Ski World Championships in Saalbach, where she finished 29th in slalom – the best result ever by a South African female ski racer at a World Championship.[3]
On 13 January 2026, she made her Alpine Ski World Cup debut in Flachau. She then became the first South African female ski racer to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, finishing 47th in giant slalom and 39th in slalom.[4][5][6]
Recognition
Markthaler received the Forbes Woman Africa Excellence in Sports Award in 2026.[7]
References
- ↑ "Teen sensation Lara Markthaler takes South Africa to the Olympic slopes". Daily Maverick. 2026-02-03.
- ↑ "South African trailblazer Lara Markthaler out to provide inspiration for other African winter sports athletes". Olympics.com. 2024-01-27.
- ↑ "Lara Markthaler: South Africa's Pink Tornado". Ski Racing Media. 2025-10-27.
- ↑ "Lara Markthaler: Pioneer of the pink ponytail club and female Alpine skiing in South Africa". Olympics.com. 2026-01-28.
- ↑ "Team SA's Lara Markthaler signs off Winter Games debut in style". Times Live. 2026-02-19.
- ↑ "Südafrikas Lara Markthaler und ihr Familienprojekt". Der Spiegel. 2026-02-15.
- ↑ "Rachel Kolisi and Africa's top trailblazers ignite the Forbes Woman Africa Summit 2026". IOL. 2026-03-19.
External links
Category:2007 births Category:Living people Category:South African alpine skiers Category:Alpine skiers at the 2026 Winter Olympics Category:Olympic alpine skiers for South Africa Category:Alpine skiers at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics Category:Sportspeople from Munich
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