What Lukas Pinheiro Braathen (Brazil) and Marcel Hircher (Austria) failed to do, Lara Colturi succeeded: just a week after her 18th birthday, she presented a new country on the World Cup podium - Albania.
With insurance of second place in the slalom in Gurgl, Austria, the super talent impressively showed why he could one day become a big star in skiing.
Recipe for success? "No stress, just fun". At least that's how she says it.
And you think it's so easy. But Colturi, who left the Italian Skiing Federation at 15 because her private team wanted more freedom, can fight for medals. In February 2023, she tore her cruciate ligament while warming up for the World Cup. She bounced back quickly, the knee didn't cause her any problems and this year's summer was great.
And now the first place on the podium. Even the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, congratulated him through social networks. Although not an expert skier, he wrote big words.
"Skier Lara Colturi, who represented Albania in the World Ski Championship, has achieved a historic result. She came second in this important sporting event and raised the Albanian flag on the podium for the first time".
Colturi has significantly more experience on her team. The most important people are the mother Daniela Ceccarelli, Olympic champion of 2002 in Super G. She used to work as a coach in Albania and thus the idea to change the representation in international competitions was born.
Cecarelli is Colturi's trainer and accompanies her every step of the way. Father Alessandro is also a coach, but more strategic. Meanwhile, Andrea Vianello is a master of his ski craft. He once worked with ski legends Italian Alberto Tomba, American Lindsey Von, Slovenian Tina Maze and Danish Viktoria Rebensburg.
Three people working for a girl who can't drive? You're kidding me. You mean it when you say it! Colturi also has a physiotherapist, a fitness trainer, a nutritionist and a manager. And it is supported by the Red Bull program, of which Marco Odermatt is also a member. Nothing is left to chance.
A lot of pressure on the shoulders of the teenager. But Colturi, who was expected to have a career in figure skating as well, has handled it well so far. After her debut on the podium, she seems more relaxed than euphoric, is always friendly and fair, but also does not reveal much of her private life.
"I'm very, very happy," she says.
