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over 12.000 Skifans celebrated with Lara Markthaler
Lara Markthaler will never forget her 18th birthday – not just because of the milestone, but because she celebrated it in front of a massive crowd. As she crossed the finish line in the second slalom run at the World Ski Championships, more than 12,000 fans awaited her in the finish area, singing "Happy Birthday, dear Lara." She soaked in the goosebump-worthy moment, surrounded by cheers, standing ovations, and hearts flying her way.
Lara Markthaler’s easygoing attitude becomes clear when she talks about the moments before her race. "My mom called me and told me that the stadium announcer had asked the crowd to sing for me once I reached the finish line." With several competitors crashing out before her, she had one clear goal in her first-ever World Championships appearance: just finish the race. "I couldn’t have cared less about my time!" And her plan worked—one that had been over ten years in the making.
Her journey hasn’t exactly followed a straight path. At just 18 years old, Lara has a story full of twists, determined effort, and a future that is still wide open. One thing, however, is already certain: her life will never be boring. Born in Munich but with South African roots, she has had an eventful childhood. Growing up in Germany, Canada, and Italy, she discovered her passion for sports early on—first in downhill biking, then on skis. Since the age of 12, she has been studying online, as a traditional school system simply wouldn’t fit her lifestyle.
Her mother is South African, her father Christian is from Munich. She spent her first eight years in Bavaria before embarking on an exciting journey. The Markthaler family then moved to Canada, where bilingual Lara—who still speaks English with her mother and German with her father—discovered her love for sports. Alongside skiing (her father competed in FIS races as a junior), she also fell in love with mountain biking. For years, she raced not only in slalom and giant slalom but also in downhill biking during the summer. And not without success—her room is decorated with multiple trophies, each one having traveled through multiple moves.
Her journey continued through Italy, first in Val di Fassa, before an unexpected move to Bruneck at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. "We had no choice," she recalls. Eventually, she settled in Leogang, before moving once again after one and a half years to Innsbruck, where she now lives.
That was a bit crazy. I think I need a few days to process it.
OLYMPIC DREAM, BUT FINANCIAL HURDLES
With 180 ski days a year, there’s not much time for vacations—especially since she’s also working on her school diploma "on the side." Where will her path lead after graduation? "Something with sports!" she answers without hesitation. "Maybe a doctor or knee surgeon," she considers, "or even something in journalism." That’s classic Lara Markthaler—versatile and spontaneous.
For now, though, her focus remains on skiing. Her big goal: the 2026 Olympic Games. But as the only South African athlete, she receives no federation funding—her father covers the costs. "My dad can’t finance this forever," she admits openly. Sponsors are scarce, and while her Instagram account with over 108,000 followers boosts her visibility, it doesn’t automatically bring in money.
As athletes, we are also entertainers.
Being recognized on the street—while some athletes prefer to stay out of the spotlight, Lara is the complete opposite. "For me, it's part of the game. I enjoy it, and it puts me in a good mood!"
It’s clear that she’s a little different from other professional athletes. She and her father also have their own quirky ways: sometimes, they travel to races in a camper van, even if only one night’s stay is planned. They park right by the lift and sleep in the car. "People do give us funny looks when we step out in full gear early in the morning, ready to be the first ones on the lift," she laughs.
Markthaler stands out from other athletes—with her unconventional lifestyle, self-designed race suits, and positive energy. “I love being a free spirit,” she says with a grin.
But now, she shares at least one thing with many others: “Our online shop just launched two days ago,” she says excitedly about this new marketing opportunity. “We have T-shirts and hoodies with my logo on them.”
Despite financial uncertainty, she remains optimistic: “I want to go as far as possible. My expectations have already been exceeded,” she says, reflecting on Saalbach and the World Championships. And one thing is certain—if you know Lara, you know that surprises are always guaranteed.
