ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Lara Markthaler
also known as @spunkiiiiii and pink tornado
I'm a South African alpine ski racer, born in Munich in 2007.
I've lived in South Africa, Germany, Canada, Italy, and Austria.
Height: 175 cm
Weight: 65 kg
I race in slalom and giant slalom for South Africa – the first South
African woman ever to compete in alpine skiing at the Winter Olympic Games.
In 2025, I made my senior World Championships debut at Saalbach, finishing
29th in slalom on my 18th birthday – the best result by a South African
woman at an alpine ski World Championship.
In January 2026, I had my first World Cup start at the night slalom in
Flachau. Then it was off to Milano Cortina for the 2026 Winter Olympics –
47th in giant slalom on my 19th birthday and 39th in slalom.
In March 2026, I was honored to receive the Forbes Woman Africa Excellence
in Sports Award in Johannesburg.
Off the slopes? I love cooking, reading, sleeping, and occasionally partying.
Other sports I enjoy: deep powder skiing, cross-country, telemark, mountain
biking, kitesurfing, and climbing.
I share my journey on @spunkiiiiii – behind-the-scenes training, race-day
nerves, the wins and the lessons.
Let's keep chasing adventure together!
— Lara 🇿🇦
Forbes Leading Woman Event
South Africa