In recent years, Albanians have often celebrated talented individuals of Albanian descent achieving greatness abroad, even when they represent other nations. Today, Italians find themselves in a similar situation in the world of alpine skiing, as one of Europe’s brightest talents, Lara Colturi, competes under the Albanian flag.
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| Lara Colturi, foto: Top Channel |
“When I first came to Tirana, it was a city under construction,” Lara said. “Now, after nearly three years, the transformation is incredible, especially with the festive lights. This season, I compete against women who are twice my age—some are 32, 34, even 40 years old. These athletes have years of experience and know the slopes inside out, but I’m determined to make my mark.”
A Podium Finish in the World Cup
From being just a participant in previous seasons, Lara now boasts two World Cup podium finishes.
“My goal for this World Cup season was to reach the podium at least once,” she explained. “I achieved that in my second slalom race, which has allowed me to feel much calmer. On every slope, I strive to do my best, focusing on translating my training performance into race results as smoothly as possible.”
The Olympic Challenge
Next January, Lara will compete in the Winter Olympics in Italy, representing Albania against her former compatriots. This decision, unsurprisingly, has stirred mixed emotions among Italian media and fans.
“The most important thing for me at the Olympics will be to stay calm,” Lara said. “When I decided to compete for Albania three years ago, there was a lot of talk. Today, with many top skiers representing countries other than their own, I avoid paying attention to criticism and focus solely on what I need to do.”
Balancing Legacy and Independence
As the daughter of a celebrated Italian champion, Lara acknowledges the weight of her family’s legacy but also emphasizes how the narrative has evolved.
“In the beginning, my career was tied to my mother’s name—Daniela Ceccarelli’s daughter. Now, the roles have reversed; she’s known as Lara Colturi’s mother. My mom is very proud of me and our decision to represent Albania. This choice allows us to stay together as a family, work, train, and enjoy this beautiful sport together. Traveling the world as a family, sharing these experiences, is truly special.”
Life Beyond Skiing
Despite her demanding career, Lara finds time for other pursuits.
“I read a lot, listen to music, and focus on my final year of high school, preparing for exams. Now that I’ve turned 18, I’m also thinking about things like getting a driver’s license—those milestones that make us feel more grown up.
“When I’m not skiing, I enjoy ice skating and spending time with my family. We travel everywhere together, often bringing along our dog and cat. It’s like traveling with a mini zoo,” she said with a laugh.
A Bright Future Ahead
Lara Colturi’s journey is an inspiring story of determination, family, and embracing new opportunities. As she continues to make her mark in alpine skiing, both Albania and Italy watch with pride and anticipation, knowing she is destined for greatness.