At just nineteen years old, Lara Markthaler is already a force of nature. From carving up the slopes at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina to being honoured at the Forbes Woman Africa Summit, the Alpine skier is writing a completely unique chapter in South African sports history.
Earlier this month Markthaler was awarded the 2026 Forbes Woman Africa Excellence in Sports Award. The accolade is a testament to a trailblazer who has driven significant milestones for women in African sports. As one of only five athletes to represent South Africa at the recent Cortina Games—where she secured a 39th place finish in the Women’s Slalom and a top-50 finish in the Giant Slalom—she has firmly established herself on the world stage. This follows a standout top-30 finish at the 2025 Alpine World Championships and her status as the sole South African representative at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in Gangwon.
But to truly understand Markthaler’s trajectory, you have to look beyond the snow.
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Born in Munich and raised across Germany, South Africa, Canada, Italy, and Austria, Markthaler’s athletic roots actually lie in the dirt. Moving to Whistler, Canada, in 2015 introduced her to the world of downhill mountain biking. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a display of pure dominance. By her early teens, she had amassed six Crankworx Gold Medals in the Kidsworx category, including a victory at the legendary Red Bull Fox Air race on Whistler’s A-Line.
At twelve years old, she made the bold transition to alpine skiing. The same fearless, “all-in” attitude that made her unstoppable on a bike translated perfectly to the slopes. Today, she brings a captivating underdog narrative to international ski racing, proudly flying the South African flag in a sport traditionally dominated by European and North American powerhouses.
The Entrepreneurial Edge: spunkiiiiii
Markthaler is part of a new generation of athletes who understand that their impact extends far beyond the finish line. Off the mountain, she is the founder of the lifestyle brand spunkiiiiii. Born from a childhood nickname, the brand encapsulates her personal philosophy: “Dream big, have fun, and just SEND IT.”
Known for her distinctive pink hair and arriving at races in her camper van, Markthaler has cultivated a fiercely loyal community on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Her digital presence isn’t just an afterthought; it’s a carefully honed strategy. In the summer of 2025, she collaborated with Professor Claudia Brauer and a group of students at the University of Innsbruck to explore how modern athletes can build their digital voices. The project helped her refine her storytelling, allowing her to share the grind, the challenges, and the authentic reality of professional sports with her audience.
A 1968 Ferves and the Spirit of Team SA
Perhaps nothing encapsulates Markthaler’s vibrant approach to her career quite like the “Ferves” project. Unearthing a rare 1968 Ferves—a small Italian off-roader based on the Fiat 600, with only about 1,000 ever produced—Markthaler and her team have been restoring the classic car to serve as the unofficial “Team South Africa” vehicle.
Rescued from a glasshouse, the little orange legend is being transformed with a safari-inspired design featuring tiger and leopard patterns interwoven with the South African flag. It is a perfect metaphor for Markthaler herself: an unexpected, bold, and brilliantly colorful addition to the historic alpine setting of the Dolomites.
The Road Ahead
With four FIS career wins, 17 FIS career podiums, and the prestigious Forbes Woman Africa Excellence in Sports Award now under her belt, Markthaler’s foundation is rock solid. She seamlessly merges the realms of elite athletic performance and modern sports media, proving that today’s athletes can be champions, creators, and entrepreneurs all at once.
Whether she is chasing hundredths of a second through the gates, designing the latest drop for her apparel brand, or kite surfing in her off-season, Lara Markthaler is living her mantra. She isn’t just participating in the global sports arena; she’s sending it.
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