Lara Markthaler surprises fans by improving her overall ranking in women’s slalom at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy

For South Africa, the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics were made even more memorable thanks to 19-year-old Lara Markthaler.

The alpine skier ended her debut Games with an impressive performance in the women’s slalom, improving on her earlier giant slalom results and showing that Team SA is steadily making its mark on the icy slopes of Europe.

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A Solid Slalom Performance

Markthaler tackled the slalom course on Wednesday with determination.

Her first run clocked in at 52.72 seconds, placing her 46th.

But it was her second run, completed in 56.95 seconds, that showcased her growth and grit, moving her up to 40th for that run.

When combined, her overall ranking jumped to 39th out of 53 athletes who managed to finish both runs—a notable improvement from her 46th-place finish in the giant slalom.

It was a challenging course, with 42 of the 95 starters failing to complete both runs, highlighting just how demanding alpine skiing at this level can be.

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Birthday Runs and Giant Slalom

Markthaler’s Olympic journey was even more special because she had celebrated her 19th birthday just three days before the giant slalom events.

She competed in both runs, finishing her first in 1:12.17 and her second in 1:19.29, which combined for a 47th-place overall.

Her resilience was clear, especially given the tough course conditions that saw 21 athletes either disqualified or fail to finish.

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Setting the Bar Among Giants

While Markthaler gave Team SA fans plenty to cheer about, the gold medal in the slalom went to American superstar Mikaela Shiffrin, who completed the two runs in a combined time of 1:39.10—nearly 11 seconds faster than Markthaler.

The gap underscores the challenge of competing against seasoned world-class athletes, but also marks a solid benchmark for Markthaler’s future development.

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South Africa’s Winter Games Story

Though South Africa has historically had a smaller presence at the Winter Olympics, athletes like Markthaler are gradually shifting that narrative.

Her performances in Milano Cortina demonstrate not just potential, but a growing confidence to take on international competition.

These Games were a debut for her, but they also laid the foundation for what could be a long and exciting career in alpine skiing.

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What’s Next for Lara Markthaler?

Looking ahead, Markthaler will likely focus on gaining more international race experience, refining her technique, and competing in World Cup events.

With this first Olympics behind her, she has a clearer sense of the intensity required at the highest level.

Fans and aspiring South African winter sports athletes will be watching closely, hoping she can continue to improve and perhaps bring home a historic top-30 finish in future Games.

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Summary

• Lara Markthaler, 19, made her Winter Olympics debut for South Africa.

• Improved from 46th in the giant slalom to 39th in the slalom.

• Competed shortly after her birthday, showing resilience on a tough course.

• 42 of 95 starters did not finish the slalom, highlighting its difficulty.

• Gold went to Mikaela Shiffrin of the USA.

• Markthaler’s performances signal promise for South Africa’s winter sports future.