OLYMPICS: Alpine skiing-Albania's teen Colturi may return to super‑G soon

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO – Albanian skier Lara Colturi said Wednesday she is confident she can ski even better after finishing 10th in the women's slalom at the Winter Games, and she could soon also compete in the super-G.

Colturi, 19, is the daughter of Italian 2002 Olympic super-G champion Daniela Ceccarelli. She has no direct link to Albania other than her mother becoming technical director of the country's Ski Federation in 2021.

The Turin-born skier completed Wednesday’s race with a time of 1:41.78, finishing just behind Germany’s Emma Aicher and American Paula Moltzan.

"I try to do my best, and I'm really proud of it even though it wasn't enough. I know I can do a lot, and ski a lot better, so I will just stay focused on that, and the season is not over," Colturi said.

A slalom specialist, Colturi – who tore her ACL in 2023 – said she is not ruling out competing in speed events soon.

"Speed has always been somewhere in my mind. Unfortunately, after the injury it was difficult to train in the speed disciplines. I was considering doing the next super-G in Italy, in San Pellegrino, but it depends on how I'm feeling. We'll see, why not?" she added.

Women’s World Cup Alpine skiing races are scheduled in Italy’s San Pellegrino in early March.

Like super-G and giant slalom gold medalist Federica Brignone, training is a family affair for Colturi – her mother coaches her, and her father is her athletic trainer.

"It's not easy being coached by your parents – we're all growing, all three of us, and we're learning a lot," she said.

"Having my mom and dad always by my side, here as well, is truly wonderful; they are my rock. I definitely wouldn't be here without them."

Colturi became the youngest female skier on the World Cup circuit in more than 40 years when she debuted at age 15 in 2022. At the Olympics, she served as Albania’s flagbearer in Cortina.

"I haven't spent much time in Cortina and I had never raced here. I didn't know the course very well. But it was just amazing, especially when I crossed the finish line on the first run today. I'm really happy to be here," she said.

When asked if she would like to compete for Italy, Colturi responded: "This is an individual sport, so I am here with my parents and that is the most important thing. As for the future, who knows – we'll see."

-Reporting by Sara Rossi; Editing by Ken Ferris/Reuters