Lara Colturi with Albania at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics: end of the quarrel

Rome, 30 April 2025 – Closing credits on the 'mystery' that has dominated Italian skiing in recent weeks. Lara Colturi will compete for Albania at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Confirmation comes from the Tirana ski federation which with a press release dispels all doubts: "Good news for Albania and the Albanian Ski Federation. An agreement has been reached for the athlete Lara Colturi to continue competing for Albania and for the 2025-2026 season. The details of the contract are being worked out". The note continues. "In addition to her sporting career, we wish Lara success at school as she will complete her high school studies (the slalom skier is busy with her final exams these weeks, ed.)''.

"Success to Lara and Albania in the next Olympics" in Milan-Cortina, continues the Federation, scheduled for 2026. In recent weeks, rumors had filtered through the Albanian media that wanted Crops about to 'return' to base, precisely to be able to compete under the Italian flag at the next Games. According to the Albanian newspapers, the change of direction was based on economic reasons. Evidently resolved: as the press release clarifies, “the agreement” has been reached. What nature and details, for the moment, are not known. Also because, as the same note explains, “the details are being worked out”.

 Colturi has closed its third season in World Cup with excellent results, racking up three podiums (two in giant and one in special slalom) and finishing in eighth place in the overall World Cup standings won by Federica Brignone. A sensational season for the 19-year-old daughter of Daniela Ceccarelli – Olympic gold medalist in Super G in Salt Lake City in 2002 – who is a candidate as a possible medalist at the next Olympics. 

Lara was born in Turin in 2006, but in 2022, shortly before turning 16, she decided to make her debut on the Fis circuits under the flag of Albania, of which she acquired citizenship, and under the guidance of her mother, who became the technical director of the national team. Before stepping onto the podium in the World Cup, she won a gold medal (super-G) and two bronze medals (both in giant slalom) at the Junior World Championships between 2023 and 2024.