Photo: Christian Markthaler
Inspired by Lindsey Vonn, Fueled by Color, and Rooted on Three Continents — Meet Lara Markthaler, the Pink Tornado Lighting Up the Slopes
Born in Germany to a South African mother, Judith, and a German father, Christian, then raised in Canada, Lara “Spunkiiiiii” Markthaler now races under the South African flag. With pink hair, fearless turns, and a smile as bright as her race suit, the “Pink Tornado” is bringing fresh color, warmth, and energy to alpine skiing.
Cultures That Shaped Her
Fresh off a training camp in Hintertux, Austria, where the conditions were “super icy” — just the way she likes them — Markthaler radiates enthusiasm as she talks about her roots in South Africa.
“All my mom’s family is in South Africa — grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles — everyone lives there,” she said. “When I entered FIS, I had to decide between Germany and South Africa. I love South Africa and feel very connected to the country, so I chose them, and we’re super happy with the decision. We love being the ‘exotic’ part of the ski community.”
Asked about life between continents, she smiles.
“I grew up among a lot of cultures and people. I don’t feel like I belong to just one culture. For me, everything is kind of normal. So I don’t really have a culture shock between these places. Does that make sense?”
Still, she knows skiing is rare in South Africa — which makes her connection to fans even stronger.
“In South Africa, everyone watches rugby and cricket,” she said. “When I tell people I ski, they’re like, ‘Really? How do you train in South Africa?’ At the gym, people asked about skiing and the Olympics — everyone was so supportive. Being the only one at the Youth Olympics for South Africa, it’s important for us to put the country on the winter sports map. I love that role.”
Spunkiiiiii
It’s impossible not to notice her. With pink hair, infectious energy, and an open personality, Markthaler stands out in a sport of mostly uniform race suits. Her bold look has helped make her one of the most interesting new faces on the alpine scene — and a rising social-media star.
“It started in Canada,” she said. “I opened Instagram when I was around 10. My childhood nickname is Spunki, but with one ‘i’ it wasn’t available, so we added more — and now everyone knows it.”
Her father, a former marketing professional, handles her social media while doubling as coach, photographer, and manager.
“My dad manages my Instagram. It’s a lot of work, but I love it. I love when people come up and say, ‘Hey, you’re Spunkiiiiii, right? I recognized the pink hair!’ Especially when little kids or parents say their daughter asks to see my account. I love being a bit of a role model. We always carry stickers with my logo — a skull with a pink ponytail, created by my dad’s friend — and hand them out to fans.”
She laughs when she hears one of those stickers already decorates the interviewer’s laptop.
Idols, Colors, and Fans
As her following grows, so does her sense of responsibility. Markthaler understands the importance of inspiration.
“My all-time favorite? Lindsey Vonn,” she said. “I love that she’s not only an athlete but also an entertainer. Many athletes have strong fan bases — people are with you through ups and downs. It’s important to give back, to talk to them. Lindsey does that amazingly — glamorous, strong, fun.”
She also admires a new wave of racers redefining the sport.
“And of course, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen,” she said. “He brings new, fresh energy and color into ski racing. Pro sport is strict, so it can use that kind of energy. I hope that, with South Africa, if I get faster and become a World Cup skier, I can have a similar effect. I actually use his signature guards — the Brazilian-style colors match my South African race suit perfectly.”
At the 2025 World Championships in Saalbach, Markthaler raced alongside one of her biggest heroes — Mikaela Shiffrin, who had just returned from injury and finished fifth.
“I saw her at the top in hospitality,” Markthaler said. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, what is going on?’ Seeing her warming up — she was just another person, so nice and normal. You build these superhuman images in your head — which they are — but then you see them just sitting and eating. It was surreal. And such an amazing experience and motivation for me to progress.”
‘Go Slow and Make It a Great Experience’
The Saalbach World Championships also happened to fall on her 18th birthday — a day she says she’ll never forget.
“It started in the morning before inspection,” she said. “I went to the start to say my name and get my bib. People started whispering. Five minutes later, I’m waiting to inspect with some friends, and the whole ORF (Austrian TV) team — maybe 20 people — started singing Happy Birthday to me at 7:30 a.m. I cried — happy tears — the first of many times that day.”
Her father offered unforgettable advice before the race.
“Before the first run, my dad told me: ‘Lara, don’t go fast. Your only goal is to make it down. The course is very difficult and icy. If you attack, you’re 99% going out. You’ll never experience this again — just get to the finish.’”
She followed his words — and turned a cautious run into a milestone.
“I got to the finish — and 20,000 people sang Happy Birthday to me,” she said. “It was unbelievable. There were huge banners with my name and photo all over the grandstand. This will be the day I’ll tell my grandchildren about.”
Her “slow” run became a symbolic success, finishing 29th for South Africa — a proud moment for both her and her country.
Team Setup in the Olympic Season
Markthaler’s favorite training bases are in the Italian Dolomites — Val di Fassa, Cortina, and the surrounding peaks. For her, it feels like a second home: beautiful views, great food, and some of the world’s best training terrain.
But her setup is modest — just her and her father, Christian, who manages coaching, ski prep, and logistics.
“This winter I’m joining a small Italian team with four or five athletes,” she said. “They have a few super-fast girls with low-20 FIS points. Hopefully I can chase them and have a successful winter. We’ll be based in Cortina before the Olympics — to see the buildup, get used to it, maybe train on the slope beforehand — so the Games won’t feel overwhelming.”
Her goals are clear: lower FIS points, gain experience, qualify for a World Cup start before the Olympics, and proudly represent South Africa on the biggest stage.
A Pink Future
Lara Markthaler isn’t just racing against the clock — she’s racing toward something bigger: a more colorful, connected, and joyful world of skiing.
About the Author: Darka Sefcik Starnova
