Lila Lapanja: From USA to Slovenia – A New Alpine Skiing Chapter

American skier Lila Lapanja, known for her slalom prowess, is a six-year veteran of the US Ski Team and has recently skied as an independent. She is making headlines with her decision to switch her skiing citizenship from the USA to Slovenia. This move comes after an extensive successful career competing under the US flag, including notable achievements, such as scoring World Cup slalom points multiple times during her career.

“As a six-year veteran of USST, I am so grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had and all the opportunities ahead of me,” says Lapanja. By joining the Slovenian national team, she aims to make a competitive breakthrough and fulfill her dream of participating in the Olympic Games.

Lapanja’s journey in competitive skiing has seen her achieve commendable results, with her best finish being a 23rd place in Flachau, Austria, back in 2016. Despite facing challenges and losing her national team status, she continued to showcase her skills and determination, earning a 27th place in the Jasna, Slovakia World Cup during the past season and ending the season ranked 54th on the Slalom World Cup Start List.

The Skiing Federation of Slovenia has already initiated the process, submitting Lapanja’s application along with necessary documents to the International Skiing Federation (FIS). With her dual American-Slovenian citizenship and endorsement from the US organization, the transition is expected to proceed smoothly. This move would see Lapanja joining the Slovenian national team alongside notable names like Neja Dvornik, Andreja Slokar, and Ani Bucik. Joining the Slovenian national team, Lapanja aims to make a competitive breakthrough and fulfill her dream of participating in the Olympic Games. Undoubtedly, her determination and recent performances indicate her potential for success.

Lapanja’s skiing background is rooted in a family connection to the sport. Her father, Vojko Lapanja, a former Slovenian alpine skier, moved to the United States as a student and later raised his family there. Following in her father’s footsteps, Lila excelled in skiing from a young age, eventually earning a spot on the US Ski Team before embarking on her journey as an independent athlete.

The decision to switch skiing citizenship is not uncommon in the skiing world. This year, other notable athletes, such as Marcel Hirscher and Lucas Braathen, have also requested changes to their racing nationality. Lapanja’s move to Slovenia reflects her determination to continue pursuing her passion for skiing at the highest levels of competition.

As Lapanja prepares to represent Slovenia in future competitions, her fans and supporters eagerly anticipate her performances on the slopes, rooting for her success in the upcoming seasons and potential Olympic appearances.

Information sources SPORTKLUB Slovenia and skinews.ch