Team South Africa’s Lara Markthaler, the country’s only representative at the Winter Youth Olympics in Gangwon, South Korea, wrapped up her competition on Thursday.
The 16-year-old was taking part in the Women’s Giant Slalom, having previously taken to the snow for the Women’s Super-G, where she placed a respectable 33rd, and in the Women’s Combined Slalom and Women’s Giant Slalom, where she was unable to complete the course.
There were 78 entrants for the first run of Thursday’s event at the Jeongseon High 1 Ski Report and the South African teenager was the 34th competitor to be sent on her way down the slope.
However, she was one of 18 competitors who were unable to finish the course. She therefore didn’t line-up for the second run of the event. In total only 44 of the original starters completed it.
Austria’s alpine skier Maja Waroschitz delivered a flawless performance in both runs of the women’s slalom and claimed her second title at these Games.
The 17-year-old celebrated her win with a scream of joy and spent a few moments collecting herself, hugging her knees: “It was incredible, I can’t find words for that,” said Waroschitz, visibly emotional.
Markthaler’s results from the Winter Youth Olympics were:
Women’s Super-G: 33rd (57.13sec)
Women’s Alpine Combined Slalom: DNF
Women’s Giant Slalom: DNF
Women’s Slalom: DNF