Italian-born Albanian World Cup star Lara Colturi has officially joined the HEAD Worldcup Rebels team, ending months of speculation after announcing in May that she was leaving long-time equipment sponsor Blizzard Sport GmbH. HEAD confirmed the signing on social media Wedneday, July 1, welcoming the 19-year-old to its prestigious World Cup race team. The signing marks the fourth major addition to HEAD’s World Cup roster this offseason, joining Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen, Italy’s Christof Innerhofer, and New Zealand’s Alice Robinson.
“The fire was just the beginning.
We’re excited to officially welcome Lara Colturi to the HEAD Worldcup Rebels team.
New colors. Same hunger. Big goals ahead.”
Although still just 19 years old, Colturi has rapidly established herself as one of the leading technical skiers on the women’s World Cup circuit. After making her World Cup debut at just 16, she recorded multiple top-20 finishes before capturing junior world championship gold in super-G and bronze in giant slalom at the 2023 Junior World Championships in St. Anton.
Over the past two seasons, Colturi has continued her rapid rise, collecting seven World Cup podiums; five in slalom and two in giant slalom. She finished seventh in the 2025-26 slalom standings and was fifth in the 2024-25 giant slalom standings, while also placing eighth overall during the 2024-25 World Cup season. “Lara Colturi is an exceptionally strong athlete for her age,” said HEAD Racing Director Rainer Salzgeber. “I expect her to be one of the defining athletes in the World Cup over the next few years.” Salzgeber added that while Colturi is already established in slalom and giant slalom, HEAD also sees long-term potential in super-G. “I see Lara Colturi as one of the few all-rounders who can be very strong across several disciplines.”
Colturi said she immediately felt comfortable with both the team and the equipment. “I am very happy to begin this collaboration with HEAD,” she said. “Season after season, the HEAD Worldcup Rebels prove their leading position in terms of performance and competitiveness across all disciplines. I am very happy to have the support of such a great company.” She also confirmed that her long-time service technician, Andrea Vianello, will remain with her as she makes the transition to HEAD.
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Colturi’s journey to the World Cup has been anything but conventional. Born in Turin, Italy, she is the daughter of Italian 2002 Olympic super-G champion Daniela Ceccarelli, who also coaches her. When Colturi attempted to fast-track her progression through the Italian system as a teenager, the Federazione Italiana Sport Invernali (FISI) declined to allow her to compete internationally at the level she sought because of her age. Instead, Ceccarelli registered her daughter with the Albanian Ski Federation, allowing her to compete internationally much earlier, and the debut was a success, with the 16-year-old finishing her debut season in 30th place in giant slalom. She claimed her first World Cup podium at just 18 years old in Gurgl and quickly established herself as one of the most promising technical specialists on the circuit.
Ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, Colturi’s family formally requested a transfer back to Italy. However, the Albanian Ski Federation declined to release its star athlete, arguing that Albania had played a pivotal role in her rapid development. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama subsequently pledged €300,000 (approximately $350,000) in government funding to support Colturi’s training, and she continued representing Albania throughout the Olympic season.
Now, with a new equipment supplier beneath her feet, Colturi begins the next chapter of what is already one of alpine skiing’s most remarkable young careers. Her move to HEAD puts her in the company of skiing greats such as Linsey Vonn, Lara Gut-Behrami, Camille Rast, and Wendy Holdener. It will be exciting to see how the equipment change will play out for Colturi’s 2026-27 season — the ski brand has after all the most successful equipment sponsor of the World Cup circuit for years in a row.