Submitted by Teresa Koci
Hello fellow Slovenians and friends!
On our flight home from Minneapolis, my husband, Ken, noticed a young woman wearing a Slovenian Olympic jacket. He about jumped out of his seat wanting to meet her! With some restraint, our sister-in-law, Lucille Mlakar, casually introduced herself and the rest of us in our group.
It turned out that the young woman was Lila Lapanja, an Olympic alpine skier who was born and raised in Incline Village in the Lake Tahoe area. Lila proudly represented our beloved Slovenia at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Through our conversation and subsequent text messages, a lovely relationship has begun with this approachable, personable, intelligent, and hard-working young woman. Because of this connection, I would like to put my support behind Lila, and I hope many of you will consider doing the same as she raises funds to help cover the considerable expenses of her Olympic season and future ski racing.
A little about Lila: Her father is from the area near Tržič, Slovenia, and was also a skier. Today, he is Lila’s coach. Lila is not only an Olympian but also a four-time National Champion. Here are Lila’s own words:
“I am now an Olympian and a four-time National Champion! My goal since I was a child was to race in the Olympic Games and I knew if I brought my best to each day feeling competitive, inspired and healthy that I would achieve this dream.
This sport has brought the most amazing people, experiences and opportunities into my life. I am so very grateful with all my heart. I love to move, play and perform at my highest level – with my heart, soul and eyes laser-focused on the prize. I always believed I could reach my potential, ski fast and inspire everyone who believes in me, including you.
Sports are my teacher, my gift, my dream and ski racing is my passion. Day by day, turn-by-turn, this is the amazing adventure I’m honored to share with you. Come ‘ski’ alongside me!”
You can learn more about Lila on her websites: Lila Lapanja Welcome (https://www.lilalapanja.com/), and Meet & Greet with Olympian Lila Lapanja at Ski Beach – Diamond Peak Ski Resort (https://www.diamondpeak.com/event/lila-lapanja-meet-greet/).
For those of you in Northern California, beginning after August 9, Lila will have a pop-up sale of some of her ski gear at Start Haus in Truckee, California (https://maps.app.goo.gl/yFrxypsRCfe2diRq5). Truckee is just a short distance north of Lake Tahoe along Interstate 80, between Sacramento and Reno. Proceeds will help support Lila with the expenses of her Olympic season and continued ski racing. Start Haus Ski & Bike.
If you aren’t able to visit Start Haus, there are other ways to support Lila:
1) Venmo/Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=4D33D8LLM47VS&source=url&ssrt=1787247673916
2) By mail: Lila Lapanja, PO Box 5515, Incline Village, NV 89450
Lila is also contemplating continuing her journey toward the 2030 Winter Olympics, and we wish her tremendous success in whatever she decides for her future.
I hope you will join me in cheering on Lila and supporting this talented young Slovenian-American athlete. It has been such a pleasure getting to know her, and I am excited to see where her hard work, dedication, and love of skiing take her next.
Lep Pozdrav,
Teresa Koci
SUA Br#100 and SNPJ Lodge #786, Southern California
