Branksome Hall Grade 12 student Lisa Brunga is in Italy for the opportunity of a lifetime as she gets set to compete in the Olympic Games, representing Albania in Alpine Skiing.

Lisa’s love for skiing began almost as soon as she could walk. She started skiing at age three during family trips to Blue Mountain and by age five had joined Craigleith Ski Club, where she enrolled in club programs and began racing in the U6 category. What started as a fun family activity quickly turned into a passion that has shaped her athletic journey ever since.

Now specializing in Giant Slalom (GS) and Slalom (SL), Lisa will compete in the Slalom event on February 18. She credits the sport with pushing her beyond her comfort zone and giving her a sense of excitement and purpose. “Skiing constantly pushes me to do things I might be hesitant to do,” Lisa says. “I love the thrill and adrenaline. It’s unlike anything else. It has also allowed me to travel across four continents and meet incredible people from around the world.”

Lisa learned she would be heading to the Olympics in December, with the official announcement from the Olympic committee following in January. At first, the news almost felt unreal. “The Olympics were something I had only imagined in my dreams,” she says. “As it started to sink in, I felt incredibly excited and honoured. I’m most looking forward to competing against the best in the world and learning from them. It’s the biggest athletic show on earth, and representing Albania means so much to me.”

Balancing elite training with academic life at Branksome Hall has required discipline, resilience and support. Lisa is part of the school’s elite athlete program, which provides flexibility and a strong network of teachers, coaches and mentors to help her succeed both in sport and in the classroom.

“Balancing skiing and academics isn’t always easy,” Lisa explains. “But Branksome has been incredibly supportive. I have an amazing support team, and I’m really grateful to be able to pursue both at a high level.”

As she prepares for major competitions, Lisa focuses on staying calm, prepared and grounded. Her routine includes early mornings, free runs to adjust to snow conditions, time with teammates and coaches, and active warmups to get both her body and mind race-ready.

Looking to the future, Lisa hopes Alpine Skiing will continue to challenge her, inspire her and allow her to compete on the world stage.

“I want skiing to keep pushing me to compete at the highest level and represent Albania,” she says. “But most importantly, I want it to continue shaping me as a person by building grit, resilience and strength in everything I do.”

As Lisa steps onto the Olympic stage, the Branksome Hall community will be cheering her on, proud of her dedication, determination and the bright future ahead.