<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">17 year old Laura, AKA Lála, has been on the rise in recent seasons, and is currently absolutely stomping it. She's taken the win in her last 3 comps and just yesterday was the victor in Poland, at the <strong>FIS Europa Cup Big Air - Kotelnica Bialczanska, 2024</strong>. She also took out the <strong>FIS Euopa Cup Big Air</strong> at <strong>Font Romeu</strong> and the<strong> FIS Junior Slopestyle</strong> at <strong>Schladming Planai </strong>in January.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, here’s the lowdown on this <strong>top rider </strong>with a<strong> </strong>big future ahead of her!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Laura’s parents grew up in post-communist<strong> Czechoslovakia</strong> in the skate and snowboard scene, so it’s no surprise she was in love with boardsports from an early age and is part of a new generation of children eagerly spreading ‘the ride’ in this beautiful country in central Europe. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since childhood, she often travelled with her family, between <strong>Prague</strong> and the <strong>Krkonoše Mountains</strong> - Bohemian Paradise - where she grew up in a log cabin by a stream among the woods and in the meadows. Later she was also travelling in Europe and the United States. In summer she climbed trees and in the winter, she enjoyed the snow when it fell - sledding, building snowmen, and skiing… although they never took her completely!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When she was in<strong> </strong>Prague, she danced, played beach volleyball and the guitar, went to Sokol club, skated at<strong> Mystic Skatepark Štvanice</strong>, and trained in athletics. She excelled at sports, regularly placing first in Prague-wide competitions in several disciplines. Then once, during running competition, she was stuck at the start of the race when she heard the starting gun for the first time, and she decided she didn't want to continue doing athletics.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the age of 9, Lála borrowed the kit to be able to go snowboarding for the first time. She started training at the age of 10 with her stepdad and coach <strong>Richard Skandera</strong> and at the age of 11 she raced for the first time. In the same season she became the national champion in Freestyle snowboarding in the <strong>Slopestyle </strong>category. These days Lála is still riding with Richard. They train all year round not only in the mountains in Bohemia and in Austria, but also progress with airbag training in Austria or at the Snow Dome indoor freezer in Bispingen, Germany. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In April 2023, she was invited by <strong>Anna Gasser </strong>and <strong>Red Bull </strong>to the prestigious <strong>Future Queens</strong> event at <strong>Absolut Park</strong>. This is a special session bringing together the best upcoming female snowboarders (watch all the fun below!).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Her dream is to improve and enjoy her snowboard lifestyle to the fullest. Boardriding.com is wishing her more brillant riding and progression for the rest of the season!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Make sure to follow Laura over on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lalazraje" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lalazraje/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Plus check out her recent results over at FIS <a href="https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/athlete-biography.html?sectorcode=sb&competitorid=251818&type=result" target="_blank">here</a>!</div>