Lara Vadlau

Lara Vadlau was born on March 29, 1994, in Feldbach, Austria. She began her Olympic journey at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, competing in the women’s 470 class, where she finished 20th alongside her crewmate Eva-Maria Schimak. Her early career saw significant achievements, including two World Championship titles in the 470 class in 2014 and 2015.

Following the Rio 2016 Olympics, where she entered as a favorite but did not medal, Vadlau took a five-year hiatus from competitive sailing to pursue a medical degree. She successfully completed her medical studies, often balancing hospital rotations and Olympic training camps, demonstrating her dedication to both her academic and athletic aspirations. Her return to sailing marked a new chapter, as she partnered with Lukas Mähr to compete in the mixed 470 class, a newly introduced Olympic event.

In 2024, Vadlau achieved a significant milestone by winning a gold medal in the Mixed 470 event at the Paris Summer Olympics with Lukas Mähr. This victory marked Austria’s first Olympic sailing gold medal in 20 years and solidified her reputation as a top-tier athlete. Her career progression highlights a remarkable ability to adapt, persevere, and excel across different phases of her professional and athletic life, proving that it is possible to achieve both medical and Olympic success.