Lara Naki Gutmann is coming off the best season of her career, winning her first medal at a Grand Prix, and placing 6th at Europeans and 13th at Worlds. After participating only in the team event at the 2022 Olympics, Lara Naki achieved a major goal last year by helping Italy qualify a spot for the home Olympics. Known for her creative and offbeat programs, Lara Naki is sure to amaze us with something special this season!
Favorite Animal?
My dog Chewbecca!
Bedtime?
Usually midnight
Your Comfort food?
Chocolate
Any recurring Dreams?
I rarely remember my dreams, but the last one was pretty weird: two famous Italian singers I listen to came to my ice rink to try skating 😂
An Embarrassing moment?
The first time in Japan, I pressed every button on the high-tech toilet trying to flush it. Instead, it sprayed water, played music, and opened the lid again. It was kinda fun and surprising actually 😂
Favorite Fan encounter?
I loved the notes that some Japanese fans gave me at WTT this year. They were folded like origami! 😍
Genre of music?
Italian pop music.
Holiday memory?
I carry in my heart the memory of a tradition we’ve always had in my dad’s family at Christmas (a South Tyrolean tradition). We would always gather on the evening of December 24th to have dinner together and eat lots of different kinds of cookies baked by my grandma, and then sing Christmas songs in German all together under the Christmas tree.
Can you play an Instrument?
No, but I learned to play the recorder in middle school.
Dream Job as a child?
Owning a “gelateria” (ice cream shop). I love ice cream and always thought ice cream vendors were super rich because a lot of people buy it. 😅😅😅
Favorite Karaoke song?
Maledetta Primavera by Loretta Goggi
Language you’d like to speak?
I speak Italian, English, and German. I’d love to practice my German more, and learn Spanish.
Favorite Movie?
Pirates of the Caribbean
Do you have any Nicknames?
Sometimes just Naki!
Your go-to Outfit?
I love summer dresses.
Favorite Podcast?
TED Talks
Quote you live by?
Even if you fall on your face, you are still moving forward!
Favorite Restaurant?
Pizzeria
Season you wish it were year-round?
Summer
Training day essentials?
Food, foam roller, and… motivation.
Who or what do you think is Underrated?
Doing absolutely nothing on a Sunday is way too underrated. It’s self-care, not a waste of time. I should learn to do it, as it’s not so easy for me.
A View that takes your breath away?
Sunset/sea
Your Whereabouts on a day off?
At the lake (Garda Lake).
An eXperience that changed you?
There have been some experiences in my life that have shaped who I am today. Here are two of them:
On a personal level, one of the most impactful moments was when my grandmother passed away. I was very close to her, and losing her was incredibly hard for me. That same year, I also lost my childhood dog, who had been with me for most of my life. Those two losses really marked me and made me grow emotionally in ways I didn’t expect.
In skating, there was a different kind of experience that gave me strength and positively changed my perspective. After competing in one Grand Prix, I had the chance to speak with a former champion who’s now a coach. He’s always been kind to me, but this time he came up to me, told me he truly believes in me, and shared some advice that really stuck. His words motivated me deeply and gave me the strength to keep going. That conversation made a real difference for me, both as a skater and as a person.
A Year that you would like to visit if you had a time machine?
Year 2100, to see what’s in store for us in the future.
What is your Zodiac sign, and do you believe in the zodiac?
I don’t really believe in it, I just know that I’m a Scorpio. 😅
I did some research to answer fully: I’m Scorpio, rising sign in Gemini, moon in Sagittarius.
More:
GOEing into Detail with Lara Naki Gutmann (2023 Video Interview)
