Help young ski talent Luka

My name is Luka Paunović, I am a 16-year-old alpine ski racer from Nova Varoš, Zlatar (Serbia), competing in Slalom and Giant Slalom. I am a member of Ski Club Zlatar, and this season I officially entered the FIS system, marking an important step in my development toward high-level international competition.

I come from an environment that does not offer ideal conditions for alpine skiing. Unlike most young racers across Europe who spend 100–150 days per year on snow, often training on glaciers, my previous season included only around 20 training sessions through gates in total. Despite this major disadvantage, I managed to qualify and compete in Italy at the Pinocchio Trophy, one of the four to five most prestigious international races for young alpine skiers. I represented Serbia alongside some of the country’s best young athletes and proved that potential and determination can overcome limited resources.

This achievement was not the result of luck, but of discipline, focus, and efficiency in training. Every day on snow had to count. Competing against athletes who had significantly more experience and time on skis, I demonstrated that I belong at that level and that my development curve is strong.

During my first FIS season, my results were affected by a lack of structured training and preparation. However, I currently hold approximately 230 FIS points in Giant Slalom and around 250 FIS points in Slalom, which reflects my base level and confirms my presence in the international system. More importantly, these points do not represent my real potential.

I am grateful for the support I receive at the local level. For this season, I was awarded 104,000 RSD by the Municipality, which represents valuable recognition of my work and potential. However, alpine skiing is an extremely demanding and expensive sport, and this support alone is far from sufficient to cover the costs of glacier training, travel, accommodation, equipment, and competition participation. Due to these realities, my family is not able to independently finance the entire process required for proper athletic development at the international level.

Starting this March, I am entering a serious and continuous training phase, focusing on:

 • strength and power development

 • conditioning and endurance

 • agility, coordination, and explosiveness

From September onward, I will begin regular glacier training, which will finally allow me to train on snow with continuity and structure. With consistent preparation and competition exposure, my clear short-term goal is to significantly lower my FIS points, while my medium-term objective is to compete for top-10 placements in selected races.

I see my career not as a short-term attempt, but as a long-term project. I am looking for partners who recognize potential, work ethic, and vision — partners who want to support a motivated athlete at a crucial stage of development. In return, I offer professional representation, dedication, visibility, and loyalty to those who choose to be part of my journey.

Coming from a small town in Serbia, I have learned to work harder than most to reach the same level. What I have achieved so far, with minimal resources, is proof of my commitment. With the right support, I am confident that I can take the next steps toward becoming one of the stronger competitors in my age category.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my story and my ambitions.

I would be honored to discuss potential cooperation and partnership.

Luka Paunović

Alpine Ski Racer

FIS Athlete | Serbia

Member of Ski Club Zlatar

Born 2009