Renown Artistic Skater and former World Skate Athletes’ Representative Lucija Mlinaric tragically passes away at 32 after a long battle with cancer.
Born in Šempeter (Slovenia) on 20 August 1987, Lucija developed a passion for Artistic Skating and her determination, innate elegance and strength definitely shaped her into a formidable athlete. On July 2013, at only 26, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Adamantly, Lucija refused to let her illness put a stop to her career: after only a week after being diagnosed, she attended the World Games in Cali (Colombia), and after just a year from her breast surgery, she won the title of European Champion during the European Artistic Championships in Roccaraso. “This time I did not participate with the aim of winning or doing a perfect performance”, she commented light-heartedly after her win. “I just wanted to skate and do what I love”.
In total, she won 22 medals in European and World Championships, a force to be reckoned with.
She was also elected World Skate Athletes’ Representative in 2013, a perfect fit for her open-hearted, caring and friendly nature.

In this moment of sorrow, we can all take solace in her talent, great achievements and, above all, her resilience.

Goodbye, Lucija. You will be missed.