Petra Vlhová: GEPA pictures
Skiing: Petra Vlhová Returns to the Slopes After Long Recovery
Information provided by TASR (Slovakia)
A Long-Awaited Return
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (Oct. 8, 2025) — After months of rehab and two knee surgeries, Slovakia’s 2022 Olympic slalom champion Petra Vlhová is finally returning to the snow. The 2022 Olympic champion will take her first training runs this week on the Stelvio Glacier in Italy under her new head coach, Matej Gemza, team manager Richard Galovič confirmed.
“It’s a groundbreaking moment, the result of a long, determined effort,” Galovič said. “It took an incredibly long time, and Petra was in a similar position a year ago when we thought she was ready to return to elite racing. But more than six months ago, she had to undergo a second operation. That was the only way to continue progressing safely through the training load.”
Months of Work Behind the Comeback
Galovič said Vlhová fulfilled every requirement from her doctors and physiotherapists. “During the second half of that recovery, she started basic conditioning, then moved into strength training,” he said. “We’ve now reached the stage where she has official approval to ski again. It’s a dream moment after such a long, complex, and physically and mentally demanding recovery. But the hardest part still lies ahead. Petra and our team have a huge amount of work in front of us.”
Training Block at Stelvio
Vlhová will begin her snow comeback on Stelvio this week. “Right now she’s finishing her strength phase and will head to Italy in the coming days,” Galovič said. “Her first block is a seven-day training camp, with more sessions to follow.”
The immediate goal is not race readiness but rebuilding snow comfort and performance consistency. “She’ll need at least 50 quality training days on snow before we can start thinking about race comparisons or start lists,” he said. “Still, it’s an incredible milestone to move training from the gym, track, bike, and pool back to skis. This is a very meaningful step for us.”
Eyes on the Season Ahead
Vlhová’s return comes at the start of an Olympic season, though Galovič emphasized patience. Her team plans to monitor each phase carefully before discussing race entries. Still, returning to snow marks a major psychological victory for one of alpine skiing’s fiercest competitors.
“It’s been a long road,” Galovič said. “But Petra’s determination never wavered. Getting back on skis means everything.”
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