Petra Vlhová / Beijing Olympics / GEPA pictures
This is the announcement the ski racing world has been waiting to hear. Petra Vlhová, the Beijing Olympic slalom champion, has announced her decision regarding a possible return in time for the Milano–Cortina 2026 Olympic Games.
Good news
In a video shared on social media, Vlhová delivered positive news about her health status and outlined her plan moving forward.
“I’ve just completed a medical check-up and based on the results, my medical team and physiotherapists have cleared me for full skiing intensity,” Vlhová said. “After two very challenging years, this is truly wonderful news for me. Despite how little time remains until the Olympics, I’ve decided to fight for the chance to compete. I can’t guarantee that I’ll reach this goal, but I can promise I will do my absolute best every single day to earn the chance to be part of the Slovak Olympic team and represent our country. I’ll be training hard, taking it day by day, and closely monitoring how my knee responds to the load. With respect for my body, I’ll make the final decision about competing 48 hours before the slalom race.”
She also thanked her supporters and asked for continued patience and encouragement.
“You have been a huge support throughout my entire journey, and your encouragement has always meant the world to me,” Vlhová said. “However, this time, I’m going to need you more than ever. Thank you for your trust, support, and understanding. Keep your fingers crossed — let’s do this.”
Meanwhile, Ski Team Slovakia, together with the Slovak Olympic team, announced its alpine skiing nominations for the Olympic Games. The three women’s quota places will be filled by Vlhová, Rebeka Jančová and Katarína Šrobová, while the sole men’s spot will be represented by Andreas Žampa.
A star career and a defining rivalry
A Big Crystal, overall, Globe. Olympic gold. One world championship title and five additional World Championship medals. Three Small Crystal, discipline, Globes. Seventy-three World Cup podium finishes, including 31 victories.
At 30 years old, Vlhová has transformed Slovak sport in a way previously considered unimaginable. She has been named Slovak Sportswoman of the Year four consecutive times, and her achievements are historically unprecedented for a country of Slovakia’s size.
Injury, absence, and an unfinished duel
Before her injury, Vlhová and Mikaela Shiffrin were trading blows in both slalom and giant slalom, pushing each other at the very top of the World Cup. That rivalry came to an abrupt halt on January 20, 2024, when Vlhová suffered a serious knee injury during a World Cup giant slalom at her home race in Jasná, Slovakia.
She underwent surgery on her right knee in early February 2024, beginning a long and uncertain recovery process. Although she returned to snow in the autumn, she did not resume competitive racing. In March 2025, she shared another difficult update, posting a photo on crutches following a second knee surgery.
A winner of 22 World Cup slaloms with 46 slalom podium finishes, Vlhová has largely been out of view since the injury, with very little information coming from her camp as she focused on recovery and long-term health. Her preparation since then has been guided by restraint and respect for her body under the leadership of head coach Matej Gemza. Former coach Mauro Pini is currently working with the Italian men’s technical team.
A rivalry that still defines the era
Internationally, Vlhová remains one of the most popular figures in alpine skiing, not only for her results but also for her long-running rivalry with Shiffrin. Their slalom duels have defined an era, rarely interrupted by another competitor.
A lasting symbol of that rivalry is Levi’s reindeer trophy, where the two skiers have dominated since 2016. Thanks to Shiffrin’s two most recent victories there, the rivalry remains very much alive.
Shiffrin has also credited Vlhová as the catalyst for her podcast What’s the Point, which began after a conversation between the two during a training camp in Argentina. Both athletes have repeatedly acknowledged how the presence of the other elevated their performances.
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The Vlhová crowd
Petra Vlhová’s impact extends far beyond results and rankings. For several seasons, seas of orange hats filled the stands at World Cup races and World Championships across Europe, creating one of the most recognizable fan presences in alpine skiing.
When she was injured at her home resort of Jasná in January 2024, fans held their breath as an eerie silence fell over the venue. Moments later, that silence turned into unwavering support, a reflection of the loyalty that has long defined her following.
“There is one race I will never forget — I felt as if I was at a home Olympics or World Championships,” Thea Louise Stjernesund said during a press conference in Sölden. “It was very emotional because Petra got injured there. But her fans were incredible and kind. The noise at the finish area was unbelievable. We were staying in a hotel next to the slope, and already at five in the morning we could see crowds of fans trying to get the best possible spot.”
That presence has continued even during Vlhová’s absence. Over the past two seasons, orange hats and banners reading Petra, we miss you have remained visible at World Cup venues, a quiet but constant reminder of her influence.
Last September, the Petra Vlhová Museum opened through cooperation between Ski Team Vlhová and her official fan club, further underscoring her cultural impact beyond the race course.
On behalf of Ski Racing Media, we wish Petra Vlhová good health and strength as she pursues a return to the world’s biggest stage.
About the Author: Darka Sefcik Starnova
