Petra Vlhová prepares for skiing comeback after serious injury

Slovak alpine skier Petra Vlhová is preparing for a new season in South America following a period of significant personal and professional challenges. After suffering a serious knee injury during a World Cup event in Jasná in January 2024, the Olympic slalom champion underwent surgeries that sidelined her for approximately two and a half years.

Vlhová revealed in a recent interview that the injury forced her to re-evaluate her priorities. She stated that prior to the injury, skiing and competitive success were her entire focus, but facing health struggles led to a stage where she was indifferent to her career. “I was at a stage where I didn't care about skiing at all and it didn't matter to me what would happen to my career,” she noted, emphasizing that her primary concern was simply being able to live and function normally.

Despite these hardships, Vlhová is working toward a return to top-tier competition. She recently participated in the 2026 Olympics, finishing 20th in the slalom after an incomplete team event. She expressed a new mindset of enjoying the present moment rather than constantly focusing on future results. The upcoming season is scheduled to begin in late October in Sölden, followed by stops in Levi, Gurgl, and the United States.