Petra Vlhová Officially Returns to the World Cup at the Season Opener in Sölden

Petra Vlhová’s return to the Alpine Skiing World Cup is now official: after an absence of almost three years, the Slovak athlete will compete in the giant slalom in Sölden on 24 October 2026.

Her last appearance before the break was at the home event in Jasná, where Petra crashed in January 2024. The injury was serious: the skier had to undergo several operations, followed by a lengthy period of rehabilitation. Now that chapter is behind her, and Vlhová is optimistic about her prospects ahead of the new season.

Preparation for her return took place on two fronts — physical and psychological. Petra began training on snow in Austria as early as May. She then travelled to Italy for a training camp, continued intensive strength work and subsequently spent several weeks in Argentina.

“I can see my progress with every run,” Vlhová said at a press conference. At the same time, the athlete admits that after such a long break she will need time: “Of course, I have to be honest — I haven’t competed for a long time, and I need time to get back into form.”

For Vlhová, rehabilitation was not only a test of body and mind, but also a period of serious self-reflection. She says that she now views her sporting journey and results differently.

“Compared with before the injury, I am a completely different person. At last, I am enjoying the whole process. In the past, I often took success and podium finishes for granted. Now I appreciate every moment, even when things do not go according to plan,” Petra admitted.

Returning to slalom remains a particular challenge for her. Vlhová has always called this discipline her favourite, but she currently feels more confident in the giant slalom. She puts this down to the characteristics of the course: in slalom, the gates are closer together, so turns have to be made much more frequently.

However, this shift in priorities does not mean giving up her ambitions. “It does not mean that I have no goals or that I do not want to win. I still want to give my all and win. But I need time — in recent years, I have not had enough good training on snow,” Vlhová stressed.

The 31-year-old athlete is trying not to put additional pressure on herself. She says she has rediscovered the joy of skiing and now wants to move forwards gradually: “I am happy to be doing what I love and am enjoying it step by step.”

Like her many fans, Petra Vlhová is eagerly awaiting the start of the season. Photo: Petra Vlhová’s team. 15:39 18.10.26