Petra Vlhova (on the stretcher) has to be taken away by helpers. © ANSA / MARTIN DIVISEK

Very seriously injured: the Vlhova diagnosis is there

The home race in Jasna, Slovakia was actually supposed to be a celebration for Petra Vlhova. But it ended in a nightmare.

20 January 2024

From: det

Petra Vlhova is Mikaela Shiffrin's worst opponent in the fight for the overall World Cup. But now the Slovakian has to end her season early. Vlhova tore a cruciate ligament in her knee when she fell in the giant slalom in Jasna. So your winter is already over.

Vlhova fell in the first round on Saturday after an inside ski error. The thousands of Slovakian fans were immediately worried because the 2022 Olympic slalom champion had to be transported away on the sled.

Now there is a long pause

A little later, Mauro Pini, Vlhova's coach, spoke up: “Unfortunately there is no good news. Petra has torn a cruciate ligament in her right knee and her season is over. She was transported away by helicopter. Her shoulder also hurt – but everything is fine.”

A torn cruciate ligament usually requires a minimum break of six months. So Vlhova’s focus is now on the comeback. In the overall World Cup, Vlhova is around 300 points behind leader Shiffrin. No more meters will be added this year.