Petra Vlhova in South Tyrol: “It will be a very tough fight”

Petra Vhlova, what connection do you have to South Tyrol? “My coach Livio Magoni lives in Kalch near Vipiteno, so I’m here regularly. South Tyrol, especially the Wipptal, is very well located, on the one hand because of the excellent weather and training conditions, but also because of the distances to the most important World Cup venues in the Alps.”

Where do you like to spend your time away from the ski slopes? “Unfortunately, I have very little free time in South Tyrol, as we usually only stop here for a few days between the individual World Cup or training stages. The best way to go for a quick tour is on an e-bike. I can really switch off and clear my head. But if I have several days off, I usually go home to see family and friends. If Slovakia were a little closer, I would certainly spend a lot more time. I really like the region.”

“I received the balls in a package, which was an undignified conclusion.” At the last World Championships, 2019 in Åre, you won a complete set of medals. What ambitions are you preparing for the upcoming World Cup in Cortina? “I would like to confirm my performance from 2018 and maybe improve it a little bit. But talking about clear goals is very difficult at the moment. Nobody knows what the situation will be at the end of next winter, whether and under what conditions driving will take place.”

How much does it still hurt that you couldn't finish last season because of the Corona stop and so had to hand over the big ball to Federica Brignone without a fight? “In the end, the overall World Cup was of secondary importance; in fact, I found it a shame not to be able to celebrate winning the small crystal balls in the slalom and parallel competition with my team and my fans. I received the two trophies in one package, which was an undignified end to a long season. In the end, everyone’s health took priority.”

Permanent rivals among themselves: Mikaela Shiffrin, Federica Brignone and Petra Vlhova. © APA/afp / MIGUEL MEDINA

The coming season will see another tough battle for the overall World Cup. What chances do you expect? “Mikaela Shiffrin and Federica Brignone will certainly be my toughest opponents again, plus a handful of other athletes who can be at the forefront over the long term. This will be a very tough fight. I will do everything in my power over the next few weeks to improve myself and have a say at the front.”

“The entire sport of skiing will suffer from this situation.” Corona requires special measures in the coming season. How do you feel about the coming winter? “Since we were still able to ski in Slovakia in April and I have been working through my training program as planned since then, I have not been severely restricted by the Corona measures so far. I feel really good and can't wait to get started. What the situation will be like during the season can hardly be said at this point. I don’t even want to worry about it now.”

How big would the loss be for ski racing if a large proportion of the races had to be held without spectators? “I have never driven without spectators, it will definitely be very strange. Millions can follow us on TV screens and I can also keep in touch with my fans on my social media channels, but the noise and cheers on the side of the slopes will certainly be missing. It won’t be an easy year for us, and the whole sport of skiing will suffer from this situation.”

Questions: Alexander Foppa

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Petra Vlhova in South Tyrol: “It will be a very tough fight”

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