Petra Vlhova © APA / BARBARA GINDL

Two long years: Vlhova celebrates comeback at the Olympics

Finally, the period of suffering is over: Petra Vlhova returns to the slopes after two years of absence – at the Olympic Games.

February 08, 2026

From: never

“On my way to Cortina for my fourth Olympic Games,” Petra Vlhova announced in a social media post. This news delighted fans throughout the skiing world – after all, the 2022 Olympic champion's last competition feels like an eternity ago. “It's been two years since I last raced, and I can't wait to be back at the starting gate and represent my country.”

In a serious fall during the giant slalom in Jasna in January 2024, Vlhova tore her anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in her right knee, and since then she has had a long and arduous journey back to the big stage. A year later, she had to undergo another operation due to persistent knee problems. This setback weighed heavily on the Slovakian woman.Then, in mid-January, came the bombshell: Vlhova announced a comeback – and at the Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, no less.

Vlhova: Slalom and team combined as goals

The 30-year-old's physiotherapists gave the overall World Cup winner of the 2020/21 season the green light to compete about three weeks ago. "So I can ski at full intensity again," she remarked at the time. And when will Vlhova be back on the slopes? The 2019 giant slalom world champion plans to compete in the team combined event on Tuesday (10:00/14:00). All eyes will also be on her in her signature discipline: she will start as the defending champion in the slalom on February 18 (10:00/13:30).

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