Petra Vlhová Targets Full World Cup Return After Two-Year Injury Layoff

For the first time in more than two years, Petra Vlhová is heading into a World Cup offseason without the grueling demands of medical rehabilitation dictating her every move. The 31-year-old Slovakian alpine star recently spent her birthday training on the Stelvio Glacier in Italy, posting photos from a summer camp that marks a triumphant milestone in her career.[1]

The images of Vlhová carving through the summer snow represent far more than routine offseason preparation. After enduring two knee surgeries and an agonizing 24-month absence from the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup circuit, the 2022 Olympic slalom champion is officially building toward a full-time return for the 2026-27 season.[1]

The journey back to the start gate has been one of the most arduous in modern ski racing. Vlhová’s ordeal began in January 2024 during a giant slalom race in her home resort of Jasná, Slovakia. Skiing in front of a passionate local crowd, she skidded out mid-run and crashed heavily into the B-nets, tearing both the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) in her right knee.[1][2][6]

At the time of the devastating crash, Vlhová was at the peak of her powers. She had already collected three World Cup victories and seven podium finishes that season, sitting just 25 points behind her longtime rival Mikaela Shiffrin in the slalom standings. The injury abruptly ended her campaign and severed one of the sport's most compelling duels.[1][6]

What was initially projected to be a standard one-season recovery quickly evolved into a complex, multi-year ordeal. Persistent cartilage issues and complications during the healing process forced Vlhová to undergo a second knee surgery in March 2025. The setback meant she missed the 2025 Alpine Skiing World Championships entirely, spending months on crutches while her peers competed in Saalbach.[4][6][7]

Throughout the summer of 2025, Vlhová’s training was confined to the gym, the bike, and the pool. Her team, led by new head coach Matej Gemza and manager Richard Galovič, prioritized long-term health over a rushed return. They established strict physical benchmarks that had to be met before she could even consider clicking into her bindings.[4]

The tide finally turned in October 2025, when Vlhová received initial clearance to return to the snow for a seven-day training camp on the Stelvio Glacier. Galovič described the moment as an "incredible milestone," noting the immense psychological relief of shifting her recovery from the weight room back to the mountain. However, he cautioned that she would need at least 50 days of high-quality snow training before race readiness could be evaluated.[4][5]

By January 2026, the Slovakian star reached the ultimate medical breakthrough. She released a video to her supporters announcing that her medical team and physiotherapists had cleared her for full skiing intensity. "After two very challenging years, this is truly wonderful news for me," Vlhová said, declaring her intention to fight for a spot at the upcoming Milano-Cortina Olympics despite the extraordinarily tight timeline.[1][3]

Her ambitious Olympic bid culminated in an emotional return to competition in February 2026. Vlhová took to the start gate for the women's team combined event at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d'Ampezzo. It was her first competitive race in over two years, a moment celebrated by fans and fellow competitors alike.[2][5][7]

Although her Olympic return did not yield a fairy-tale result—she straddled a gate just 25 seconds into her slalom run and recorded a "Did Not Finish"—the performance was a massive personal victory. "Today was about the feeling, not about the results," Vlhová reflected at the finish area. "I'm happy that I could start from the gate after two years because it's been a long time without racing. I am proud of myself."[2]

The broader alpine skiing community has eagerly anticipated Vlhová’s full-time return. Her absence left a palpable void in the women's technical disciplines, where her consistency and power had provided the ultimate benchmark. Even Shiffrin, who continued to rewrite the record books during Vlhová's recovery, publicly admitted to missing their fierce battles, noting that the rivalry pushed both athletes to their absolute limits.[1][6]

Now, as the 2026-27 World Cup season approaches, the focus has shifted entirely from rehabilitation to high-performance preparation. Vlhová's current summer camp on the Stelvio Glacier is focused on rebuilding her race-day comfort and technical consistency. If her knee continues to respond well to the grueling training loads, the upcoming winter will see the highly anticipated return of one of the sport's most dominant forces.[1][4]