Petra Vlhova Targets Full World Cup Return Following Two-Year Injury Saga

For the first time in more than two years, Slovakian alpine ski star Petra Vlhova is heading into a World Cup offseason without rehabilitation dictating her every move. Celebrating her 31st birthday this week, the 2022 Olympic slalom champion has been training on Italy's Stelvio Glacier, marking a definitive step toward a full-time return for the 2026-27 season.[1][2]

The sight of Vlhova carving through summer snow is a welcome development for the sport, which has felt her absence acutely. Her journey back to the elite ranks has been one of the most closely watched injury sagas in recent alpine history, testing both her physical endurance and psychological resilience.[1][5]

Vlhova's ordeal began in January 2024 during a World Cup giant slalom at her home resort of Jasna, Slovakia. Skidding out mid-run, she crashed heavily into the safety netting, tearing both the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial cruciate ligament (MCL) in her right knee.[1][4]

The timing of the crash was particularly devastating. At that moment, Vlhova had already collected three World Cup victories that season and sat just 25 points behind her longtime rival, American superstar Mikaela Shiffrin, in the slalom standings. The injury abruptly ended what was shaping up to be another historic battle between the two generational talents.[1][4]

What was initially projected as a standard one-season recovery quickly morphed into a complex, multi-year ordeal. Vlhova returned to the snow in late 2024 for light training on the glaciers of Zermatt and Saas-Fee, but she soon suffered a severe setback. The complication required a second surgery to address cartilage damage, forcing her to restart the grueling rehabilitation process from scratch.[1][5]

The turning point finally arrived in January 2026, when Vlhova received medical clearance to resume full-intensity skiing. Despite having virtually no time to prepare, she set an ambitious goal: competing at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics just weeks later.[3][6]

Her Olympic appearance in February 2026 was brief but deeply emotional. Competing in the women's team combined event, Vlhova straddled a gate just 25 seconds into her slalom run. Yet, the result was secondary to the milestone itself. "Today was about the feeling, not about the results," she remarked at the time, expressing immense pride at simply reaching the start gate after two years of uncertainty.[3]

With the Olympic milestone behind her, Vlhova's camp has restructured for a sustained World Cup campaign. In May 2026, she announced the hiring of Austrian coach Mario Rafetzeder to lead her team. Rafetzeder, who recently guided Finnish skier Eduard Hallberg to a breakout season, was personally selected by Vlhova to introduce a refined training methodology.[2]

"I am happy that I can once again build my team and surround myself with people with whom I will fight to return to the World Cup," Vlhova stated upon Rafetzeder's hiring. Her management team emphasized that the partnership is designed to blend new techniques with the positive experiences of her previous support staff, aiming to make her fully competitive by the season opener.[2]

The broader alpine skiing community is eagerly anticipating her return. During Vlhova's extended absence, Shiffrin dominated the technical disciplines, winning nine of ten World Cup slaloms during the 2025-26 season. While a new generation of younger skiers has emerged, none have been able to consistently challenge Shiffrin the way Vlhova did.[1]

Fellow competitors, including Shiffrin, have publicly expressed how much they miss the intense battles with the Slovakian champion, noting that her presence elevates the entire field. The technical circuit has lacked the friction of their defining rivalry, and Vlhova's return promises to restore that dynamic.[1]

As Vlhova logs crucial training days on the Stelvio Glacier, the immediate goal is rebuilding snow comfort and performance consistency rather than chasing times. If her right knee responds well to the mounting load, the 2026-27 World Cup season is poised to welcome back one of the sport's fiercest competitors.[2][5]

Her journey serves as a powerful reminder of the physical toll elite alpine skiing demands, and the sheer willpower required to overcome it. For Vlhova, the next chapter is no longer about simply surviving the injury—it is about reclaiming her place at the top of the podium.[5]