A slope in Jasná, central Slovakia, on January 20, 2024. (source: SITA)
The alpine ski racing season has ended for Olympic winner Petra Vlhová after her fall in the first round of the Saturday giant slalom race in Jasná, central Slovakia.
“I’m sorry that this important event for us turned out like this and we won’t be able to show what Petra trained for and what she wanted to show,” the skier’s manager Richard Galovič told the TASR news agency after the incident.
The skier made a mistake at the ninth gate, on an ice-covered course, and her attempt to fix it led to a serious tumble after which she remained lying on the ground near the safety fencing. The race had to be stopped for a few minutes. Treated by paramedics, she was later taken off the course on a sledge and airlifted to the military hospital in Ružomberok.
The Slovak hit her head and arm, and tore the ligaments in her right knee.
“Thank you all for the tremendous support. I will fight to return to skiing as soon as possible,” she said in a press release.
Thousands of Slovaks flocked to the sold-out event to support Vlhová, the 2021 Alpine Ski World Cup winner.
Hector wins giant slalom
The day after the race, Vlhová’s father confirmed that his daughter had left for Switzerland to consult her condition with local doctors.
The giant slalom race turned out to be difficult for other racers. One of the biggest favourites, Italian skier Federica Brignone, like Vlhová, was eliminated after just a few gates. Others were not pleased with their performance either.
Vlhová’s coach Mauro Pini didn’t blame the course for her fall.
“In Jasná, the course was icy, but the conditions were perfect. The winner of today’s giant slalom showed us how to ski on this slope,” he said on January 20.
Swedish skier Sara Hector was anointed the giant slalom queen in Jasná with a special crown.
“I had great support, maybe better than at home. I’m happy to be in Jasná,” she said, as quoted by TASR, praising fans at the ski resort. “The people were amazing, especially after I reached the finish line. Jasná is a special place.”
The American Mikaela Shiffrin came second and Alice Robinson from New Zealand ended in third place.
Shiffrin wins Jasná slalom
However, Shiffrin won the Sunday slalom race in Jasná. She had also triumphed at the Slovak ski resort in 2016 and 2021. On Sunday, Croatian skier Zrinka Ljutić finished second and the Swede Anna Swenn Larsson came third. The American thanked people for remaining at the resort and cheering the skiers despite Vlhová being absent after her injury.
“That’s the most wonderful energy,” Shiffrin said.
Vlhová has been Shiffrin's biggest rival in slalom for years. Despite this, she missed the Slovak on the course. “I like watching her ski,” Shiffrin said, adding that she also improves her performances thanks to the Slovak. She is convinced that Vlhová is a strong person and will be skiing again in no time.
The American, who won the Demänovská Caves Grand Prix at the weekend, also hopes that the race will return to the Slovak resort. She compared Jasná to the Killington ski resort in Vermont, USA.
“It’s unique in that when you go down the hill, halfway through the course there’s a big crowd of fans on the sideline,” she said, as quoted by TASR. “You hear a lot of noise and it’s something you don’t get anywhere else.”
