"Slovakian alpine ski racer Petra Vlhová has confirmed she will attempt a return to the Olympic stage at the 2026 Winter Games, sharing the update in a video message posted to her social media channels after being cleared to ski at full intensity. "I have an important update regarding my health and the future of my career," Vlhová said. "I have just completed a medical check-up and, based on the results, my medical team and the physiotherapists have cleared me for full skiing intensity." The comeback announcement follows what the Olympic slalom champion described as "two challenging years" dealing with injury setbacks. "This is truly wonderful news for me," she said."
"Vlhová's comeback attempt follows a devastating injury sustained in January 2024 at Jasná, Slovakia, when the Slovakian technical specialist skidded out mid-run during the giant slalom and was launched into the B-nets. Vlhová tore both the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial cruciate ligament (MCL) in her right knee, an accident that ended her season prematurely. At the time of the crash, she was just 25 points behind longtime rival Mikaela Shiffrin in the World Cup slalom standings, cutting short yet another chapter in one of alpine skiing's defining rivalries. The last two seasons without the Slovakian have not been the same, and Shiffrin admitted to missing her fiercest competitors at several races. "We're missing somebody really big today, we missed Petra a lot... I've grown to love the battles with her. I think today she would have been so strong. So I really miss watching her ski today and having that battle," she said after one of the slalom races last season."
Petra Vlhová received medical clearance to resume full-intensity skiing after completing a medical check-up and rehabilitation. Vlhová suffered a major knee injury in January 2024 at Jasná, tearing both the ACL and MCL in her right knee and ending her season. The injury occurred while she was 25 points behind Mikaela Shiffrin in the World Cup slalom standings. The absence has affected the competitive landscape and prompted public comments from rivals about missing her presence. With limited time before the Milano-Cortina Games, the 29-year-old has decided to pursue a comeback and Olympic selection for 2026.
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