A fairy tale in a depressing place. Vlhová is fast and smiling – PRAVDA.sk

A last-minute change of program is usually a budget cut for alpine skiers. Last year, however, it came in handy for Petra Vlhová.

Photo: SITA / AP, Jussi Nukari

The third to the collection. Petra Vlhová has another reindeer from Levi.

After the start in Sölden – third place in the giant slalom is her historically best result in the first races of the season – they moved the parallel giant slalom in Lech by two weeks. That is, after two slaloms in Levi.

It was in Finland that Vlhová prepared for three weeks, with the proviso that she would only bounce back to compete in Lech for a short time. In the end, however, she stayed 170 kilometers behind the Arctic Circle and had the best weekend of her career.

Will she do something similar today and tomorrow, when there are two slaloms on the program (the first rounds start at 10.30, the second at 13.30)?

“Many times we watched videos from last year’s victories. We do it often. We tried to gain experience from last year. That’s when it came out.

We’ll see what happens over the weekend. I’m 100 percent ready. After last year, the ambitions are very high, “reports Vlhová before the start of the slalom season.

Levi’s most successful

The advocate of a large crystal globe remained faithful to the successful rope recipe this year as well. Long depressive days with a boring scenario brought her two hundred points. From the hotel to the hill, from the slope to the room and so on and around it several times a day.

In addition, in a place where it looks fairy because of the ice, the reindeer and Santa Claus, who gives out the top three, he looks fabulous. But the truth is elsewhere, far from ideal. Most of the day it is dark and foggy.

“I have been here since October 31, and I would count the number of days I saw the sun on the fingers of one hand. The sun shines here from ten to three in the afternoon.

Read more Vlhová is 100% ready for Levi. I was not slow in training …

It’s mentally demanding. I wouldn’t go here on vacation. I’m in Levi because of skiing. I can’t wait to go home, “he continues.

Twenty-six-year-old Liptáček is doing great in the northernmost center of the Women’s World Cup. Nowhere in the elite series has she achieved such results – three victories (the first four years ago) and one second (2018) and third place (2016).

“There is not much to be done here. When I had a day off, I went to see the reindeer I had won. They are nice animals. I was mostly skiing. In training we rode with Norwegians, Germans, Italians and Maťa Dubovská from the Czech Republic. I was not slow, “he suggests.

The omitted Lech does not regret it

The decision to skip last week’s parallel giant slalom in Lech does not regret it. Last season, such a thing under Livio Magoni’s leadership would have been unacceptable. As the new charge of Mauro Pini, she has other priorities. For example, bring back the smile and joy of skiing.

“I’m happier,” Vlhová adds after a serious personnel change.

However, satisfaction sleeps, it does not keep a person alert. In addition, the competition has intensified, slalom will hardly be only about two favorites – Petra Vlhová and Mikaele Shiffrinová.

Katharina Liensberger would like to defend a small globe. Michelle Gisin would like to last the whole season. Wendy Holdener should also be considered.

Anna Swenn-Larsson returns to the carousel after a serious injury. The winner from Lech, Andreja Slokarová, may also surprise. The first two slaloms out of nine will tell you who belongs where. Including Vlhova.

“I do not regret that I did not go to Lech. We focused on training and preferred not to travel. I believe that we have made the right decision and I will attack the highest places in Levi.

I would be happy if I said on Sunday that I put everything into it. Then I will be satisfied, “concludes the smiling Vlhová.

He will be selected second on the track of the first round, we watch him live.