Šárka Strachová: Petra Vlhová is one step ahead of Mikaela Shiffrinová SPORTNET – SME.sk

BRATISLAVA. While Petra Vlhová repeated her two slalom triumphs a year ago in Levi, Finland, another originally from Liptáček, but with the Czech flag behind her, Martina Dubovská placed sixth in the sixth place.

Statisticians have noticed that this is the best placement of a Czech slalom racer since March 2017, when Šárka Strachová finished second in the American Squaw Valley and ended her career shortly thereafter.

“I experienced it a lot with her. Maybe also because I know what it’s like to stand at the start of a race. How many times have I said it’s nothing, but it’s not that simple.

Even in the case of Martina Dubovská, it is often about what her head will allow, “stated Šárka Strachová (for free Záhrobská) to the address of a Slovak woman with a Czech passport in an interview on the web iDnes.cz.

Strachová: Vlhová seems confident

Veronika Velez-Zuzul, a former big rival, enjoyed the race in Levi for the first time as a television co-commentator. And she praised the 29-year-old Dubovská, who in the thirteenth and sixth place scored 60 points in the evaluation of the World Championships in slalom, where she is currently in ninth place.

“I liked how calm her ride on the slope looks. She doesn’t have any major problems, she doesn’t make mistakes, she doesn’t look like. clean head.

After the thirteenth place, I wrote her that she is one of the best, but on Sunday let her add more risk to her rides. And after the sixth place, I added that she showed that she has what it takes, “Strachová evaluated Dubovská’s actions in Levi.

The holder of the medal set from the World Championships and the bronze medalist from the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver has no doubt that Petra Vlhová and Mikaela Shiffrinová will rule the world women’s slalom. Why is that so?

“Mikaela has always been extremely stable, she has excellent technique and mental resilience. Petra has gradually reached her level and is now one step ahead of her. It is questionable how much Mikaela is affected by back pain.

However, Petra now looks confident, showing four perfect rides over the weekend. In addition, they are both athletes who know how to mentally stop when they lead after the first round, “said Strachová.

Vlh’s change of coach succeeded

The former world slalom skier also commented on Petra Vlhová’s often publicized work breakup with Livio Magoni and the engagement of the new coach Mauro Pini.

“It’s still about the team and Petra probably didn’t have it with Livio. They’ve been together for a long time. And even though they’ve achieved great results, after four years it’s always good to refresh and change the team. Otherwise, its members may cycles.

New ideas and insights bring new energy to the training. Some things can’t be done the same for ten years, “thought the winner of two World Cup races and the holder of 17 podium places.

Strachová added to Dubovská’s address and its possible shift in the future:

“She definitely has to drive regularly in the Top 10. And when you finish steadily around seventh place, you find your day and some opponents make mistakes, you can attack somewhere up to fourth place.

Vlhová, Shiffrin, Holdener or Swenn Larsson are still a few steps ahead of Dubovská. However, each of them can make a mistake, which often happens in slalom. “