Petra Vlhová is experiencing something completely different: If I continued like last year, I would all like it all – Športky.sk

BRATISLAVA – Slovak skier Petra Vlhová enjoys a freer racing program in the current season. While she scored points at all World Cup events last year, which eventually earned her the overall championship, she now focused on the Winter Olympics in Beijing and, together with coach Mauro Pini, decided to skip several races.

This has opened up new opportunities for her to train and improve, but most importantly, she also has more time for herself. “If I continued like last season, I’d be disgusted by all that,” she said.

Vlhová last started in the slaughter in Killington, where she finished second behind the home Mikaela Shiffrin at the end of November, and she will perform next week in a huge slalom in Courchevel, France, next week. She took a break at a training camp in Copper Mountain, Colorado. “We were very good in America, we were there for ten days to try the snow. It’s different than in Europe, more aggressive because it’s dry there. We wanted to train a lot and try the material. That’s why we missed the race, we had we are in good condition and we wanted to prepare well, “ during a video interview with the media.

Completely different than last season

The lawyer for the overall championship is currently at home in her home country, where she will stay until Wednesday. He then travels to Sestriere to train and moves to the French resort of Courchevel on Sunday. Compared to last year, she was able to find time for herself during the demanding season and was able to stop at home. “I really enjoyed it, it’s something completely different compared to last year. I have more time for myself, we don’t have to chase so much and immediately fly to the next one after the race. I didn’t even have time for training last year, now we have a lot of time to try new ones. I’m not so tired because travel and constant racing take a lot of energy. It’s completely different and I’m happy with it. After last season it was challenging, this suits me better because I can improve and I’ll try to show it in in the following races, ” said Vlhová, who during the camp in America focused mainly on technology and material testing. He wants to test in Sestriere before the race: “That’s why we go there on Wednesday, after all, the snow is a little different in America. We’ll see how it turns out now and what skis I’ll go on.”

Beijing’s main goal

In the coming weeks before the Olympic Games, it will have a busier program, as it will already include speed disciplines. In them she should perform in Zauchensee, apparently in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and then in Beijing. In addition to technical disciplines, he will also start in combination and super-G under five laps. And winter games are the main goal of the season: “I set myself not to go to the big globe, so now I’m not under pressure in the SP. I’m putting the most pressure on myself and I’m trying not to solve what’s around me anymore. Everything is open, we’re just at the beginning December, we are far from the Olympic Games and I will try to keep that form and to culminate in February. But it is still open, it is far away, it will be one day, “ stated.

In addition to sports, Vlhová also focuses on mental training, which is just as important for her: “I think it’s very important in sports. When you’re at the top, people take it for granted that you still have to win. Well, we’re just people too. If I continue like last season, I’ll be all disgusted. “It is necessary to find a balance between races, trainings, it is important for me to feel good and then I can give good performances.”

At Christmas again in Italy

Vlhová also manages to enjoy the Christmas holidays, she will spend them with her family and friends, but just like last year in Italy: “It’s easier for me to be abroad. We will be with my family and a friend who comes to see me. I will also be able to prepare and train and it is ideal for me. I didn’t have much time at home, I’m still a little worried about the time lag, but my mother and I baked yesterday and I’ll decorate the tree in Italy. So I’ll catch up and look forward to it. “

• The author: © List
• Source: TASR