Vlhová takes care of many things herself. It’s not so wild anymore – PRAVDA.sk

Excellent results and fear of a virus that kills around the world. Petra Vlhová performs exceptional performances in demanding conditions.

Photo: TASR, Martin Baumann

Petra Vlhová in the 1st round of slalom in Zagreb.

She has started nine times in the current year of the Alpine Ski World Cup. The worst was fifth, standing on the podium in seven cases. And all this during a fight with an unequal opponent.

“We are cautious. The coronavirus can play an ugly game with us, “one of the coaches of the Slovak skier, Matej Gemza (44), is aware.

Read more The chances of defeating Peter are slim, says Shiffrin. I am not a machine, contradicts Vlhová

You ended the old year with a victory, you opened the new one as well. What is the mood in the team?

We cannot complain for years. We are very good in terms of performance and results. We are looking forward.

You scored 180 points in Lienz. Did the second place in the balanced giant slalom enjoy it?

Verily, this season is extremely tight. There are regulars – Peta, Mikaela Shiffrin, Lara Gut-Behrami, Michelle Gisin, Tessa Worley and also strong Italians Federica Brignone with Marta Bassin. After weaker seasons, the Swede Sara Hector flew. Any grandma can win or be on stage. No one stands out or lags.

Out of five slaloms, Vlhová won four times, once she was second. Does it have a life form?

It performs very consistent performances, so this may seem like it. Except for one ride in Killington, she really didn’t miss it. If he minimizes hesitation and goes his standard, he is ahead. So far, only Shiffrin can bother her.

Do you think that the internal pressure in the second rounds, in which they usually defend the lead from the first rides, also manages better?

Yes, sometimes she built a small lead in the first rounds, but it was not a significant difference. Then he can’t afford to go freely in the second round. Even with a 95 percent ride, she is a leader after the first race. Keeping your head cool is very challenging because your opponents are attacking in the second round.

Was this also the case in the first round in Zagreb?

We wanted to make the most of starting position number one. It was a small advantage. We later stated that third to fifth positions would be better. At that time, the track was cleaner, Petra seemed to sweep it away. She walked on the dirty snow. After the elite seven, it started to break.

What were the instructions for Vlhová at the beginning of the second round, where she had to deal with a hole in front of one of the gates?

We are there to help her. This is a training robot. We had time until 29 competitors crossed the finish line. We advised her which track to choose. She listened and it came out now in Zagreb and also in previous races in Courchevel and Lienz.

Do you remember that the World Cup races would take place on a track full of leaves?

We already had trainings like that, but not the races. Zagreb is specific because the track is in a deciduous forest. Strong wind blew leaves everywhere.

It was specific. In addition, it was warm, eight degrees Celsius. However, everything remained within the rules. Such races can also happen. We will have special memories.

Vlhová admits that she is more mentally well. Is it one of the decisive factors in a successful campaign in the current year?

I have said many times that it is a summary of several aspects and the situation in which he is. Physical and mental readiness, sports and personal well-being. In addition, it is maturing. She can take care of a lot of things on her own and it’s not so wild anymore. Therefore, it has excellent results.

Read more Vlhová is the third Queen of Snow! In Zagreb, she proved what no one before her

Is it harder to keep a cool head even when the coronavirus situation around you is getting worse?

There are many cases of morbidity, this is evidenced by something. A hermetically sealed bubble is not possible. Basically, you just have to be lucky to be bypassed by the virus.

We also try to avoid big meetings with others. Contagion is high in the World Cup. I’m not saying it’s a lottery, but even if we follow the ground rules, we can catch the coronavirus. It is a very challenging period.

Have you taken special steps to close the bubble in your team even more?

Not really. We especially avoid indoor events and contact with members of other teams. We just have to believe that it will bypass us because it is a disaster.

You can be completely innocent and you still pay tax. Each body reacts differently. Shiffrin has returned, Gut-Behrami has been out considerably longer. The virus can play a bad game with us.

What do you want to do before the weekend giant and classic slalom in Kranjska Gora?

On Wednesday we moved to Bled, from where we will go to trainings. On Thursday we were in Tarvisio, which is on the Slovenian-Italian border. It is currently pouring in Slovenia. I wonder what it will be.

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We have information that it is similar on the slope. Training will probably not be fantastic, but we have to do it. We will not be discouraged. The other days we spent in slalom training, so we started by tuning the form to the giant. Saturday will probably be a day off. We will go to see the ski slope in Kranjska Gora and see what it looks like there.

What do you expect from the race?

That we will join the fight for the highest places. We would like to be on the podium in both competitions.

Is it true that after the Kranjska Gora you also complete the January stops in the speed disciplines in Zauchensee, Cortina d’Ampezzo and Garmisch-Partenkirchen?

We want to graduate Zauchensee. However, it is difficult now to say exactly which two of these three events we will prefer. They may cancel and the situation will change.

Are you planning to take a short break and train more before the February Olympics in Beijing?

Exactly. We have to go fast. We would like to go sliding disciplines at the Olympics and also prepare for the alpine combination.

There is a month left until the Olympics. Are you talking about her?

This word is not taboo, but we are not exaggerating. There is still plenty of time for Beijing. We are dealing with technical issues towards Beijing rather than ambitions. What and how to send, deal with material security, arrivals or departures. There will still be time for the others.

Petra Vlhová and her program in the season 2021/22

Overall World Cup standings (after 17 of 37 competitions): 1. Shiffrin (USA) 830 points, 2. VLHOVÁ (SR) 715, 3. Goggio (ITA) 657, 4. Hector (Sweden) 442, 5. Brignone (ITA) 407, 6. Gisinová (Švaj.) .) 359

Slalom standings (5 of 9): 1. VLHOVÁ 480 b., 2. Shiffrinová 340, 3. Liensbergerová (AUT) 262, 4. Holdenerová (Švaj.) 241, 5. Dürrová (Nem.) 202, 6. Gisinová 187

The order in FIG. slalom (after 4 of 9 races): 1. Shiffrin 280, 2. Hector 262, 3. VLHOVÁ 235, 4. Worley 227, 5. Siebenhofer 118, 6. Mowinckelová 110

Super-G ranking (after 4 of 9 competitions): 1. Goggio 320, 2. Brignone 227, 3. Curtonio 216, 4. Shiffrin 205, 5. Gutova-Behramio 180, 6. Mowinckelova 158

Downhill standings (after 3 of 9 races): 1. Goggio 300, 2. Johnson 240, 3. Puchnerova 152, 4. Suterova 145, 5. Siebenhoferova 124, 6. Delagova 112

Order of parallel competitions (1): 1. Slokarová 100, 2. Stjernesundová 80, 3. Lysdahlová 60, 4. Bassinová (ITA) 50, 5. Hectorová 45, 6. Monsenová (NOR) 40