Petra Vlhová Returns To The Slopes With New Coach After Knee Surgery

Slovak alpine skiing star Petra Vlhová is making her long-awaited return to competition after a challenging recovery from knee surgery earlier this year. The 2022 Olympic gold medalist in slalom is set to kick off the new season with renewed determination—and a fresh face in her coaching team.

The journey back has been arduous for the 29-year-old World Cup overall winner. Vlhová’s season came to an abrupt end in January 2024 when she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL). What followed were multiple surgeries and an emotionally taxing rehabilitation process marked by uncertainty, including subsequent setbacks involving cartilage damage.

For many months, Vlhová’s focus was purely on regaining functional mobility, replacing the high-intensity training with hours of physical therapy. She first returned to snow in August 2024 for light free-skiing, but continued discomfort ultimately forced her to miss the entire 2024/2025 World Cup season and the World Championships.

Now, with a medical green light secured, Vlhová has relocated to the Stelvio glacier in Italy to resume gate training, signaling the end of her toughest challenge yet.

The comeback also signals a new era for her team. Matej Gemza, a longtime member of the Niké Ski Team Vlhová, has officially taken over the head coaching duties. Gemza is deeply familiar with Vlhová’s career, having been part of the core team throughout her historic rise, including her 2021 overall Crystal Globe victory and her 2022 Olympic gold medal in Beijing. This internal transition provides a layer of continuity and trust as Vlhová navigates the demands of returning to elite form.

“I’m excited to be back on the snow,” Vlhová said in a statement. “The past months have tested me physically and mentally, but I’ve grown stronger. With Matej by my side, I feel ready to take on the challenges ahead.”

The duo has already begun training in the Austrian Alps, focusing on technical refinement and building momentum ahead of the season opener in Sölden later this month. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Vlhová adapts to her new coaching dynamic and whether she can reclaim her place among the sport’s elite.

With resilience, fresh leadership, and a hunger to compete, Petra Vlhová’s comeback promises to be one of the most compelling storylines of the alpine skiing season.