BRATISLAVA. Slovak skier Petra Vlhová she did not show up at the last stop before the World Cup in France in the best form. She seemed stiff, elaborate and lacked lightness.
She even finished thirteenth in Sunday’s slalom race in Špindlerův Mlýn, which is her worst slalom result in a race she has completed since 2016 (eighteenth in St. Moritz).
“You can see from her expression that she has been struggling for the last few days. It is still among the best ski boots. The top four is a top level that few people dream of,” Eva Kurfürstová, a Czech expert from the Eurosport television station, told Sportnet.
Other skiers also overtook her
It is already certain that the Slovak will not defend the small globe for slalom. Her rival Mikaela Shiffrinová, who is currently skiing the best in her career, secured it ahead of time.
Before the final two races, the American has an unattainable 255-point lead over Holdenerová and Vlhová.
“Petra chased Mikaela and beat her. She believed that this would continue to be the case and longed for victories. When they didn’t come, or only one came, he suffers psychologically. She doesn’t want to be fourth.
I can see in her that she is angry inside. The fact that the American woman is really almost unbeatable now also contributes to this. She herself said that she is difficult to compete with.
Before, it was only a fight between Petra and Mikaela. Now other girls are getting ahead of the Slovak, and every time it’s someone else,” analyzed Kurfürstová.
Vlhová stated several times that she can rely on her team, thanks to which she was able to return to first place in Flachau. However, she did not follow up on her success in Austria.
