Petra Vlhová’s assistant coach Matej Gemza is not allowed to stand on the slope

Assistant coach MATEJ GEMZA has no idea why the first triumph came only in Flachau

The stable members of Vlha’s team, which undoubtedly includes Matej Gemza, could almost forget what it’s like to win a race in the World Cup. The last time they enjoyed it was in the giant slalom in March 2022 in Aare. In slalom even earlier – in January of the same year in Kranjska Gora.

“Victory did not come easily. You know, we didn’t look forward to it for a long time and now it’s here. We are happy, probably nothing else can be said. We’re enjoying it,” stated Gemza for Slovak journalists at the finish line in Flachau.

THE MYSTERY OF VICTORY

Gemza also offered his opinion on Petra’s performance in both rounds. “The first one was difficult, it was built by Mauro. He wanted to make it in such a way that there would be a sieve in it, or a distance between the female competitors, and he succeeded. The second round was a bit easier, but still quite a few girls dropped out. Peta, Mikaela Shiffrinová and Lena Dürrová confirmed that they are the top slalom skiers this season, respectively in the last two winters.

Only head coach Mauro Pini from the coaching staff in Flachau encouraged Vlhová from the track. Matej Gemza made an exception this time, which he does regularly in this World Cup destination.

“I watched Peta from my classic place in Flachau, because I can’t stand on the track on this slope. If I stand on it, it won’t work. So I’m standing just behind the finish line and it’s confirmed that it came out again,” smiled the 45-year-old native of Kežmark, who had no idea why the victory came only in Flachau.

“I do not know. It just came now, but no one knows exactly what it was. The routine is done roughly the same way. Maybe it froze a little more and that helped her. She got a good grip on this snow.’

HOPEFULLY THE FEET WILL BE LIGHTER

Matej Gemza was with Petra Vlhová in the same position as he is now in 2019 and 2020, when the victory joy of the whole team erupted also in Flachau. “These victories cannot be compared. Each year is different, each year is specific.” Vlhová faced pressure from the absence of a victory in the current winter, as the fans were already looking forward to it. “I believe that Peta’s legs will be lighter now and that she will be more fluid on them and therefore faster,” Gemza hopes.

At the beginning of the season, some fans felt that Vlhová did not enjoy skiing. She herself admitted that the beginning of the year was very difficult for her, but she managed to overcome the crisis. Matej Gemza perceives it the same way. “I think everyone has some tough times. Peta fought hard to overcome them and succeeded. She showed us that she still enjoys skiing, that she knows how to win and that she brings us happiness.”