Vlhová wants to win. Training with Shiffrin or Magoni’s ward did not take place – Winter sports – Sport

Nowhere else does it have such great balance as in Levi. The Finnish center fits Petra Vlhová (27) like a glove.

Two slalom races await the Slovakian skier on Saturday (the first run is scheduled for 10:00, the second at 1:00) and Sunday (10:15 and 13:15).

She was preparing for the first race of the 2022/23 World Cup women’s alpine skiing season with several competitors, except her biggest rivals: American Mikaela Shiffrin and Austrian Katharina Liensberger, former pupil of coach Vlhova Livio Magoni.

“I feel good, the speed is there. The race is completely different, but I’m riding well. It’s about not making any mistakes, being 100% and winning both rounds,” he told the media in a video interview on Thursday .

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How did you spend your time waiting for the first race of the season?

We arrived in Levi in ​​early November. We trained mainly for slalom and for two or three days we also trained for slalom, but the conditions for his training are not ideal.

It was hot at first, now it’s really cold. Today it was minus 25 degrees Celsius. I can’t wait for the race to come. The wait was too long.

You can’t train for six months without competing. I want to have competitive adrenaline in my body.

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You will not open the season with a giant slalom in Sölden, but with a slalom in Levi. Is it an advantage?

It has its pros and cons. I can’t wait, like every race. I have a different position than in the giant slalom.

I feel the pressure, but it suits me. I’m the favorite to win. I’ve had success here in the past, I’ve triumphed several times. All eyes are on me. I don’t want to take it as binding.

Did you also train with the competitors?

Yes. We have driven with different countries. Almost everyone has come here. With me were German, Finnish, Slovenian, Croatian and Norwegian women. I didn’t cycle, I think, only with Austrians and Americans, and therefore not with Mikaela.

What did the training parameters show?

I feel good, the speed is there. The race is completely different, but I’m riding well. It’s about making no mistakes, being 100% and winning both rounds.

I like the hill here. I don’t have a special explanation why this is the case. Had I known, I would have done it on other hills, not just Levi. (smiles) The track profile suits me, it probably will. I want to win. However, sometimes it is more successful, sometimes less.

You also saw the Northern Lights. How did you like it?

You must be lucky for her. It’s beautiful and amazing. I also saw red for the first time, it’s usually green.

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The winner gets a reindeer which he must name. You are already five years old, haven’t you run out of inspiration?

My mother Zuzana is not there yet, so I have the name, but not the second. It would be nice if I named the reindeer after my mother. I don’t care much about it anyway.

Which female competitors will chase you the most on the slopes?

Again, it will be similar to last year. Someone may run out and surprise. The first race is unpredictable.

In a week, slalom and giant slalom will be held in Killington, USA. Thinking of beating Shiffrin at home?

I want to beat her, but everything is open. I’m not thinking about it yet. First two slaloms in Levi, then off to Killington.