Slovakia’s Olympic slalom champion Petra Vlhova said watching Saturday’s event at the World Ski Championships was bitter-sweet as a drawn-out knee injury ruled her out.
The 29-year-old has been sidelined since tearing a knee ligament during a World Cup giant slalom on January 20, 2024.
“It’s a bit of a different feeling because I would like to watch from another place,” she told Czech TV in Saalbach.
“It’s different but it’s fun because I’m here at the finish and I don’t have anything to lose.
“Of course I’m with the girls because I know what it’s about and I know them and I know what they’re going through,” Vlhova added as Switzerland’s Camille Rast took the honours in Austria.
Vlhova, who won the Olympic slalom gold at Beijing 2022, has six medals from world championships including a giant slalom title from Are 2019.
Her long-time rival Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States finished fifth on Saturday.
“I miss skiing a lot. I miss being at the start and doing what I love doing, but I know what the reality is,” Vlhova said.
“We’re fighting and trying hard and that’s all I will say,” she added.
Vlhova announced she would not compete in Saalbach after cartilage problems had slowed her rehabilitation.
She refused to speculate on her return only saying she was “feeling well”.
“Mentally it’s up and down, I won’t tell any lies, because although I’m smiling, there are days when I’m really, really down.
“It’s not always about happiness and smiling… but on the whole I’m fine. I’m trying.”
