Petra Vlhová and her new coach Mario Rafetzeder coaching on the Mölltaler Glacier, credit score: Petra Vlhová
Many followers have been excited to see Petra Vlhová again within the Olympic begin gate greater than two years after the damage that led to 2 knee surgical procedures.
Now, the Slovak star is coming into one other new section in her comeback.
In keeping with the Slovak newspaper Sport and a publish on Vlhová’s Instagram web page, Mario Rafetzeder will be a part of her workforce as head coach. The 2022 Olympic slalom champion and 2020-21 total World Cup winner is coaching absolutely once more as she prepares for a return to the World Cup circuit.
“I’m completely happy that I can as soon as once more construct my workforce and encompass myself with individuals with whom I’ll struggle to return to the World Cup,” Vlhová wrote on Instagram. “I look ahead to working with everybody on my workforce, and I consider Mario is the correct chief to assist us compete once more with the very best skiers on the earth.”
Can Petra Vlhová and new coach Mario Rafetzeder lead considered one of snowboarding’s largest comebacks?
The Austrian coach, who spent the final two years working with the Fearless Finns, stated he’s keen to assist information Vlhová again to the highest stage of the game.
“I thank Ski Staff Petra Vlhová for the chance to be a part of the workforce, a workforce that has already achieved nice success,” Rafetzeder stated.
“I respect the prospect to assist Petra on her approach again to absolutely the prime of the game. There’s a number of systematic work and plenty of new alternatives forward of us. I consider that with the help of our whole workforce and the nice Slovak followers, we are able to regularly obtain these objectives collectively. Hold your fingers crossed for us.”
Why did Petra Vlhová select Mario Rafetzeder as her new coach?
Rafetzeder performed a key position in Eduard Hallberg’s breakthrough 2025-26 season, throughout which the Finnish skier earned the primary three World Cup podiums of his profession. The previous Austrian and British coach now takes on a brand new problem with considered one of alpine snowboarding’s largest stars.
Richard Galovič, supervisor of Ski Staff Vlhová, stated the group is happy in regards to the new partnership.
“By hiring the famend Austrian coach Mario Rafetzeder, now we have accomplished the development of our workforce for the 2026-27 season,” Galovič stated. “Petra personally selected the brand new head coach, and I consider he’ll convey not solely a brand new coaching methodology, but additionally a refined coaching idea that builds on the constructive experiences of the specialists who’ve labored with Petra for a few years.”
“In the intervening time, now we have agreed to a one-season partnership, however all of us consider in long-term and profitable cooperation.”
Vlhová, a two-time World Cup slalom champion and considered one of Mikaela Shiffrin’s largest rivals, now seems able to proceed her comeback after two and a half years away from World Cup racing.
Ski Racing Media needs Vlhová a profitable return to the World Cup circuit.
