Snowfall and High Winds Delay Sölden Season Opener for Petra Vlhová
Petra Vlhová’s long-awaited return to the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup faced an immediate scheduling hurdle on October 24, 2026, when adverse weather forced organizers to adjust the opening day program in Sölden, Austria. Adverse weather conditions and a large amount of new snow due to strong winds on the Rettenbach glacier forced organizers to postpone the first lunchtime program of the traditional women’s giant slalom by 30 minutes, Sportnet reported. The disruption accompanies the Slovak star back to elite competition after a two-year and nine-month absence following a severe right knee injury sustained in January 2024 at Jasná.
The 31-year-old competitor returns under the guidance of new coach Mario Rafetzeder with a more relaxed mental approach, focusing on technical disciplines this season with key highlights slated for January races in Jasná and February world championships in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Slovenian skiing legend Tina Maze closely follows World Cup developments and expressed excitement for the anticipated return of the Slovak star, while New Zealander Alice Robinson opened the season’s first race wearing bib number one, followed by local giant slalom globe winner Julia Scheib. First of all, I’m really excited. I’m happy to be here and I can’t wait,
Vlhová told STVR prior to the start.
Weather Forces Schedule Changes on Rettenbach Glacier
Course officials enacted schedule modifications after accumulating snow and high winds impacted the Rettenbach glacier surface. The opening run moved from its original slot to 10:30, while the second run shifted to 13:30, according to Pravda. Vlhová enters the field wearing bib number 18, positioned behind Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener and Germany’s Emma Aicher.
Returning to a Changed World Cup After a Long Absence
American star Mikaela Shiffrin altered her tactical approach by stepping back from a regular slalom schedule, while Swiss competitor Camille Rast emerged as a dominant force following a world championship slalom title and an Olympic silver medal in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Vlhová returns to a different reality after her nearly three-year absence, which she previously interrupted only by competing at the February Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo where she did not finish her team combination slalom with Katarína Šrobová and placed 20th in the individual slalom wearing bib number 23. Vlhová may contend with emerging names such as Lara Colturi and Emma Aicher.
FIS Protection Rules Determine Vlhová’s Bib Position
Revised International Ski Federation (FIS) rules implemented on July 1, 2026, governed how Vlhová secured her starting position, Spravodajský portál RTVS reported. Under Sölden’s giant slalom start list, Vlhová held 14th place in the WCSL standings prior to her injury layoff. Applying the updated injury-penalty protocols resulted in a protected ranking of 18, bypassing the standard open draw while placing her directly behind the elite seeded groups.
The revised regulations stipulate that athletes possessing at least 500 total WCSL points while ranking among the top 30 present competitors in the relevant discipline are placed directly behind the elite top 15 in slalom and giant slalom events. Vlhová holds 550 total WCSL points, enabling the federation to advance her directly behind the seeded fifteen.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Sölden Giant Slalom
Why was the start time changed for the Sölden giant slalom?
Organizers adjusted the schedule because heavy snowfall and strong winds hit the Rettenbach glacier, requiring course maintenance before racing could safely begin.
What bib number does Petra Vlhová wear for her return?
Vlhová starts with bib number 18 in the first run, calculated through FIS injury-penalty rules applied to her previous 14th-place standing in the WCSL giant slalom list.
Where can viewers watch the race live?
The event broadcasts live on STVR Šport, with text-based online coverage provided by Sportnet.sk.
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