{"id":16000,"date":"2024-11-06T17:47:37","date_gmt":"2024-11-06T09:47:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalecotourismnews.ebenta.store\/?p=16000"},"modified":"2024-11-06T17:47:38","modified_gmt":"2024-11-06T09:47:38","slug":"elite-sport-can-raise-awareness-of-sustainability-the-petra-vlhova-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalecotourismnews.com\/elite-sport-can-raise-awareness-of-sustainability-the-petra-vlhova-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Elite sport can raise awareness of sustainability \u2013 \u2018The Petra Vlhova Story\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
It reads like a Hollywood movie script, \u2018hometown girl skies to victory on the very slopes where she learnt to ski as a child, before going on to become the Alpine World Cup Ski champion\u2019. Well this is not fiction but the true story of Petra Vlhova, who made history by becoming the first person in Slovakia to win the overall title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having snaked to victory in the Giant Slalom at the \u2018Audi FIS Ski World Cup\u2019 competition on the slopes of the Jasna Ski Resort, in the Low Tatras Mountains of Slovakia she was well on her way to collecting the world title just a couple of weeks later. She is a super star in Slovakia, not just for her prowess on the slopes, but also for never forgetting her roots and this was most evident with her emotional victory in the Giant Slalom on Sunday 7th<\/sup> March 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As she lifted the \u2018Crystal Globe\u2019 world Championship trophy, Vlhova said to the press \u201cI won also for my country. It means a lot\u201d. She is an incredible role-model for Slovakia and fiercely proud of her Liptovsky Mikulas origins and the mountainous region of her birth which set her skiing from an early age and she has never looked back, continuing to compete at the very highest level across the world. She also stated in a recent interview \u201cIt\u2019s impossible to describe my feelings by words. Returning to Liptovsky Mikulas always warms my heart, especially after being away for a longer period. There is only one home \u2013 and for me it\u2019s Liptovsky Mikulas and the spectacular Liptov region.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whilst fans could not attend her home coming race, they were all willing her on \u2018virtually\u2019 and this also gave them an opportunity to see the magnificent setting of the Low Tatras Mountains and Jasna Ski Resort. A popular ski destination for the savvy sports traveller but not generally well-known, when compared with some of the glittering resorts of the Alps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lofty peaks of the Carpathian Mountain range, which start to rise in the westernmost part of Slovakia and reach their zenith in the High & Low Tatras, should be on everyone\u2019s bucket-list regardless of which season one decides to travel. Beyond this point, as one moves further north in Europe there are no higher peaks so the country is proud to have the unofficial title of \u2018The roof of Central Europe\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is certain is that Vlhova sets a great example, whether consciously or subconsciously, of being able to truly enjoy nature in a sustainable way and this of course prompts and promotes others to follow in her footsteps. For elite athletes the training regime never stops; in Vlhova\u2019s case when she comes home that just means she can continue to explore and admire the beauty of the \u2018Liptov Region\u2019 in so many diverse ways whilst keeping fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether travellers just come for an active break as a family, or come as an elite athlete or team, the Liptov region offers excellent conditions. Vlhova says \u201cI was biking, running and hiking a lot. Liptov has endless biking possibilities \u2013 most of the time I was biking to Ziarska Chata (mountain chalet), Svidovske Sedlo (saddle), to Cierny Vah River and water reservoir, and many times around Liptovska Mara water dam and up to Jasna. I was also running a lot, especially along my favourite forest park Haj Nicovo situated on the hill Haj on the northern edge of Liptovsky Mikulas. I was also hiking too in the High Tatras \u2013 to name a few trails, to Popradske Pleso, but I also conquered some peaks above 2,000m, such as the famous Rysy Peak as well as Slovakia\u00b4s highest and most challenging peak \u2013 the Gerlach Peak.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Petra Vlhova is a history maker in her discipline, her achievements transcend sport by also raising awareness of health, wellness and sustainability in general, but more specifically for her hometown region of Liptov, the neighbouring High Tatras and the rest of Slovakia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n