Drahovce, September 8, 2025 – The small village near Piešťany has once again put itself on Slovakia’s sporting map. Today, the modern Petra Vlhová Museum was officially opened – a unique place where sports fans can follow the journey of our skiing champion, from her childhood beginnings to her greatest achievements.
The opening ceremony had a warm and heartfelt atmosphere. On Hlavná Street 110 in Drahovce, Petra Vlhová was joined by her parents, team members, sponsors, partners, and friends. Loyal fans were also present – the very people who not only came up with the idea of the museum but also helped bring it to life. Miroslav Ledecký, who initiated the project together with Petra’s father Igor, addressed the crowd:
“Two years ago, we saw a TV documentary about Alberto Tomba, and the dedication of his fans inspired us to create this museum.”
Petra was touched and deeply grateful. She admitted that she really liked the museum and saw it as proof of the strong support she feels from her fans and loved ones.
“Thank you, Mirko, and thank you to all my fans and supporters who contributed to this. I truly appreciate it. You’ve created something unprecedented in Slovakia, something that belongs to all of you. From the bottom of my heart – thank you. I believe this place can inspire young people. It’s important for as many children as possible to do sports, and I hope that after seeing my journey documented here, some of them will try to follow in my footsteps – and I’ll always be happy to help them.”
As a gift, Petra donated her signed helmet from the Beijing Olympics, in which she won historic gold in the slalom.
Trnava region governor Jozef Viskupič jokingly remarked:
“Now the value of this museum has just doubled.”
What the Museum Offers
The exhibition is rich and diverse. One part focuses on Petra’s childhood and preparation before entering the World Cup circuit, while other sections showcase her victories at World Ski Championships and international competitions. A special Olympic section highlights her historic gold from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games.
Fans can view dozens of trophies, photographs, sports memorabilia, and stories presented in both Slovak and English. A lively corner dedicated to her fan club adds a playful touch, filled with flags, props, and colors reminiscent of the unforgettable atmosphere on the World Cup’s grandstands.
Behind the Scenes
During a private tour before the official opening, Petra revealed a very personal detail – when she looked at a large picture of Jasná, she pointed out the exact spot where she had injured her knee in January 2024. A simple image became one of the most personal memories in the whole exhibition.
There were also light-hearted moments along the way. Volunteers, while working on the museum, were fueled by Miroslav’s legendary goulash soup – a total of 180 litres were made! Some artifacts had been waiting in Igor Vlha’s place of work for years before finally being cleaned and displayed in the museum’s cases.
Proud Parents
Zuzana and Igor reminisced about unique moments in their daughter’s career as well as fun times with fans while touring the museum.
“I’m really grateful and proud that something like this has been created. It’s truly special – hats off,” said Igor, proudly wearing a new fan club T-shirt.
Meanwhile, Zuzana shared the stories behind photos from Petra’s childhood, carefully selected from family albums especially for the museum.
Gallery
