Ilka Stuhec

About Ilka Stuhec

Slovenian former World Cup alpine ski racer who competed in downhill and super-G, born 26 October 1990 in Slovenj Gradec (then SFR Yugoslavia); raced for SK Maribor, resident in Maribor. A three-time World Junior Champion across three disciplines (slalom and combined at the 2007 World Juniors in Flachau; downhill at the 2008 World Juniors in Formigal). Made her World Cup debut in March 2007 at age 16. Broke through with back-to-back downhill wins at Lake Louise in December 2016, followed by further wins at Val d'Isere and Cortina d'Ampezzo, then won World Championship downhill gold at St. Moritz in February 2017 and the World Cup downhill and combined discipline titles that season. Missed the entire 2017-18 season, including the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, after tearing her ACL in October 2017. Returned with consecutive downhill wins at Val Gardena in December 2018 and successfully defended her World Championship downhill title at Are in February 2019, before a further knee injury (PCL) at Crans-Montana weeks later. Competed at three Winter Olympics (2014, 2022, 2026) without a medal, and was Slovenia's flagbearer at the Beijing 2022 opening ceremony. Retired from competitive skiing on 22 March 2026 at the World Cup Finals in Lillehammer, ending a 17-season career.