Text: Kamil Novák
From an early age I went to the mountains with my parents and took up cross-country skiing. And for the last 8 years I added cross-country skiing with small-arm, as my daughters started doing biathlon. About 14 years ago, I decided to fulfil a childhood dream and do the World Loppet Ski Classics long distance series. I started with the Czech classic Jizerská 50 and then I did at least one other race every year.
Today I have 13 races in 12 countries in Europe and North America. The world’s top riders compete in these races together with hobbies like me, which is unique. Not many people get to play football with Messi, hockey with Jagr or basketball with Magic Jordan. Whereas here you’re riding with world champions and Olympic champions like Peter Northug, Thomas Alsgaard and Dario Cologna. Of course, you’re only with them at the start, then they quickly disappear over the horizon… But even so, it’s always an unforgettable experience.
Every cross-country skier in body and soul wants to complete a skiing Grand Slam – there are four races in total – the Jizerská 50, the Marcialonga in Italy, the Birkebeinerrennet in Norway and of course the biggest race in the world, the Vasa Run in Sweden. Each one is specific, the Jizerská 50 has the hardest profile, but again it is ‘only’ fifty kilometres long. The Marcialonga is 70 km long and the final extremely difficult climb to the finish in Cavalese is particularly frightening. Every village along the route has its own refreshment station, playing music bands and crowds of people line the route.
The Norwegian race has an interesting twist – you ride with a backpack of at least 3.5 kg, in honour of the little prince who was saved from death by the king’s guards by crossing the deserted Norwegian mountains. By the way, this race has the best atmosphere. Around the entire 54 km long course there are hundreds and maybe thousands of spectators who live the race, have built igloos, make barbeque, drink beer, and most importantly cheer every racer regardless of nationality.
And finally, of course, the king of long-distance runs – the 90 km long Vas run in Sweden. The start alone, when 15,800 skiers run out onto the trail at one shot of a rifle, gives every cross-country enthusiast goosebumps. In Sweden, every cross-country skier ‘has to’ do the Vasak at least once in his or her life. For example, if I meet any Scandinavians at a trade fair and mention the Vas run in passing, I am immediately ‘theirs’. The whole of Scandinavia is promised to the sport and cross-country skiing is the number one national sport there.
Over the years I have managed to become the 5.555th person in the world to complete the so-called Gold loppet – which means completing at least 10 races in ten countries on two continents. And the adrenaline rush after completing each race is truly unmatched. I firmly believe that my health will allow me to complete many more long-distance races before I retire from the sport.
