The winter season is approaching fast, and Czech cross-country skiing fans have plenty to look forward to. Which young athletes could make headlines this year?

Let’s meet five of the most promising names on the Czech scene — three women and two men — who have already shown great potential and valuable international experience.

Of course, there are many other talented Czech skiers worth watching, but here are the top 5 prospects to follow in the 2025/2026 winter season, according to Bezky.net.

Kateřina Dušková

The 19-year-old skier was born on February 4, 2006, in Jablonec nad Nisou.

Initially inspired by biathlon star Gabriela Soukalová, she joined a ski club to learn the basics — and quickly fell in love with cross-country skiing instead.

Now in her final year as a junior, Dušková is regarded as one of the country’s top multisport talents, excelling not only on snow but also in cycling.

In 2024, she finished 5th in the freestyle sprint and 11th in the 7.5km classic at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in South Korea. At home, she’s already an 18-time Czech national champion in cross-country skiing (2022–2025).

She also achieved exceptional results in mountain biking — crowned European Champion in the U17 Eliminator discipline in 2022 and a two-time bronze medalist at the Czech Junior Championships (2023 and 2024).

With her combination of endurance, power, and competitive mindset, Kateřina Dušková has every chance to become one of the key names in Czech cross-country skiing in the coming years — if she doesn’t entirely switch to cycling first.

Anna Marie Jaklová

Born on December 5, 2005, Anna has an international background. The daughter of Czech parents who emigrated to Canada, she has lived in Canada, the USA, Australia, and the Czech Republic.

Last year, she returned home to train, while her parents remained in Canada. Fluent in English, Czech, and French, she brings a cosmopolitan touch to the Czech team.

Last season, Jaklová made her World Cup debut, becoming the youngest athlete on the start line. At the 2024 Junior World Championships, she placed 8th in the classic sprint and 16th in the 20km classic.

She also made her Senior World Championships debut in Trondheim 2025, finishing an impressive 23rd in the 10km classic — confirming her strength in traditional technique and versatility across distances.

Anna Milerská

Turning 20 this October (born October 23, 2005), Milerská hails from Třinec — not a typical cross-country skiing region. She first tried ski jumping, then Nordic combined, before finding her passion purely in cross-country skiing with Fenix Ski Team Jeseník.

Milerská was part of the bronze-medal mixed relay team at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) and impressed in the FESA Cup with a 3rd place in the classic pursuit.

This season, she’ll move up to the U23 category, aiming for strong performances at the U23 World Championships — and possibly an outside shot at the Olympics.

Jiří Tuž

Born November 23, 2004, in Frýdlant, Tuž was introduced to sports by his father, who was involved in various sports such as swimming, triathlon, running, and skiing. At 13, Jiří chose to focus solely on cross-country skiing.

Starting his career at the Jablonec and Nisou Ski Club, he later joined TJ Dukla Liberec and now trains under national head coach Jan Franc.

Tuž claimed silver at the 2022 European Youth Olympic Festival in Vuokatti (7.5km classic) and has already represented Czechia three times at Junior Worlds.

His rise accelerated in 2024 — 4th in the U23 World Championships classic sprint, 5th in the World Cup classic sprint in Falun, and 7th in the team sprint at the World Championships in Trondheim 2025, together with Michal Novák.

Also Read – Jiří Tuž: A rising star with ambitious goals

Matyáš Bauer

Born April 12, 2004, in Ostrov, and raised in Boží Dar, Matyáš is the son of Czech skiing legend Lukáš Bauer and former national team skier Kateřina Balatková.

After balancing skiing and football, Matyáš eventually followed in his parents’ footsteps.

He placed 10th in the 7.5km classic at the 2022 Junior World Championships in Vuokatti and has been part of the senior national team since 2024.

Bauer made his World Cup debut in Ruka, finishing 44th in the 10km classic, and later earned silver in the Alpen Cup classic sprint in Oberwiesenthal. At the 2025 World Championships in Trondheim, he placed 30th in the 10km classic — another step forward in his development.

With his family background, dedication, and growing international experience, Matyáš Bauer seems ready to carry the famous name into the next generation.

Read More: Matyáš Bauer: “My dad is my biggest inspiration”

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