The famous Norwegian Birkebeinerrennet takes place tomorrow. Sandra Schützová aims to fight for the best possible result and shares a few tips for recreational skiers.

She had to skip Jizerská50 to compete at the Olympics. She also missed Vasaloppet due to illness. After racing in Orsa Grönklitt last weekend, she had mixed feelings. An eighth-place finish would mean great success for most skiers, but for the Czech long-distance skier Sandra Schützová, it felt more like a disappointment. According to her, the performance was one of her best.

“Honestly, I was quite disappointed after the race. Yet it was probably my best race ever,” says Schützová to Bezky.net.

When analyzing the intermediate times, she discovered that in some sections, she was among the fastest skiers on the course.

“On the first climb, I lost eight seconds to Anikken Gjerde Alnæs, and seven seconds on the second. That is a really good performance in my opinion. In some sections, I was actually the fastest of everyone.”

Still, she eventually dropped to eighth place.

“Then there was a two-kilometer downhill where I lost twelve seconds. Those are exactly the moments that decide the race.”

Despite that, she remains optimistic.

“I believe that one day everything will come together – form, conditions, and equipment – and then it will be rocket fast.”

Preparation for the races has been very intense.

“Every day we tested for four hours. A lot of work was done,” she says, describing demanding days during the competitions.

Also Read: All you need to know ahead of Birkebeinerrennet Season XVII

In fighting mode this season

Despite the fatigue, her thoughts are already turning to the next big goal: the legendary Norwegian race Birkebeinerrennet.

“This year, I am really looking forward to every race, and Birken is no exception. Right now, I feel that my form is good, so I believe a strong result is possible. I have a fighting spirit, which I think is the foundation.”

Birkebeinerrennet is one of the most iconic long-distance ski races. Participants must carry a mandatory backpack weighing 3.5kg, symbolizing the historical legend of the Birkebeiner warriors who once carried a young prince across the mountains to safety.

“That backpack makes the race completely different from the others. Personally, I do not particularly enjoy racing with a backpack, but I like the story and the historical background of the race,” explains Schützová.

Read More – Birkebeinerrennet – Why carry a backpack?

She also has a very personal memory connected to the course. One of the descents still feels intense for her.

“Two days ago, I skied the descent where I tore my ACL two years ago. There was very thick fog, and honestly, it all came back to me. When you can barely see anything, it is not a very pleasant feeling,” she admits openly. She says she still respects that section.

Advice for recreational skiers

“I would definitely recommend choosing the right pace. The first climb is long, and the race will not be decided in the first kilometer,” she says.

Compared to the Czech race Jizerská50, she explains that the climb is steeper and the backpack makes it even more demanding.

Many recreational skiers also wonder whether to ski with classic technique or double poling.

“I would recommend double poling only to those who have trained it well. It is very important to try skiing with a backpack in training, especially on steeper climbs. Then people often rethink their choice.”

According to her, double poling also makes waxing easier.

“If you can double pole, it will probably be simpler than dealing with kick wax. The course goes through the mountains, and conditions change, so the wax will not work equally well everywhere.”

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)

Season XVII of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 13 events across 9 event weekends in 6 countries. 

• Event 1: December 13, 2025 – Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
• Event 2: December 14, 2025 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: January 17, 2026 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 47km
• Event 4: January 25, 2026 – Marcialonga – Moena-Cavalese, Italy, 70km
• Event 5: January 30, 2026 – Bedřichov Sprint – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 1.5km
• Event 6: February 1, 2026 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 7: March 1, 2026 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 8: March 7, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Women – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 9: March 8, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Men – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: March 14, 2026 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 53km
• Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Valnesfjord, Norway, 50km
• Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 35km
• Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km

For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, make sure to visit skiclassics.com