After five seasons with an Italian Pro Team, Czech athlete Tereza Hujerová embarks on a new chapter in her career.

With a new Pro Team and fresh goals, the skier, who never misses a race, offers advice on how to stay healthy and injury-free.

After several years with the Italian Pro Team, Team Robinson Trentino, which merged with the Czech sponsor Slavia Pojišťovna last year, Tereza Hujerová has decided to make a change and compete in the Ski Classics series under the colors of the purely Czech Pro Team, eD system RSJ Team.

Five years is a long time. Long enough for one to realize it’s time to move on. That’s exactly how Tereza Hujerová feels, one of the most consistent Czech athletes in the long-distance skiing scene.

“A lot of things came together, but simply a more interesting offer presented itself,” she says to Bezky.net and adds: “I am grateful to the Robinson Trentino team for everything we’ve experienced together and for what the international group has given me.”

A school of endurance and health

Ski Classics is not just about races. It’s a lifestyle, a test of character, and, as Tereza admits, a lesson in patience and humility.

“They taught me that our bodies can often handle more than we think, and it’s important not to give up. When we hit a crisis in a race, it doesn’t mean someone else won’t face one soon, and everything can turn around several times.”

Tereza may not shine in individual results like her Czech colleague Sandra Schützová, but she can achieve something perhaps more valuable: maintaining consistent form throughout the season and being able to surpass her competitor in the overall standings.

“I don’t have any special recipe for it, but what I do works,” she comments on her stable race participation.

According to her, the key is also sensible body management. While many athletes push themselves to the limit with classic technique, Tereza intentionally limits it between races.

“As for injuries or rather overuse, which I see more of than I would like, I feel a bit sorry for those people. I want to tell everyone that there are many other training methods besides just classic technique. Personally, I do it minimally between races and replace it with skating, for example.”

And immunity? “I’m from the Jizera Mountains, and it’s always nasty here, so I probably have good immunity after all these years,” she laughs.

Calendar changes

This season has brought several changes to the Ski Classics calendar. Tereza observes them with mixed feelings.

“Overall, I like the calendar for next season; there’s plenty of room to compete in other races, but I also see a lot of traveling involved.”

According to her, five consecutive race weekends in March were quite a lot, and she considers a block of two consecutive weekends to be optimal.

She is somewhat disappointed by the absence of classic marathons.

“Classic races like the 3Zinnen Marathon or Marcialonga Bodø are falling out, being replaced by sprints, time trials, and weekends with two shorter races. These long, traditional races are the heart of what makes Ski Classics special.”

Training changes and new goals

In training, she focuses on intensity in short doses. Her favorite workout? “Either 30/30 or 15-second sprints every other minute, which I do for 40–60 minutes. It’s an unassuming killer.”

And what does she want to focus on in her preparation? Tereza knows exactly where she loses time. “I’ve always lost at the start and then gradually caught up with everyone. I want to change that by next winter. I don’t know how yet, but staying with the main group longer than about 2km after the start would be great.”

The Czech athlete also has her own plans beyond the series. She aims to complete the Worldloppet Master title, a collection of starts in the largest long-distance ski races in the world. “I think I’m missing two or three races. The good news is that given the Ski Classics calendar, I should be able to manage both.”

Coaching and other hobbies

Since finishing school, Tereza has been coaching in a children’s cycling club.

“In the morning, I complete my training, and in the afternoon, I can focus on the kids. Their season is in summer, and mine is in winter, so they don’t overlap.” Moreover, this job has brought her closer to cycling, which has always attracted her. She dedicated a lot of this spring and summer to mountain biking. “I got quite into it.”

What about hobbies outside of sports? Hiking, nature, exploring new places, and gardening, at least theoretically.

“I can even kill a cactus, so let’s take that with a grain of salt,” she adds humorously.

Also Read: Team Slavia Pojišťovna Robinson Trentino reflects on its best season yet

For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics World Championship, visit skiclassics.com.

Are you interested in Ski Classics and long-distance skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.