Jiři Pliska has been around Ski Classics for over a decade. At 41, the Czech Pro Tour athlete shows no signs of slowing down and remains a prominent face of the eD System Silvini Team. ProXCskiing.com recently caught up with Pliska to get his thoughts on Ski Classics Season XIV and his plans for the future. 

Pliska has been racing in the Ski Classics circuit since 2012, when he finished 51st in his home country’s Pro Tour event, Jizerská50. Despite facing setbacks during the recent season, Jiři remains motivated and dedicated to the sport.

When asked to evaluate his season, Pliska admits that it was challenging.

“This season was pretty bad for me. At La Venosta, I injured my back and became ill with some respiratory illness which held me back for about two months. At Jizerská50, I only started because it’s my home race. After that, it improved, and I could enjoy racing, but still, I was out of shape.”

The Czech Pro Tour athlete highlights the last two Pro Tour events as the best moments of his season.

“Last two races up north were my best experience this season. Hard courses, perfect conditions, nice weather, and nice and tough racing.”

Illness was the biggest challenge for Pliska during the season:

“Managing illness was the hardest for me. When I started to feel better and begin training, I felt ill again,” he explains.

Looking ahead to the summer and Ski Classics Season XV, the Pro Tour athlete remains focused on improving and reaching his goals.

“Failure motivates me. I’m looking forward to some good training and climbing trips in summer, and I hope to get to good form for next season.”

Since rollerski season is just around the corner, Jiři also shares his favorite training session, saying:

“I really like going on rollerskis around Jablonec n. N. in the Jizera mountains and Czech Paradise. My favorite is longer sessions, about 3 – 4 hours, with hills which can be at a threshold pace.”

Finally, Jiři Pliska invites our readers, fans, and recreational and Pro Tour athletes to join the eD System Silvini Team for their 55km rollerski race, Lipnoloppet, a Ski Classics Challengers event, in the beautiful Šumava mountains in October.

“It will be nice to see more international elite and recreational skiers here. Save the date of October 7, 2023.”

You can find more information about Lipnolopet here and here.

Here you can find Jiři Pliska’s Ski Classics results.

The Season XIV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consisted of 14 events on 10 event weekends in 6 different countries. 

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV (2022/2023)

• Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
• Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
• Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 36km 
• Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
• Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 32km
• Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 48km 
• Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 12km
• Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
• Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 68km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour you can find at skiclassics.com.