Last season, the Czech Pro Team athlete tried to break into the top ranks but always seemed to be missing something. Last weekend, however, she delivered her best career result, and this winter she could become a contender for podium finishes. What lies behind her improved performances, and what are her plans?

Sandra Schützová achieved a personal best on Sunday at the Bad Gastein Criterium, finishing fifth in Ski Classics. Until now, her best results had been two eighth places, at the Jizerská50 in February and at Marcialonga Bodø a month later.

Already during summer preparation, she sensed progress in her performance.

“During the summer, I could see that we were heading in the right direction. I’m really happy that I managed to transfer that onto skis. I believe that once I get a bit more racing in my legs, I’ll be able to fight for even better positions,” says the Czech skier, who is already looking forward to her next Ski Classics starts, adding with satisfaction: “I’m honestly really happy that I managed to grab my Ski Classics start with both hands, so to speak.”

After the race, she praised her skis. A podium finish was not far away, and the athlete from Jilemnice is now considering where she might still find areas for improvement to help her achieve an even better result next time.

“I think I could make progress in the technical parts. That’s where I feel there’s the biggest room for improvement. Otherwise, once I get more races in, I think I’ll be even closer, and maybe it will click somewhere,” Schützová tells Bezky.net.

Although it was the first race and the season will really get going after the New Year, such a career-best result just outside the podium deserves at least a small celebration.

“Unfortunately, there was no celebration. Overall, it was a successful day for our team, but the guys were in a hurry to catch a flight, and I was looking for accommodation so I could stay in Gastein. I have more races coming up before Christmas, so I’ll save the celebration for the holidays,” Schützová explains.

The skier, who represents the Norwegian Pro Team, Kaffebryggeriet DRIV, is an experienced athlete and no longer a newcomer to Ski Classics. She has also trained with the same coach, Martin Vrabec, for many seasons. It is therefore notable that she has taken another step closer to the world’s elite this year. How did she manage that at her age?

“I’d say it’s probably a combination of several things coming together at once. First of all, I wasn’t seriously ill or injured, unlike last year’s preparation. That meant I could complete almost everything that was planned. I also attended two training camps with my club, ČKS SKI Jilemnice, which I think gave me a real boost. It’s simply a different energy when you train with young guys. We also included more classic and skating in training, including interval sessions. And then there’s what I picked up from the Norwegian guys, their calmness. Back home in the Czech Republic, there’s always something being discussed, invented, reconsidered, which ends up taking away focus and energy.”

Sandra will not be putting her feet up before Christmas either. She faces a second selection weekend in the FESA Cup, where she aims to secure a place at the Olympic Games. Her first opportunity went exceptionally well, as she even won the classic race at the FESA Cup in Slovenia some days ago.

“On Friday, I’ll race the freestyle sprint, and on Saturday, the 10km classic.”

Also Read – FESA Continental Cup: Results from the Sprint in St. Ulrich

As for preparation for the upcoming races, plans are not yet finalized.

“Unfortunately, there’s no skiing possible anywhere in the Czech Republic right now, and I don’t want to spend 14 days without snow. So, after the weekend, I’ll probably sit down with my coach and decide how to handle the situation. At the beginning of January, we’re heading to a training camp in St. Moritz with the team, where we’ll stay until La Diagonela,” she explains.

After the New Year, Ski Classics will go into full swing, with long and demanding races ahead. The Bad Gastein Criterium was the shortest mass start race of the entire season.

Does Sandra feel confident about achieving strong results over longer distances as well?

“I haven’t had any problems with longer races in previous years, so I’m not worried about that at all,” she says confidently.

Asked whether she is targeting any specific races, Schützová replies:

“I’ve kind of always had it in me that I want to focus on Jizerská and Vasaloppet. Those two races have grown closest to my heart.”

She would like to qualify for the Czech team and represent her country at the Winter Olympic Games in February. The results suggest that a nomination should not pass by. Would that change her training approach?

“There would definitely be some changes. But that’s why I have a coach, so I try not to interfere too much. We’ll talk it through if I feel a strong desire to do something differently,” she says with a laugh.

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