In a chat, ProXCskiing talked with the Czech Pro Tour skier Sandra Schützová, Vltava Fund Ski Team, about her season preparations, first races this winter, the Ski Classics first events Season XIV, plans for the upcoming competitions, and of course, whether to train or not on Christmas Day. 

Sandra Schützová is an experienced Czech skier in traditional cross-country and long-distance skiing and has her first full Pro Tour season. With 12 Ski Classics Pro Tour and 1 Ski Classics Challengers starts on her shoulders, and with 247 points this Season, she is currently in 10th place in the Yellow Champion Competition. 

Sandra, first of all, congratulations on your races so far at Ski Classics Season XIV. How was Bad Gastein Criterium and La Venosta Criterium for you? Do you think these ‘shorter’ races fit your characteristics?

“Thanks a lot. This is my first Season in Ski Classics that I joined from the beginning. The shorter competitions are not a bad choice, a bit of pre-Christmas warm-up. These suit me better than, for example, Vasaloppet. But I believe that I will only get better.” 

And how was your preparation for the Winter Season? Did everything go according to plan? How about your goals for the Season?

“The preparation went exactly how I planned with my trainer. I was healthy and could complete all the training I had in my plan. I am satisfied, and I believe that in the next competitions, I will be able to get better results. My main goal is to be in the top 10 and at Jizerská50 in the top 6. Jizerská50 is my favorite competition, not only because it’s in the Czech Republic.”

You are an experienced skier in both traditional cross-country skiing and long-distance skiing. Before the Ski Classics Premiere, did you start in any cross-country skiing races? How was the feeling? In your opinion, is traditional cross-country skiing a complement to long-distance skiing races? Or is it challenging to combine both during the Winter Season? Are you focusing entirely on long-distance skiing this Season?

“Yes, I started in Alpen Cup in Santa Caterina Valfurva and the week before in the Italian Cup in Livigno. I needed to start racing before Bad Gastein. I felt very well. I still feel comfortable in the short races as well, so I enjoyed it. It’s slightly different than the long races.” 

“I could still combine these races to some extent, but my priority is only one. As the Season in Ski Classics is very demanding, and you want to prepare properly for a specific race, this combination is not always possible and it’s not fitting in the plan. And yes, I am concentrating mainly on the long-distance races.”

And now Christmas time has arrived. On Christmas Day, do you like to stay at home with your family and friends and relax on the sofa, or do you like to do a Christmas workout?

“I am definitely doing a Christmas workout. What I love the most are the nice weather and beautiful skiing, then I can ideally go for longer training. Unfortunately, it’s pouring in the Czech Republic and very cold, so it’s icing everywhere, and these are not the best conditions for training. Therefore, I will have a free day, pack the gifts, and spend some time with my family.”

And as it could not be missing, Christmas is a time for reflection and receiving presents. Which ‘gift’ would you like to receive this Season?

“In the Czech Republic, we do not have Santa Claus, but Ježíšek (baby Jesus), and I wish mainly health and strong arms for the Season.”  

The upcoming Ski Classics Pro Tour event is Pustertaler Ski Marathon, a 62km classic technique event in Italy on January 14, followed by Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, a 30km race also in Italy on January 15, 2023.

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, 30km
• Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 55km 
• Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedrichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 15km
• 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, 67km

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

Merry Christmas!