Sandra Schützová is experiencing a strong end to the season. After an impressive 8th place at the Jizerská 50, she struggled at the Vasaloppet due to health issues. However, she has been feeling much better in recent races, and her results reflect that.

Last year at the Birkebeinerennet, Sandra Schützová suffered a knee ligament injury in one of the fast descents after hitting a discarded sports gel wrapper. She had to adjust her training over the summer, but a silver lining was her recruitment into a Norwegian team. Now, she has returned to the start of this challenging race, feeling strong after her health struggles, and secured a solid 14th place. The following weekend, she equaled her career-best result with an 8th-place finish at Marcialonga Bodø.

Interview with Sandra Schützová

How did it feel to return to the scene of last season’s injury at the Birkebeinerennet?
I had mixed feelings. Of course, I was excited for the race, but I was also nervous because you reach such high speeds in the descents. Fortunately, I had already been here after the Jizerská 50 and visited the spot where I fell a few times. I have to admit that during my first training session, I wasn’t even sure exactly where it happened. But I made sure to ski that descent a few times in training.

Did you think about your injury during this year’s Birken?
I tried not to, but of course, I couldn’t completely avoid it. Since I had already skied that descent in training, I was a bit more at ease. But during the race, as I approached that section, my heart rate definitely went up, and I felt some fear.

How did your injury and subsequent surgery impact your season?
Honestly, I don’t think my injury affected my results. In fact, I felt much better during training because I focused on different aspects of my preparation. However, my results haven’t been what I had hoped for. The main reason was the illness I had in November and December—it lasted an exhausting five weeks. Then, racing and training at high altitude took a huge toll on my body. Things were supposed to improve after returning, but I had issues with my thyroid medication, which extended my health struggles. It wasn’t until Birken that I finally felt better, and the week before the race, I did my first interval training since November.

New Team, New Challenges

How do you like being part of the Norwegian team Kaffebryggeriet Driv?
I love it! Of course, I was a bit nervous because everything was new and different, but I haven’t regretted my decision for a second. On the contrary, I’m really happy I took this step. Everyone is great, and I’m genuinely happy here. I’m even toying with the idea of moving here because back home, I have to train a lot on my own, whereas here, I have training partners.

What are the biggest differences between your previous team and your current one?
The biggest difference is that all communication is in English, which can be a challenge at times. But I’m also grateful for the opportunity to improve my English skills.

Read More: Ski Testing: How, Where, and When (Part 1)

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