54th CEZ Jizerska 50 has a Czech representative on the podium, Smutná came third

The fight for the gold among the long-distance women skiers was very close and one hundredth of a second brought Lina Korsgren the first place before her colleague Ida Dahl from the Ramudden team.

The men’s race also had a fantastic finish, in the end it was the leader of the whole series Emil Persson from Sweden who came first, beating Norway’s Tord Asle Gjerdalen by a margin of three hundredths of a second. Russia’s Ermil Vokuev came third.

The conditions on the course were ideal, soon after the start of Jizerska 50 the sun flooded the Jizerské Mountains. CEZ Jizerska 50, one of the top four races in Visma Ski Classics, had to take place without audiences, but the joy resonated at the stadium at least among the few members of the Czech organisation and realisation team. There were also a few people along the course, who helped motivate the skiers’ performances.

Although amateur skiers couldn’t set out on the course today, there will be ideal snow conditions for cross-country skiing in the coming days. Not just in the Jizera Mountains, but anywhere in the Czech Republic, or in any part of the world, hobby skiers can take part in the so-called Virtual Jizerska 50 until the end of February. The race is part of the Worldloppet Virtual Racing League and apart from receiving a race package with a crystal and memorial medal, a race number and other gifts from our partners, the participants are entered in a draw after the end of the race.

The next stop of the Visma Ski Classics series is the legendary Swedish Vasaloppet where skiers from Sweden will surely want to display their best shape. We’ll be watching Kateřina Smutná and keep our fingers crossed for all the Czech representatives on the trail.