Polish part of Ski Tour: great race and almost 4000 athletes!

The most important was 50 km with participation of the Polish Queen of Skis Justyna Kowalczyk-Tekieli.

- I have never eaten two kilograms of chocolate during the race - said Justyna Kowalczyk-Tekieli at the finish line. The Olympic and world champion, the winner of the World Cup, no longer trains professionally. Thus, 50 kilometers in conditions as difficult as during the 46th Bieg Piastów, was at a lot of effort.
This rival was the Czech star Adela Boudikova, who had already won the 50 km CT Bieg Piastów six years ago. Then she gave birth to two daughters and put her sports career on hold.
- My daughters are already older than Justyna's baby, so I’ve had more time to get back in shape - explained Adela Boudikova at the finish line.

Among men, the winner was Michał Skowron from Jelenia Góra. the top five was quickly formed by Skowron, Antolec, Leopold, Knop and Janecek. They were sticking to one another for more than 40 kilometers. On the Bez Łaski uphill a representative of the Polish national team, Michał Skowron, attacked leaving his rivals behind and eventually won. He made a brave decision to escape because – as he said at the finish line – he was feeling great, and the pace of the group was not too fast for him. Let's add that the race was held on the trails he has been training since his childhood on - he knows every turn, downhill and uphill. He comes from a great skiing family. His father Mieczysław won the 25 km Bieg Piastów in 1989. Michał was trained for the start in the 50 km CT by his older brother, a great coach (and skier) Piotr.

25 km won Kacper Antolec and Andżelika Szyszka.
The victory in the women's competition was clear and unquestionable – an excellent coach and athlete from the Bieszczady Mountains, Andżelika Szyszka, and the classic style like each other very much. That, combined with fast conditions, contributed to her excellent result and a big advantage over her rivals.
Among men, there were no such big differences. Despite his victory, a representative of the Polish national team, Kacper Antolec, admitted that he felt disappointed with his place on Saturday, when he lost in the 50 km CT to Michał Skowron. "I came here for two victories – in 50 and 25 kilometers," he said openly. His triumph, however, is very valuable, especially because he defeated another Polish national team representative, Piotr Sobiczewski.

Piotr Skowron and Jadwiga Grynkiewicz impressed everybody with their excellent shape in the 6 km CT. The 30 km freestyle race was won by two Czechs: Petr Knop and Petra Hyncicova.
The sixth SkiTour series was very fast, and the fight for the first places was so fierce and intense that, just behind the finish line, the competitors were falling to the ground and recovering for a long time.
In the women's competition, master class was shown by Jadwiga Grynkiewicz – one of the best cross-country skiers in the world in the +50 age category. She won with a big advantage over much younger rivals.
During the 30 km FT race, Petr Knop and Toni Escher escaped their rivals. At the finish line, the first one turned out to be faster.
The women's race was dominated by Petra Hyncicova from the Czech Republic and Andżelika Szyszka. Six minutes later, 18-year-old Kinga Mareczek – one of the best Polish skiers of the young generation – arrived at the finish line.
A great 9th place in the 30 km was taken by the Olympic vice-champion and world champion in mountain biking Maja Włoszczowska.