The first stop of the 2023 ČEZ SkiTour at the Orlický maraton marked by blue skies and sparkling snow

5.2.2023

The long-awaiting start of the ČEZ SkiTour 2023 series took place on the first weekend of February. After postponements due to insufficient snow, the season got underway in the Orlické Mountains. The 39th edition of the traditional Orlický Marathon welcomed 535 racers and treated them to two new delights. The first was a heated backstage area, which provided comfort, online results and entertainment. The second was an azure sky and the kind of sun rarely seen in Deštné and the Orlické Mountains.

The relatively windy and snowy Saturday that greeted competitors in the VW Orlický Marathon 20 km frees and the children racing in all age categories turned into a gloriously sunny Sunday that gave all the Nordic races the perfect mountain rush.

A total of 281 racers entered the 10km, 20km and 40km Nordic races, bravely hitting the trail in pursuit of experience and performance. Aleš Bohatý won the longest course, the Orlický Marathon and the fastest woman was Adéla Ročárková (née Boudíková). The competitors enjoyed the course. “It was really difficult, but probably the best skiing of this season,” said racer Jakub Jirků. The Krkonoše Mountains could be seen from the ridges of the Orlické Mountains!

Jakub Pšenička dominated the Nordic 20km and Tereza Hujerová, coming off her victory in the Orlický Half-Marathon Free, led the women. Richard Vítek and Tereza Ptáčková reigned supreme in the ČT 10km Nordic race, finishing in just over half an hour.

Along with the aforementioned azure skies and super skiing conditions, the organizers arranged a heated backstage area for the SkiTour racers. The ČEZ Energy zone provided a comfortable and fun refuge and the T-Mobile Lounge added to the excellent service with the option to search for your result online via touchscreen display!

The Orlický Marathon was the final training race before the 56th edition of the ČEZ Jizerská 50, which will take place from 9-12 February in Bedřichov in the Jizera Mountains. The series will then continue on 18-19 February in Mísečky in the Krkonoše Mountains. You and your group are cordially invited to this celebration of skiing. See you on the track, SKOL!