Winter returned just in time for JeLyMan

The tradition at the ČEZ SkiTour dictates that Saturday starts with the future of Czech cross-country skiing, from preschool kids to the youth categories. Girls and boys aged 6 to 15 bravely tackled courses from 300 metres to 3 kilometres. The first day then continued with the adult 20km freestyle race. Darina Krausová was first among women and she was pleasantly surprised in the finish: “The race was very fast and I was honestly waiting for a crisis in the second half of the course. Today, however, it completely passed me by and I am grateful for the first place.” The men’s winner was the leader of the current SkiTour, Petr Knop. The leader of this year’s series also won in the Sunday’s 40 km classic style. “I was a bit worried whether I’d have the strength for both races. Fortunately, everything fell into place and also thanks to the weather, I really enjoyed Jelyman,” said the eD System Silvini Team member at the finish.

The first in the women’s category at the aforementioned 40km course was Adéla Ročárková, who was in the leading group of men for a third of the race. “I tried to stick to the leading group of guys for as long as possible, but at 12 km I was left behind and for the rest of the race I had to fight on my own. It was hard to pass the restaurant on the way to the final lap, I would rather have been sitting at lunch,” she confided with a smile after the race.

The oldest competitor was 80 years old

The classic style was there to see also in the remaining two races on Sunday. Marcela Dudešková dominated the 20 km course and it was Kryštof Horník who won the men’s crystal medal from Crystal Bohemia. The popular family race ČT 10 km in classic style belonged to the young hopefuls from the Fenix Ski Team Jeseník. The list of winners of all races is available below, complete results can be found on the SkiTour website.

Apart from elite racers, there were also dozens of amateur skiers who enjoyed the great weekend. The oldest JeLyMan participant shared his impressions: “The course was absolutely perfect and I was personally glad that it had been slightly modified. My strength was not as perfect, but I was all the more satisfied at the finish,” said 80-year-old Otakar Srovnal, who was also on the podium in his 70+ category.

ČEZ SkiTour is heading towards the final. The next part of the series will take place in Cínovec in the Krušné Mountains and afterwards the competitors can look forward to a special closing race in the vicinity of the ski jumps in Harrachov. The last SkiTour stop will also include an attractive 20 km night freestyle race. You can register online on the SkiTour website or at the race venue.

We are looking forward to seeing you on the trails. SKOL!

Winners of the VW JeLyMan 20 km freestyle race

Petr Knop, eD System Silvini Team

Darina Krausová, AKEZ Kopřivnice

Winners of the JeLyMan 40 km classic style race

Petr Knop, eD System Silvini Team

Adéla Ročárková, Vltava Fund Ski Team

Winners of the JeLyMan 20 km classic style race

Kryštof Horník, Fenix Ski Team Jeseník

Marcela Dudešková, Fortex Ski Moravský Beroun 

Winners of the ČT JeLyMan 10 km classic style race

Martin Pospíšil, Fenix Ski Team Jeseník

Monika Bandíková, Fenix Ski Team Jeseník