The two successful athletes from the Czech Republic are Kateřina Janatová, the Czech number one in the World Cup, and Sandra Schützová, the country’s best Pro Team athlete. Both took part in the World Cup roller ski races in Sweden and were very visible. Earlier this week, we spoke with Kateřina, and today we are speaking with Sandra.

Also Read: Kateřina Janatová – Czech star impresses at the World Cup

The Czech skiers split the World Cup roller ski starts in Trollhättan. On Friday, Kateřina Janatová started in the freestyle sprint. On Saturday, Sandra Schützová competed in the Alliansloppet – a 48km classic technique race. And on Sunday, both took part in the 15km classic interval start race.

The Jilemnice athletes are also connected to Norway. Kateřina spends part of her training with the Norwegian team, Team Aker Daehlie, while Sandra represents the Norwegian Pro Team Kaffebryggeriet DRIV in Ski Classics long-distance races.

Weekend races

In Saturday’s Alliansloppet, Sandra managed to stay with a strong group of long-distance skiers for the entire race. Only before the finish did the group stretch out, with athletes crossing the line seconds apart. Victory went to the overall Ski Classics winner from two years ago, Magni Smedås. The star-studded field also included the successful Slind sisters, Hanna Lodin, Jenny Larsson, and talented young Andorran Gina Del Rio from the World Cup.

Read More: Magni Smedås wins Alliansloppet 2025

Sandra, you achieved a great result and, most importantly, stayed among the elite. What do you think about that?

“I’m really happy that I was able to build on the 7th place from the Blink Festival, and also to see that it wasn’t just a coincidence but confirmation that my training is going in the right direction.”

What went through your mind when you were racing with such stars and keeping up with them?

“It’s interesting that when you’re out there with them, you don’t really think about who is around you. The only thing that came to my mind, maybe halfway through the third lap, was that I was finally racing where the real competition was happening.”

How was the start of the race?

“Fortunately, it wasn’t fast at all in the beginning, which saved me, because I started from the 10th row and all my competitors were in the front rows. Since the start was uphill, I was a bit worried that the pack would split apart like it did at the Blink Festival, where I was unfortunately stuck at the back, and that decided my result.”

Also Read: Astrid Øyre Slind wins Blink Classics 2025

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“Already in the first lap, there were a few surges, but I think the decisive one came in the second lap, when only our seven-member group remained. From then on, there were some sharp accelerations. Sometimes I had to close a gap, and that probably cost me the strength I later lacked to stay with the group to the finish line. With two kilometers to go, I couldn’t keep the high pace anymore, and the others gradually pulled away from me. A pity. But I gained a lot of experience that I can use next time.”

Did you know about your good form from training, or was it just that this race suited you?

“I’d say I already knew from training that I was in good shape. But you only find out how you really compare yourself with the other girls during the race itself. I had two training camps with my home club ČKS SKI Jilemnice, and training with the younger guys there probably helped me a lot.”

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