27.12.2018

I would like to try all of the SkiTour races, says Juha Tuikkanen from Finland

Juha Tuikkanen has raced in the Czech Republic many times, but he will be a newcomer on the starting line of the Kašperská 30. Last year, the fifty-one-year-old Finnish skier did a 40-kilometre JeLyMan race and would like to try all of the SkiTour races one by one. He likes visiting the Czech Republic. "I've been there about ten times. This year, I'm planning to visit Plzeň and possibly try the local beer," he smiles.

You have done the famous Jizerská 50 five times. How do you feel about the race?
I like the Jizerská 50 very much. There is a long climb at the beginning and the trail is very hilly. But the end is far less demanding and more enjoyable. The Jizera Mountains are beautiful and the event is very well organized.

How did you enjoy the Czech Republic? Did you visit any interesting places?
I've been to the Czech Republic about ten times. I always meet a lot of fine people and always feel welcome. I managed to visit lots of beautiful places like Harrachov, Liberec or Brno. It is clear that the Czechs like sports, just like us, the Finns.

How long have you been cross-country skiing and which countries have you visited as a skier?
I am a member of the Ski Jyväskylä club and also the Finnish Ski Federation's Cross Country Skiing Team, so I race often. I have been long-distance cross-country skiing for fun in Finland and elsewhere for 10 years now. There are more than 20 different types of races in Finland. Apart from the Czech Republic, I have skied in Italy, Estonia, Poland, Germany and Austria.

Last year, you took part in the 40-kilometre JeLyMan race. What was the difference between that race and the Jizerská 50?
Sometimes it is fine to race without too many people. JeLyMan is a kind of exotic race. Both races have fast downhills and long climbs, which is a general feature of the Czech races.

This year, you are going to race in the Kašperská 30. Why did you choose this race? Do you set yourself any targets?
I like to ski on various trails. I have done four different races in the Czech Republic and my aim is to try all of the SkiTour races. But I have no particular targets in the races. I only hope that the trail is balanced and everything goes well. I look forward to a new landscape. I take racing as a very pleasant sporting activity.

Are you planning to see something new again in the Czech Republic?
I look forward to a pleasant weekend and new experiences. I will arrive in the Czech Republic with a small group of three people. On Friday, we are going to visit Plzeň because we would like to see a new town. We would also like to try the local beer.