10.5.2019

The Story of Morten Eide Pedersen: Jizerska 50 has its charm for me

The ambitious Norwegian cross-country skier Morten Eide Pedersen celebrated his 31 birthday in December 2018, two month later he could enter the chronicles of the Czech cross-country skiing. After three consecutive triumphs in Jizerska 50 he could celebrate the fourth victory in the modern times, which is part of the International series.

He was thinking about the victory gesture for the fourth victory, with four fingers having only one meaning. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, on the 52 Jizerska 50 he finished on the 5 place, even though by several dozens of centimetres. He dreamt about joining the legends and did all he could. However, the first 12 competitors arrived to the finish with a difference of only three seconds, testament to the even nature of the starting field.

“And also the demanding conditions. The snow was melting a little, so it wasn’t as fast and we couldn’t catch up with the group in the lead. In the final spurt I had not enough strength, so on the finish line I watched my competitors’ backs. But I accept the result with humility. I will come back for another try at wining the Jizerska 50,” assures us the nice Norwegian.

He has three victories in the Visma Ski Classics series, all from the Czech race. Why does he think he never finished the first anywhere else? “The track in Jizerské mountains suits me, it is very hilly and relatively narrow. You race among many people, the atmosphere is great. Your Jizerska 50 suits me. This could be the reason. Or perhaps my luck. It will be connected vessels.”

He visited the Czech Republic, not only for the Jizerská 50, but also with his school and he participated in the Cross-Country Skiing World Championship in 2009. He knows our champions Lukáš Bauer and Stanislav Řezáč. “Both are great skiers, I like them a lot and wish them the best,” he says.

But on the starting line he is his won fan, he simply wants to win. “There, I think about just one thing: to manage my strength correctly and to enjoy the race. At Jizerska 50 I am doing great so far.”