16.1.2021

There has been a meeting at the Ministry of Health, but the specific format of the race for amateur skiers is still not clear

Just before Christmas we informed you that in mid-January we will have a meeting with representatives of the Czech Ministry of Health about the possible options for the 54th ČEZ Jizerská 50. The first meeting took place on Friday, January 15, and we have some news.

The elite cross-country skiing races are very likely to take place to the full extent. Both Friday's Benzina Sprint as well as the main Sunday race of ČEZ Jizerská 50, which is part of the Visma SkiClassics series, can take place in full format in compliance with the given hygienic and safety rules. In addition, both races for today’s cross-country skiing elite will be shot by Czech Television and broadcast live on ČT Sport channel and Radiožurnál radio station. In order for everything to go according to the instructions of the Ministry and to make the race completely safe, the event will have no spectators. The whole of Bedřichov will close for traffic on Sunday morning. We recommend that the public avoid the ČEZ Jizerská 50 route on cross-country skis during the elite race on the morning of February 14.

However, ČEZ Jizerská 50 is not just about professionals, amateurs make it what it is - the family treasure of Czech sport. Unfortunately, the final decision of negotiations regarding the format of races for hobby athletes is not yet known. On Friday, we submitted a detailed proposal for a race with individual starts spread out over several days. After the meeting, we also sent this proposal electronically to the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic and we are now waiting for their official statement. At the meeting, the original scenario of the event taking place over 3 days including hobby skiers was rejected, even under the condition of testing or providing a negative test.

The preparations for the event continue anyway. We want to organize an individual race so that everyone who has registered for the 54th edition of the race can enjoy the course of the legendary ČEZ Jizerská 50. The Ministry has asked for more time to evaluate the proposed version of the hobby race with individual starts. The term of the decision has not been set, but as soon as the terms of the race are known we will bring you the details.