12.2.2021

Benzina ORLEN Sprint in Swedish hands, two Czechs among winners

Swedes dominated the women’s ranks, Czechs left a mark in the men’s ranking, that’s the summary of the first of the 54^th CEZ Jizerska 50, the Friday Benzina ORLEN Sprint.

The sun setting behind their backs, the fastest cross-country skiers were gliding along in the international Visma Ski Classics series on the stadium in Bedřichov. After qualifying heats it was clear that both the women’s and men’s finals will be a Swedish-Czech battle.

In the women’s race, the Czechs didn’t keep up with the Scandinavians headed by Lina Korsgren, but the Czechs had two representatives on the men’s podium. The Swede with Czech roots Max Novak came first, followed by Jan Šrail at just 0.7 second back and Adam Matouš came third at 0.3 second back.

The Swedish favourite Johannes Eklöf finished behind them as well as Czech Fabián Štoček, who qualified for the final with the second best time.

The women’s final showed favourites and the winner pretty soon. The Ramudden team rejoiced when Lina Korsgren ran off at the start of the second lap and won, more than five minutes ahead of countrywomen Ida Dahl and Jenny Larsson.

The best of Czech women were the fourth Sandra Schützová, who reproached herself for a not very good curve on the stadium in the second lap. Adéla Boudíková and Karolína Grohová came after her.

The attractive Benzina ORLEN Sprint which opened this year’s unusual edition of ČEZ Jizerská 50 is finished and now the preparation for the Sunday 50K race are at their peak. Don’t forget to follow the ČT Sport channel live broadcast at 7:30 as the struggle for the best positions and the points in the Visma Ski Classics ranking will undoubtedly be very dramatic.