Mar 6, 2016

European Championship Austria

For those, who weren't at WUSOC, it was the most important event of the season. For me, these two events were pretty equl and I tried to prepare well for both of them. I left to Austria with few other ski-o athlets three days earlier. As the races were held in Oberwiesenthal in 1600m above the sea level, the high attitude could already affect the performances.

It was a very good decision to come to the higher attitude some days earlier, but I think I should come even one or two days earlier. I felt really stucked and out of breath during the first race - sprint. But I was very satisfied with my orienteering. Basically, I haven't done any mistake. So it was a bit of dissapointment when I saw my name on 31st position in results.

As I was 3rd best Czech girl in sprint I qualified to the Czech Republic 3 together with Michal Drobník for upcoming sprint relay. Forking system didin't work very fair that day. There was a lot of snow coming overnight and snow mobile tracks were too soft. Even the best runners (for example Tove Alexandersson) had a bid difficulties to climb up to he first control. This caused a huge traffic jam to the first control and the differences between each girl grow up very fast. A big disadvantage for those who had this loop as a first one (when there are many girls together). Unfortunately, so I did. I came from the first leg with quite a big loss and it was hard for Michal to catch the best when he wasn't in a contact with best runners anymore. We didn't end up as the best team so we didn't count to the official results.

The day adter was a middle distance with mass start. It was really physically challenging race and not so difficult with orienteering. I didn't do any mistake and went pushed really for 100%. I had to fight till the very end because there was Frda Sandberg (EC gold medal from relay last year) just behind my back. But I won the finish ahead of her and ended up at 27th position. Couldn't do any better today. Moc moc moc satisfied! :)