FasterSkier · January 6, 2005
The Jizerska Padesatka FIS marathon cup race in the Czech Republic is this weekend.
The race is classic style, meaning that Norwegian Havard Skorstad is one of the favorites. The Norwegian long distance marathon national team has its own private sponsor and is officially called Team Intersport. Intersport is a sporting goods chain.
The race is one of Skorstad’s big goals for the season
 – He has even higher ambitions for this weekend’s classic marathon.
 – I’m feeling good. I have earmarked Jizerska Padesatka, Marcialonga, the Norwegian Birkie and Vasaloppet as this season’s big goals and have rested up the last few days, says Skorstad.
 I’m good in rolling terrain, so the course in The Czech Republic is ideal for me. It has some tough climbs in the early part. My plan is to start hard and break up the field. That’s to my advantage, says Skorstad.
 This is Skorstad’s first season with Team Intersport and the first time he is racing in the Jizerska Padesatka.
 – No Norwegian has ever won this race, so it would be exciting if I could be the first one. This is a race that among Central European’s is regarded higher than our own Birkie, continues Skorstad.
 Team Intersport has a strong team and manager Lars Christian Aabol is excited ahead of the season’s first classic race.
– We have several potential winners, but Skorstad is our biggest hope due to his all-around skills in rolling terrain.
 There are some good double pole sections towards the end and good double pole skiers that manage to stay in the lead or with the lead pack up the last hard uphills will have a good chance toward the end.
 – Everyone on the team is feeling good. Jorgen Aukland beat last year’s winner Oscar Svard of Sweden in the Chinese Vasaloppet last weekend and feels “fit for the fightâ€, says Aabol.
 There is not much snow in the area where the race will be held and the weather forecast calls for warm temperatures.
Source: Langrenn.com
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