ATOMIC MARATHON TEAM
USES CYCLING STRATEGY
FOR CZECH VICTORY
Fresh off their Worldloppet victory in China, the Atomic Marathon Team traveled to the Czech Republic to continue their international winning streak. The 38th running of the Jizerska Padesatka marathon took place on Sunday in the Jizera mountains of the Czech Republic. The Atomic Marathon Team took the gold with Karl Gunnar Skjonsfell and bronze with Stanislav Rezak.
Team Manager Peter Juric was ecstatic over the consistent success of the team. “We spent much time training together on glaciers last summer,†pointed out Juric. “There is not much to do at night but wax skis and watch Eurosport (Europe’s equivalent to ESPN). We watched the Giro d’ Italia, the Tour de France and some one day races. We take notes and talk about how we can use strategy of cycle teams for our ski team. It has paid off. Rezac and Estonian Raul Olle had a close battle going into the finish. Skjonsfell drafted his team mate Rezac like he was a cyclist. Then he pulled ahead right before the line and won the race. Rezac served as a skiing “domestic†and set up the win for his team mate. I think this is the future of ski racing.â€
“At first we were a little unsure of this approach,†commented team member Oscar Svard of Sweden. “Skiing is more individual than cycling and we were a little uncomfortable about not skiing our own race. But then we try this team strategy in China with some of us assigned the role of suffering for the winner. The team took first and third in China and now first and third in Bedrichov. This team is a good way to go.â€
Source: Atomic Press Release
