The concrete part resembles a racing slope in St. Peter, on the top are hand-forged skis. The wooden oak base is inspired by the mountains. “I dare to say that Špindlerův Mlýn is the only one with trophies made of concrete in the ski World Cup,” claims the craftsman from Vrchlab, who has been producing interior accessories and decorations such as wall clocks, lamps, and concrete paintings since 2020. She also makes concrete earrings and bow ties. He started in a shed in the garden. He has been working in the former butcher’s shop for a year. He built a workshop in the back, turned the shop into a showroom.
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“I am half-Polish from my mother’s side, so I would like the Polish representative Maryna Gasienica-Daniel to have the trophy from me. She is in growing form, so it would be nice if her first podiums were in Spindle. I hope that Mikaela Shiffrinová will also take one. But I will be happy if anyone wins the trophy and likes it,” he revealed which skiers he would like to see his product on.
Martin Plůcha was also the author of the trophies three years ago at the last World Cup in Špindlerův Mlýn. That’s when footage of Mikaela Shiffrin with an unconventional trophy went viral. The tips of old skis, which he assembled from pieces of ash wood coming from the workshop of the pre-war Olympian and ski manufacturer Antonín Bartona from Vysoké nad Jizerou, are placed in the base. “It is a great honor and at the same time a great commitment for this year. I have set the bar very high in previous races. But this year’s trophy is also liked according to the first reactions,” he was pleased.
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He started production in his workshop at the beginning of November. He made eight pieces. Six belong to the three best skiers of Saturday and Sunday’s races, the others are for display at the start and in reserve in case of equality of ranking at the same time. “And I made one for myself as a keepsake,” smiled the author.
This year’s trophy is made of concrete, wood and metal. “The concrete part is inspired by the black slope of the World Cup, on which the races are held. The concrete stands on a wooden plinth resembling mountains, on top are hand-forged skis from my niece. There is also an engraved, simplified racing track and the location of the female competitors must not be missing,” Martin Plůcha described his product.
He produced the first non-traditional sports trophies for the Czech Republic paragliding championship. At that time, the winners received awards in the form of table clocks and concrete medals. They caught on, and then came the life project of producing prizes for the world’s best female skiers in Špindlerův Mlýn. The winners of the World Cup in sport climbing in Prague also have trophies from Martin Plůcha from Vrchlabí. Who will take the original trophy with a concrete slope from the Giant Mountains?
