Mikaela Shiffrin is a magical skier. A God-gifted and full-of-life American woman. After winning her 71st World Cup slalom at the weekend, a unique number in itself, she took to the microphone and declared: “Thank you all for supporting me and cheering me on. I heard you. Spindle is a special place for me.”
Špindlerův Mlýn in the Giant Mountains.
Photo: Profimedia.cz
Slalom weekend in Špindlerův Mlýn.
No Aspen in Colorado. Tyrolean Sölden, classics in Val-d’Isère, Garmischi, Cortina d’Ampezzo or Saalbach.
“Unceasing enthusiasm. Euphoria,” thanked the female competitors who experienced the weekend races.
On the one hand, it might seem like a pretty expected compliment for hosting the World Cup, but the skiers didn’t even seem like they wanted to overdo it. Again after three years (and for the sixth time in history) they returned to Špindlerův Mlýn, where they had a standard high background, disciplined organizers and at the same time tremendous support from the fans. Thousands gathered, and when Swedish favorite Sara Hector dominated Saturday’s giant slalom, she did not hide her emotion: “It was the first time in my life that I heard the fans from the starting booth to the finish line.”
The famous American Shiffrin, one of the best skiers of all time, even thought of returning to Spindle in the summer for a vacation to compare the winter storm with the mountain silence.
Photo: Profimedia.cz
We root for everyone. But especially American women.
Bring on the sport and it will sell out
In this, the Czech Republic is usually exceptional. Once he invites world-respected athletes, he treats them extremely kindly. It doesn’t matter if they are skiers in Špindlerův Mlýn, athletes at Zlatá tretra in Ostrava or biathletes in Nové Město in Moravia.
Not to mention major championships in hockey, floorball or ball sports. In the Czech Republic, the biggest hall for merciless fighters in MMA will be sold out. Last September, the frenetic atmosphere with dance rhythms was etched in the memory of the elite archers who arrived at the Prague exhibition center in Letňany. By the way, a similar event is being repeated this year and crowds are expected again.
The popular saying that what is Czech, is a fan is definitely not irrelevant. And biathlon ecstasy plays a significant role in this.
Photo: Profimedia.cz
Hurray for the finish line.
A phenomenon has grown up in Vysočina, specifically on the tracks around Nové Město. Quite possibly the hottest World Cup race of the entire biathlon season. Packed with pure enthusiasm, cheering for everyone without distinction, national flags and fragrant plum juice. As former competitor Ondřej Moravec, currently the coach of the men’s national team, says: “It’s far from just being a passionate fan of the Czechs. Nové Město is an experience you look forward to all year.”
Even on Monday morning, when competitors from all over the world set off for the final training before the Olympic Games in Milan, someone thought: “Here are the best fans in the world.”
Maybe so, although it cannot be objectively determined. Turnstile numbers won’t help you. Not even the measured decibels at the track will reveal the exact truth. It is mainly about the overall impression, which is sometimes even addictive when racing in the Czech Republic.
When the Czech mixed relay team Jislová, Voborníková, Hornig and Krčmář reached the finish line on Saturday evening, the arena in Nové Město vibrated so noticeably that you had the impression that it must explode at any moment. “Even though I was crawling on the ground with fatigue, the spectators got me back on my feet,” breathed finisher Michal Krčmář, when he won bronze in the sprint against the Americans: “It’s impossible to describe in words how people support us. It’s a reward that we can compete here.”
Photo: Profimedia.cz
Tribune in Nové Město in Moravia. You want to come back here for biathlon.
Anyone who experienced the weekend races on the Czech snow could only thank them for the experience. By the way, the next Biathlon World Cup in Nové Město will take place next year from January 19. If you want to be there, put a reminder in your calendar from around September. Ticket pre-sale will start.
