Czech Artist Crafts Unique Trophy for Snowboard Slalom Medalists, Inspired by Ester Ledecká

Medalists from Saturday’s parallel slalom competition will receive a distinctive trophy created by Jakub Flejšar. “They will receive a geometrically shaped snowboarder, which aligns with my style. He will be holding the snowboard above his head as a victorious gesture,” the Prague-based sculptor explained.

The artistry extends beyond the event itself, reflecting a broader celebration of Czech sporting achievement. Although Ester Ledecká, the celebrated Czech athlete, did not compete in the World Cup event in Špindlerův Mlýn, opting instead for the alpine skiing World Cup in Val di Fasa, Italy, her influence is clearly visible in the commemorative artwork. Fans in Špindlerův Mlýn, still, were able to witness Olympic winner Zuzana Maděrová in action.

The trophy itself is approximately 40 centimeters in height and constructed from six pieces of iron. Flejšar detailed the process, stating, “Using a laser, we cut eight-millimeter thick iron plates according to the shape of the individual parts of the figure, which are layered on top of each other. Then I welded the pieces together, and this week the final engraving of the inscription was completed.”

Inspired by Ledecká’s Victory Pose

Flejšar drew direct inspiration from Ester Ledecká herself. “Snowboarding is close to my heart, so I already had an idea beforehand. The inspiration was Ester, who raises her board above her head when she wins. One hand wouldn’t be enough, so I raised both arms,” he said.

A History of Supporting Czech Athletes

This isn’t Flejšar’s first foray into combining art and athletics. He previously created a sculpture of hockey player for the Czech House during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. That piece, titled “One for All,” proved a popular attraction, though its installation wasn’t without bureaucratic hurdles. “The sculpture weighs 800 kilograms and is 4.2 meters high. Getting it in place and obtaining permission was challenging. The Czech Olympic Committee handled it, but the Italians were sluggish to grant permission, even though they had several months. We received permission only the day before, and even then, it was for a slightly different location than originally planned. It was stressful, but it finally worked out,” Flejšar recalled.

He has since brought the hockey sculpture back to his studio and plans to showcase it at exhibitions, hoping for a future sale. Flejšar’s connection to Czech winter sports runs deep, having previously served as a coach, including a role with Eva Samková (now Adamczyková), contributing to her gold medal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and her bronze in Pyeongchang in 2018.

Predicting Success: Flejšar’s Insight on Adamczyková

In February, Flejšar also served as an expert commentator for Czech Television, providing analysis during Eva Adamczyková’s silver medal-winning performance in snowboard cross at the Living event. Having previously coached Adamczyková, he accurately predicted her success. “Her achievement pleased me highly much, but it didn’t surprise me. I had seen how she was riding before, so I was sure she would deliver a good result. I thought it would be gold, but I said she would be silver because she was missing something and she liked it,” he stated.

A Multi-Talented Artist

Jakub Flejšar is a Czech sculptor, a graduate of the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague. He is also a former representative in snowboard cross and a former coach of Eva Adamczyková and the Czech junior national team. He is the author of the rowing sculpture for the World Championships in Račice and other sports sculptures, such as the one commemorating the anniversary of the Jizerská 50 race. He exhibited at the EPO1 gallery in Trutnov with his unique exhibition “Ride with a Big Figure of a Cyclist.” Currently, he exhibits in Vysoké Mýto and Nové Město na Moravě.

Flejšar also contributed to the ongoing “Olympic Season” exhibition in Malá Úpa, creating figurines for the display. His work typically features figures, portraits, heads, and other fragments of the human body, which gradually take on abstract forms. He primarily works with wood and metal.

What’s Next for Czech Snowboarding?

While Ester Ledecká is currently focused on alpine skiing, the success of Zuzana Maděrová in Špindlerův Mlýn highlights the continued strength of Czech snowboarding. The World Cup event in Špindlerův Mlýn continues to be a key fixture on the international snowboarding calendar, and fans can look forward to future competitions showcasing the nation’s top talent. The focus now shifts back to the alpine skiing circuit, where Ledecká will continue her pursuit of excellence.

The unique trophies crafted by Jakub Flejšar serve as a lasting reminder of these athletic achievements and the artistic talent that celebrates them.