|
The race of Jakub Gräf’s life has the glint of silver
Friday February 20 2009 02:40 PM
Jakub Gräf, a 17-year-old skier from Dukla Liberec, achieved an outstanding result at the 9th European Youth Olympic Winter Festival (EYOWF) 2009 in Beskidy, Poland. He placed second in the 10km free technique and thanks to his efforts the Czech Republic has won its only medal at the European Youth Olympics so far.
The young Czech competitor was not far from a golden triumph. The winner, Perttu Hyvvärinen from Finland, crossed the finish line only four second faster than Gräf, while Didrik Tonseth from Norway came in third 13 seconds slower.
Due to harsh weather conditions, the circuit in Szczyrk was extremely difficult and put all 85 competitors to a tough test. “Heaps of new soft snow were constantly falling on him, some 15 centimetres descended on to the course during the race with a rough wind as well. It was a genuine test of will and endurance for everybody, a typical ‘Bohumil Hanč’ type of race, as we say. I am really pleased that Jakub did so well in the struggle,” Aleš Gräf, the satisfied father, commented on the race.
These extremely unpleasant conditions suited, however, the second year student of Jeronýmova grammar school in Liberec to a maximum extent. Jakub Gräf summarised his silver participation in this top international youth competition as follows. “Before the start, I had no idea what to expect from the race. I didn’t know any of the racers. And what’s more, the terrible weather did not promise anything easy. My skis were in perfect condition and the race went surprisingly well. At the finish, I was even told I was the first and that I might win the race, but there was still this Finn behind me. He set out on the track as the very last, had accurate information about the course of the race and consequently secured the victory. It is a pity, four seconds in such foul weather is not much”.
“This has been the race and best result of his life. We would consider any position in the top ten a success, but Jakub proved to be a great talent and fighter,” said his coach Josef Kubica. What is remarkable is that Jakub has never won a medal in an individual race in his age category at even the Czech championship! His best result so far was the Czech Cup trophy last year.
“I have been close to a home medal twice, but we were unlucky with the wax. Now, this has made up for it all. A celebration? I just popped into a pizzeria in Szczyrk and I have saved something for the end of the festival. And one more thing – I am not only happy for the silver I won, but also for the place I have earned in the Czech national junior team for the next year. That was my big wish,” adds this modest young man, who turns eighteen on 11th September of this year and who has great respect for Lukáš Bauer. In Szczyrk he indicated he might follow in Bauer’s footsteps.
In past EYOWF events, racers such as Martin Koukal and Zuzana Kocumová won medals for the Czech Republic.
|