EXCLUSIVE: Paddy Field - my first Jizerska 50 I missed

[14. 11. 2008] The organisers have prepared a great innovation for the 42nd Patria Direct Jizerská 50. For the first time in history, a director of a foreign race will become the director of this race. The manager is Paddy Field.

What does Jizerska 50 mean for you?

The introduction of Jizerska Padesatka into Worldloppet has given it a much wider audience than previously and has played a major role in opening up to skiers the Jizera Hory, undoubtedly one of the best cross-country ski areas in Central Europe, but which were largely unknown outside the Czech Republic until the last decade.  The area is particularly suited to the Classical Techniques, being similar in many respects to Norway – the spiritual home of cross-country skiing.

How many times have you visited it?

My first attempt to come to Jizerska Padesatka was in the late 1980s, but my car became buried in a blizzard in the Thueringer Wald on my way to the race, which I sadly missed.  I have, however, been here four times since:  once as a competitor, once as TD and twice as Co-ordinator of the FIS Marathon Cup.

What do you think that you can bring new to the race.

I know from previous experience that the race is already well organised, but I am hopeful that my experience in North America, Scandinavia, the Far East, Australia, Central Europe and Eastern Europe over the past thirty years will enable me to introduce some new ideas and to work with the existing team to make all-round improvements to make the race as enjoyable as possible for the competitors and as interesting as possible for the spectators.

When did you come to Jizerska Padesatka for the first time?

If my memory is correct, it was in 1999.

What do you think about the ‘name’ of Jizerska Padesatka in Europe?

There can be no question that the name of Jizerska Padesatka has grown in stature since the race became a member of Worldloppet, and amongst elite competitors with its participation in the FIS Marathon Cup.  That has introduced it to a much wider group of skiers than previously, when competitors were almost exclusively Czech nationals.  One of the benefits of Worldloppet membership is that races can compare themselves with, and learn from, their fellow member races and Jizerska Padesatka has become increasingly professional in its organisation as the years have gone by.  It is now seen as being without question one of the leading long distance races in Classical technique in central Europe.

Can you compare Jizerska Padesatka with other races?

Skiing in classical technique is the bedrock of our sport and the terrain over which Jizerska Padesatka is run is ideal for classical skiing.  The course in a popular race should provide a challenge for the skiers without  posing technical problems too severe for the everyday skier to cope with.  The course of Jizerska Padesatka is ideal in this regard.  There are long, demanding uphills requiring stamina and determination to keep the pace going, whilst the downhill sections introduce variety without danger.  Another essential element is the quality of the environment:  the hills and the forests, interspersed with more open sections of the course, bring the competitors very close to the natural beauty of the landscape.  It is always difficult to compare one race with another, as each has its own culture.  Jizerska Padesatka has no direct comparators outside Scandinavia ; its uniqueness is bringing it a growing reputation, upon which I hope that we can continue to build in the 2009 edition.