Interview EN

 

Czech out his 2011 season:

 

Beginning of the year:

 

 At the beginning of the season, you competed in Moomba Masters where you won the overall title. How was it? I suppose the conditions were not as great since it is on a river?

 

This year was my second time down in Aussie land. I love Melbourne and its atmosphere. The conditions are not the greatest because we ski on the Yarra river right in the center of the Melbourne, but at least we get a lot of spectators which was one of the most I have seen. I think that the worse water conditions don’t affect me as much because I have been skiing in rough waters pretty much my whole life (in Czech and on the Bayou in Louisiana, Monroe), so I am used to it. 

 

 Then you took part in a couple of tournaments with some solid results. You set a new Czech National record of 3@41 off in slalom, and posted some good results at the Global Invitational. Did these results help you with your confidence?

 

3@41 right before Worlds definitely helped. I was struggling with my slalom at the beginning of the season, so it was good to get everything figured out and get my confidence up. I got 10th at the Global Invitational and I almost ran 39 both rounds, so definitely a good confidence booster one week before the Worlds. I still needed a little bit of trick practice though….

 

Not many people know that you had some health issues right before the World Championship. What was wrong and how did it affect your performance?

 

Right when I got back home from the Global Invitational, I got strep throat. I had to get on antibiotics, so instead of getting a last minute practice, I had to stay in bed. Then I flew over to Russia where I started to feel a little better, and the first day of preliminary rounds I was all ready to go. 

 

 

 

World Championship in Russia:

 

 

How were the conditions in Russia?

 

Dubna is a great place to ski. Water is little rough, but the weather was great and we got a lot of spectators that really seem to enjoy the show.  Only problem about Dubna was the lack of ice and hotel rooms without air-conditioning. 

 

How was the beginning of the Worlds? You made the finals in slalom together with Daniel Odvarko which must have been pretty exciting? 

 

First event is always very important for me because it sets the pace for the rest of the tournament.  I was stoked to get into my first slalom final, especially since I got in together with my Czech mate Daniel Odvarko.

 

Jump must have been the most discouraging. Your first three jumps didn’t go as well, but you got a re-ride which helped you to improve your performance. What was going through your head?

 

I have had problems with my jumping all season long. I was going pretty far in the practice, but I could not put it together in tournaments. The exact same thing happened at Worlds where I couldn’t put it together on the first 3 jumps.  When I landed the third jump and saw the pitiful score, I knew that all the chances are gone and that I will have to try again in two years. But then I saw the boat judge signaling me that I have one more jump due to the fast boat speed. I could not believe it since this happens like once in a million. Luckily, I put it all together on the 4th jump and ended up jumping 199 feet, which was (sadly) my season’s best..

 

The trick event had many changes in the scores. At first you were out of the finals. What happened? 

 

I did very safe runs in the first trick round. I was in a position that I knew what will be enough for the finals. Luckily I did exactly what I needed to. I think that I was out of the top 12 only on the online results due to some glitch because in reality I knew I made it in almost right away.

 

On webcast it looked like you had solid trick runs in the finals, but the results didn’t look as good. Same for Ryan Green, Jaret Llewellyn or other skiers. Were the judges too strict? 

 

My final trick run was the best one in the whole season. Unfortunately, the trick judges didn’t think so. I got two high point value tricks cut which resulted only in a little improvement from my previous run. The judges were very strict, but it was the same for everybody, so even though the points were not as high, the best trick run won.

 

 You did great in slalom finals, and you were able to improve your score. How did it feel?

 

I have been in a slalom final before in some pro tournament or at the European championship where the pressure is pretty much the same.  I knew that I could use any improvement towards my overall score, so I was happy to even improve my score by quarter of a buoy which meant 12 more overall points.

 

In overall, it all came down to the last jump of the whole tournament. Were you worried that your scores wouldn’t hold up?

 

I have been in a similar situation before. Last time it was at the 2009 Worlds where Javi beat me with his last jump. I knew that anything can happen, but luckily for me, my scores held up and after five 2nd places (including junior and U21) I could celebrate the World Champion title.  

 

How did it feel? Your parents were over in Russia as well. Must have been exciting? 

 

By far one of the most exciting moments of my career. Super stoked to finally win, and also excited to share that moment with my parents and my girlfriend Alex [Lauretano] that were there with me.

 

 

 

 

European Championship in Norway:

 

 

Team Czech came in third in the European team championship. Pretty good start. What was the main key to the success?

 

The third place was a great success for the team Czech. I knew we could do it since last year where we missed the third place only by a little. We have very strong overall skiers that are able to compete with the bests of the best.

 

You did great in slalom prelims and won the top seed. Surprising?

 

I accidently won the prelims before in Sweden where the conditions weren’t pretty. I didn’t expect my score to be at 41 off, but I guess that the cold water suited me a lot. 

 

 Tricks went okay, but again jumping was exciting. Was the best distance on the last jump? 

 

What can I say. Sometimes you’re better to be lucky than good! Jumping is something I definitely have to focus on because I don’t know if I can get this lucky again.

 

Slalom finals went great 1,5@41 off and bronze from Daniel Odvarko. How was it to ski from the top seed?

 

 I don’t think there is a better feeling other than winning from the top seed.  I knew what I needed to do, and I was very surprised when I ran 39 off again. I didn’t even have to throw the iron fist because I was thinking what to do at 41 off. Then when I turned good one ball at 41 I couldn’t believe that it’s really happening. I was super excited and surprised. Daniel topped it off with 3rd place, so it really couldn’t be any better. 

 

Little surprise in the overall results. How was it to be on the podium with your Czech mate – Martin Kolman? 

 

Martin is a strong part of our team, and we accomplished something that no one has ever done in the Czech – two top finishes in the men overall. You can be sure that we celebrated it like a true Czechs – with tons of beer!

 

Your overall title was a little bit expected after Worlds. Did you feel any pressure?

 

This might sound like a cliché, but it really is harder when everyone expects you to do it.

 

End of the year:

 

After returning back to US, you skied in a Diablo Shores pro tournament. Again pretty decent results with scores on 41 off. Is it becoming your standard? 

 

Diablo Shores Pro Am was a great tournament. I am very happy when I run 39 off and it is not a standard score for me just yet!

 

Your results qualified you to the prestigious US Masters next year. What event?

 

Yes. I believe I am ranked 7th in the elite ranking list which should get me qualified to the next years US Masters. Nothing confirmed yet! 

 

Is it going to be the main event of the year? What other tourney will you attend? 

 

Next season will be very busy. I will attend University Worlds in January, Moomba Masters in March, US Masters, couple pro stops, world cup stops, Europeans, and other tournaments. I also have to finish school which might be the most challenging. 

 

About skiing:

 

How are you getting ready for next year?

 

Right now I had a little bit of time off.  I started to ski again this week and now I’m in the full process of getting ready for the University Worlds. However, all the skiing depends on the amount of schoolwork and the weather here in Louisiana. 

 

How’s school? 

 

This semester is one of the hardest by far, but I should be done with school in May 2012 with an MBA degree.

 

Where do you see your weak points and opportunities for improvement?

 

I would love to break the world overall record. To do that, I have to improve my tricks and jumping. I am in the process of putting one extra trick in my toe pass and growing back a pair of balls. 

 

What direction would you like to take your skiing after the school?

 

I have committed so much to water skiing that I would definitely want to keep skiing after school. Who knows what will happen. Why don’t you ask me in May?

 

Are you supported by your family? 

 

Parents are my biggest support. I win some cash prize every once in a while, but that barely covers the travelling cost. I also get some trips paid for by my federation, but that’s mainly the Worlds or Europeans. In school I work as a Graduate Assistant to the ULM Water Ski Team. I would not be able to do this without my parents, so I guess we will see what happens in May. 

 

Tell us about your cooperation with the 69slam?

 

69slam.cz is a great company that supports me with free products. If you want some badass shorts and underwear check out 69slam!

 

 

 

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