In a stunning upset at the American Beaver Creek resort, Czech skier Jan zabystřan defied expectations, securing an notable eleventh-place finish in the season-opening downhill race.
Starting as the 54th competitor on the challenging “Bird of Prey” slope, Zabystřan, a 26-year-old from Kadana, delivered a performance that surpassed even his own best world cup result of nineteenth place. While other skiers lost notable time to the eventual winner, Swiss skier Justin Murisier, zabystřan remained remarkably close, trailing by mere hundredths and tenths of a second.
“Fantastic,” zabystřan exclaimed after crossing the finish line, 1.21 seconds behind Murisier. “I’m glad that it worked out after training and a long summer’s hard work. It looks like it was the right way,” he said, praising the Czech-German cooperation that has supported his development.
Zabystřan’s achievement marks a significant milestone for czech downhill skiing. Even his predecessor, Ondřej Bank, only managed a higher finish once, securing ninth place in Wengen nearly a decade ago.
Previously known as an all-around skier, Zabystřan has recently focused his efforts on speed disciplines, a decision that is clearly paying dividends.He showed promising signs during pre-season training, hinting at his potential for success.
Czech skier Jan Zabystřan kicked off the Ski world Cup season with an impressive 11th place finish in the opening downhill race. This strong performance comes after a promising pre-season, where Zabystřan showcased his skills in Chile and Copper Mountain, Colorado.
“Already in the fall in Chile and here in Cooper, where we were ten days before the races, I rode well,” zabystřan said, crediting the skis from Czech brand Kästle, the same brand used by Olympic champion Ester Ledecká. “I’m glad that it turned out that we have it in racing conditions as well,” he added.
“Looking at the intermediate times, Zabystřan drove a balanced ride, he did not lose substantially anywhere. “About three-tenths in the upper passage, only eleven-hundredths in the middle, which is good for the super-G that starts there.Then I was somewhere very low, but everyone had problems there and at least I had a better approach to the final jumps and then I kept the speed,” he described his run.
Zabystřan’s strong performance also earned him a $5,000 bonus, awarded to the skier with the highest result shift compared to their starting number in Beaver Creek.
Czech skier ondřej Zábystřan delivered a stunning performance in the men’s downhill race at Beaver creek, Colorado, securing an impressive 6th place finish. This remarkable result marks a significant leap forward for Zábystřan, who jumped an astounding 43 positions from his previous ranking.
“It was perfect, but I still consider downhill as my weaker discipline, even though this one was more twisty. I’m curious about the super-G,” Zábystřan shared, looking ahead to Saturday’s super-G race.
Zábystřan’s impressive performance puts him in a strong position for the upcoming super-G, where he will start with bib number 54. before the season began, he set a goal of achieving a top 30 finish to secure seeding. “And if the elite 15 worked, it would be perfect,” he added, highlighting his ambition to compete among the world’s best.
Zábystřan is the sole Czech representative in the downhill World Cup, making his achievements even more noteworthy. His success in beaver Creek is a testament to his talent and dedication, and he is sure to be one to watch in the upcoming super-G race.
Meanwhile, canadian skier Brodie Seger finished in 10th place with bib number 49.
## Czech Downhill Skiing Star rises: An Exclusive Interview with Jan Zabystřan
**World today news:** Jan, congratulations on your sensational eleventh-place finish in the season-opening downhill race at Beaver Creek! This was a truly unexpected result, especially starting as the 54th competitor. Can you tell us about your race and how you managed to achieve such a remarkable feat?
**Jan Zabystřan:** Thank you! I am incredibly happy with how things went. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting such a high placement. I focused on skiing my own race and trusting my training. The “bird of Prey” slope is challenging, but I felt good throughout the run and managed to keep my speed up.
**World Today News:** You mentioned trusting your training. Could you tell us more about your preparation for this season?
**Jan Zabystřan:** This summer, I specifically focused on improving my speed disciplines. I worked closely with our coaches and benefitted greatly from the Czech-German cooperation program. we had productive training sessions in Chile and Copper Mountain, Colorado, which helped me fine-tune my technique and gain confidence.
**World Today News:** This result is especially significant for czech downhill skiing. It’s your best World Cup finish and surpasses even Ondřej Bank’s ninth place in Wengen almost a decade ago. How does it feel to be making history for your country?
**Jan Zabystřan:** It’s a great honor to represent the Czech Republic on the international stage and push the boundaries of what’s possible for our skiers. I’m thrilled to contribute to the development of downhill skiing in the Czech Republic and inspire young athletes.
**World Today News:** What are your goals for the rest of the season? Will you be focusing solely on speed disciplines or will we see you in other events?
**jan Zabystřan:** My main focus will be on speed events like downhill and super-G. I want to continue building on this momentum and try to consistently achieve top results.However,I won’t wholly rule out participating in other events if the opportunity arises.
**World Today News:** what message would you like to share with young aspiring skiers in the Czech Republic?
**Jan Zabystřan:** Never give up on your dreams and always strive for improvement.Believe in yourself and your abilities, and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. With hard work and dedication, anything is absolutely possible.
**World Today News:** Thank you, Jan. We wish you all the best for a successful season!
