Ledecká’s Olympic Schedule Change “Absolutely Unrealistic,” Says Czech Skiing Official
Jan Fiedler, the Alpine disciplines sports director for the Czech Ski Union, stated that a change to triple Olympic champion Ester Ledecká’s schedule for the Milan and Cortina D’Ampezzo Games - specifically, competing in both skiing and parallel giant slalom snowboarding – is highly improbable.
Both events currently fall on Sunday, Febuary 8th. “I think changes in terms are absolutely unrealistic,” Fiedler explained. “Tickets are sold, everything is fixed in the Olympic program. Two years ago we could speculate that the change would happen, but now I think it is absolutely unrealistic. It can only change the weather.”
The logistical challenges also contribute to the unlikelihood of a change, with downhill skiing events scheduled for Cortina and snowboarding in Livigno, approximately six hours apart by car. Ledecká had previously discussed potential schedule adjustments with International Olympic Commitee President Kirst Coventry.
The Alpine program continues on February 10th with a team combination event in the slalom, followed by the Super-G two days later.
Fiedler indicated that starting with the combination event before snowboarding would be feasible. “It is a bit offered. It would be possible to do it.Snowboard will be left, the next day there is training for a combination congress and then there is a team combination,” he said. However, he emphasized that the final decision rests with Ledecká and her team’s tactical choices.
He also noted the advantage Ledecká has competing on the ski slope, given her regular participation in World Cup events there. ”Even though Ester knows it, as it goes there in the World Cup every year, it is indeed to make it the surface, what the specifications of the planning are, is certainly an advantage,” Fiedler added.
Currently,the 30-year-old Ledecká is completing her primary training block in Chile and is expected to return to the Czech Republic in the coming days. Fiedler expressed confidence in her preparation, stating, “I no Ester ends its most critically important training block in Chile.From the available information I know, I know that the training has been prosperous. most of the days it was planned as they were scheduled. I believe it will be very well prepared for the season.”
Ledecká has secured Olympic gold in snowboarding in both 2018 and 2022, and won the Super-G in skiing at the 2018 Games.She has also achieved two World Cup victories in slalom and earned a silver medal at this year’s World Championship.