Get to know: Petr Sablatura (CZE)
Apr 18, 2020·Nordic Combined
In a new weekly series, we will introduce young athletes, who made their debut on the highest international level of Nordic Combined this year.
First up as one of the possible Nordic Combined stars of the future is 18-year-old Petr Sablatura from the Czech Republic. Petr had his first start in a FIS event at the FIS Youth Cup in Oberstdorf (GER) in 2014 and returned to the German venue this winter to make his debut on the Viessmann FIS Nordic Combined World Cup. In the meantime, he spent three seasons at the Alpen- and Continental Cup and took part in three FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships.
How did you start with skiing / Nordic Combined?
I started skiing when I was maybe four or even earlier, my grandad and my mum were pulling me on rope behind themselves, and I liked it a lot. Firstly. I started to race as an Alpine skier in Harrachov Skiclub but then I discovered the fun behind cross-country skiing and ski jumping and I moved to Nordic Combined.
Why did you pick Nordic Combined as your sport, what fascinates you about it most?
Firstly I was amazed by Ski Jumping and not really by the cross-country part. I wanted to be only a ski jumper but my family, especially by my cousin Marek, who is the Head Coach of the Czech Nordic Combined team, encouraged me to go for Nordic Combined, so I went with it. Now, being a bit older, I’m glad that I chose this way because I’m in love with cross-country skiing and with training harder and harder.
What do you have to work harder on, the ski jumping or the cross-country skiing?
That’s a tricky question! (laughs) I was always better a ski jumper than cross-country skier but now it has turned the other way. So now it’s the ski jumping part that I have to focus on more. Mainly because I’m really a nervous person and I usually make silly mistakes on the hill because of it. I’d like to improve it this year.
Do you have an idol or a role model, inside or outside of Nordic Combined?
My biggest idol is my granddad, Ludvík Šablatura, who is the person which got me into skiing. He’s now 94 years old and he’s the person who pushes me and motivates me the most. I would say I’m racing for him.
And as a sports role model, it is Jason Lamy Chappuis! I still have a poster of him in my room and I would love to achieve the same as he did, but that’s gonna be tricky.
What was your greatest, most exciting moment in Nordic Combined so far?
That’s another tricky question. My first Continental Cup points this year were not too bad and also achieving the fourth place at the Alpencup in Winterberg.
But maybe even more, I think it was the first start in the World Cup this year, when I saw all the guys who are fighting for the podium, and I got the chance to race with them, it was unbelievable for me. And of course the being interviewed for the international TV signal before the competition in Oberstdorf, that was incredible! This “Mom, I was on TV!” moment was truly something when I came home! (laughs).
What are your goals for next season?
I’d like to improve my ski jumping performance. To finally stop overthinking everything and just do what I am able to. Other than that, I’d like to continue in scoring points in Continental Cup and just have fun racing.
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