Dobry, Dobra. Praha, Pivo. Skoda, Ski… Czech words running through my head as I reach the doorstep of a house in Nove Mesto. Martin Koukal {www.martinkoukal.cz}, 2003 World Champion of the 50 kilometer (32 mile) skate - greats me at the door, welcoming me inside for Christmas Eve dinner.
Outside its 36 degrees and raining. Outside the ski trails have transformed into a soft, sloppy mess, making the afternoon’s two-hour distance workout a rough go. Now, though, life is good. One could even say good as life can be on Christmas Eve when outside the country, away from family.
Sitting down beside a decorated evergreen, a decisive question is posed, “Beer or wine?” The Czech Republic, the country home to the most distilleries worldwide, is paradise for pilsner purveyors. “Beer,” I answer. The reply? “Good choice.” A half-liter Stavopramen, my reward.
Nystad, Koos, Loefshus, Newell.
Also joining the Koukal family are Andy Newell and Vidar Loefshus. Conversation bounces around, hitting everything from mountaineering 8,000 meters above sea level to tele skiing to stories about our hometowns – hours pass by unnoticed from being so absorbed in the exchange.
The doorbell rings. Martin’s younger brother, Peter, a national team hockey player and his gorgeous girlfriend arrive from Prague, just in time for dinner. Czechs don’t play baseball or football. Soccer is big, but hockey is king. And, yes, it seems Jaromic Jagr and Co have serious pull in the Republic.
A traditional Czech Christmas Eve dinner of fresh carp and schnitzel follows before our goodbyes. On the road, following the Euro-centric World Cup, chasing the Olympic dream, too many hours are spent in hotel rooms watching German Eurosport or driving long distances between race venues in Estonia, Northern Sweden or in the Eastern European countryside. But come race day, meeting the Martin Koukal’s of the world, spending nights like this, it’s all worth it. It comes back to you – this is your dream. And, you’re living it.
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Four days later, Newell and I would get just enough over our jetlag to finish 15th and 19th in the Nove Mesto, CZE. I might remember the race. But I’ll never forget the night.
Canmore, AB. Men's sprint heat (PVimage).