Cross-Country skier Katerina Smutna will be wearing a Czech national flag on her head gear next season. After 10 years competiting for Austria, Smutna has decided to come back.

“I’m very happy everything has worked out well. I’m looking forward to the Czech team, I hope I will help Czech girls,” Smutna said to www.czech-ski.com.

Born in the north of Bohemia in Jablonec nad Nisou, Smutna competed for Austria since 2006, took part in two Olympic Winter Games and five World Ski Championships. Since last winter Smutna is also member of the professional private team Santander and won Vasaloppet 2016.

Smutna had planned to ski again for the Czech Cross-Country team earlier. Since spring things were agreed with the Czech Ski Association. It was the FIS Council who gave Smutna the final approval during the FIS Congress in Mexico.

After having received the positive news, Smutna joined the Czech national team at the training camp in Santa Caterina, Italy. The Czech ladies’ team is newly led by Smutna’s coach Radim Duda. “I’m really looking foreward to the great team spirit. I believe I can help other girls on the team in training, give them some advices and motivate them not be afraid to work hard, Smutna said.

The off-season training period has just begun and there is a lot of time before season starts again. However, Smutna can’t wait to compete again for the Czech Republic. “It will be a dream-come-true moment when I will start in the World Cup with the Czech flag. I hope I will be in a good shape. I’m really looking forward to it,” Smutna concluded.

Source: fis-ski.com