For the first time in Ski Classics Pro Tour history, a sprint event takes center stage on a Friday evening. The Bedřichov Sprint, raced under the lights at the Bedřichov Ski Stadium, introduces a fast, compact, and spectator-friendly format to the Pro Tour calendar.
Bedřichov Sprint – How it works
While long-distance events are built on endurance and strategy over several hours, the Bedřichov Sprint is decided in just a few minutes. Short laps, head-to-head racing, and pure double poling make every second count.
The format offers a fresh way to look at Ski Classics, highlighting who truly stands out when speed alone decides the outcome.
Qualification – Fastest skiers advance
The competition begins with an individual qualification round. Athletes start one by one and ski two laps of the 500-meter course, covering a total distance of one kilometer. With no direct opponents on the track, the focus is entirely on speed.
The 14 fastest athletes from qualification move on, with times ranked from fastest to slowest.
Semi-finals – Head-to-head racing
The 14 qualified athletes are divided into two semi-finals, each featuring seven skiers. Unlike qualification, the semi-finals are raced head-to-head, with the athletes starting together.
Each semi-final is contested over three laps of the 500-meter loop. Positioning, timing, and tactical awareness become just as important as raw power.
From each semi-final, the first three finishers secure a direct place in the final. One additional spot is awarded to the fastest athlete outside the top three across both heats, known as the lucky loser. This ensures that not only finishing position, but also overall speed can still open the door to the final.
The final – Sprint showdown under the lights
The final brings together seven athletes for one last battle, again raced over three laps of the 500-meter course, totaling 1.5 kilometers.
With Sprint points and Champion points on the line, the intensity reaches its peak. The winner earns 100 Champion points, with points awarded down the results list, meaning the sprint directly impacts the overall Pro Tour standings.
At the Bedřichov Sprint, Premium Sprint points also play a decisive role. These points both count toward the individual Sprint Competition and are transferred to the Pro Team Competition.
In a separate sprint event, such as the Bedřichov Sprint, Premium Sprint points fully determine the Pro Team points for the day. There are no additional standard Pro Team points, such as the usual 200, 180, or 160 points awarded in other events. This places even greater emphasis on speed and sprinting ability.
As the shortest event in Ski Classics Pro Tour history, the Bedřichov Sprint adds a new dynamic to the season and rewards athletes who can combine endurance with explosive power.
As the opening act of a historic Czech weekend, the Bedřichov Sprint sets the stage for Sunday’s Jizerská50. Together, the two events showcase the full spectrum of Ski Classics racing, from high-intensity sprint battles to one of the sport’s most iconic challenges.
Also Read: All you need to know ahead of Bedřichov Sprint and Jizerská50
Map & Profile
Bedřichov Sprint – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 5
- Date: Friday, January 30, 2026
- Location: Bedřichov
- Distance: 1.5km Classic (Qualification round is 1km)
- Start Times: 15:50 CET Men and 16:30 CET Women
- Sprint: Premium Sprint
- Highest point: 752m
- Total Ascent: 31m
- Last edition winners (not Pro Tour): Anniken Gjerde Alnæs (3:23) & Alvar Myhlback (2:57)
- SC Play: Bedřichov Sprint
More information about Bedřichov Sprint can be found HERE
Bedřichov Sprint program, starts lists, live timing, and live streaming on SC Play can be foundHERE and HERE
All TV Channels Season XVII
Here is an overview of where you can watch Ski Classics Pro Tour events this winter:
- SC Play – Worldwide (English commentary)
- SVT – Sweden
- NRK – Norway
- Warner Bros. Discovery – Finland
- Sporty TV – Czech Republic (Czech TV for Bedřichov Sprint and Jizerská50)
- TVP – Poland
- Servus TV – Austria/Germany/Switzerland
- beIN Sports – Canada/USA
- Fox Sports – Australia
- TRT – Turkey
- TV3 Baltic – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)
Season XVII of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 13 events across 9 event weekends in 6 countries.
- Event 1: December 13, 2025 – Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
- Event 2: December 14, 2025 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
- Event 3: January 17, 2026 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 47km
- Event 4: January 25, 2026 – Marcialonga – Moena-Cavalese, Italy, 70km
- Event 5: January 30, 2026 – Bedřichov Sprint – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 1.5km
- Event 6: February 1, 2026 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
- Event 7: March 1, 2026 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
- Event 8: March 7, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Women – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
- Event 9: March 8, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Men – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
- Event 10: March 14, 2026 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
- Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
- Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 35km
- Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km
For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, make sure to visit skiclassics.com
Author: Leandro Lutz
Photo: ČEZ Jizerská50
