The Army of the Czech Republic International Outdoor Polyathlon Winter Survival 2009 arranged by the University of Defence for the Czech military forces, thoroughly tested soldiers’ abilities and skills learnt in special physical training courses. Most of them took their physical capacity and mental strength to the bottom during the endurance stage. In addition, the last stage of the championship required speed more than anything else.

The mass start to the relay race took place in the vicinity of Kurzovní Hotel. On the start shot the first-leg athletes ran to the ski storage area, put the skis on and continued along the marked track. The three kilometres of the perfectly prepared track were covered with frozen snow and the thermometer showed seven degrees below zero.

There were two rounds in both the individual and team relay that included a paramilitary event intermission of dummy grenade precision throw. The winning team of the race was for University of Defence I. The favoured teams’ ranking in this race adumbrated their final standing position in the championship. The total sum of points collected in the championship and the relay race thus decided on podium positions.

The 15th Army of the Czech Republic International Outdoor Polyathlon Winter Survival 2009 are captain Ludek Cicmanec, staff sergeant Jan Tancibudek and sergeant Petr Cisar for the first team of the University of Defence collecting the total of 1382 points. “We wanted to enjoy the race and we did. We are happy we’ve won and delight the feeling,” reviewed captain Cicmanec.

After fierce struggle for the second place, the silver medals were won by staff sergeants Jaroslav Hermanek, Jan Migdau and Michal Zavrel for the military branch of Charles University’s Faculty of Physical Education and Sport team gaining 1067 points. 22nd Air Force Base’s first lieutenant Martin Hanacek, first lieutenant Radek Hlavaty and staff sergeant David Stanek reached the well deserved bronze medals for 1012 points.

Fifteen of the seventeen teams finished difficult Winter Survival. The best foreign forces team in this unique competition was for German 233rd mountain rangers battalion of Mittenwald who finished fifth. It is a big success when compared to their 16th place last year.