Updating on Jacek and Joseph

October 31, 2008

Two years ago we published an article with the title “Assiduous Worldloppet Skiers”. It concerned three Members who had accomplished at least one complete Master in one season, Jacek Jaskowiak (POL), Joseph Luce (FRA) and Shoji Satsuma (JPN). How did they perform during the past season? We have no news from Shoji, but Jacek and Joseph continued brilliantly their WL career. For biographic data and pictures of Jacek and Joseph, please consult the above article.

Jacek obtained his second and third Masters in 2008. His program was dense:
-Bedrichovská Tricitka, 30 km FT
-Jizerská Padesátka, 50 km CT
-Dolomitenlauf, 42 km CT and 42 km FT
-Marcialonga, 70 km CT
-La Transjurassienne, 50 km CT and 50 km FT
-Finlandia Hiihto 50 km CT and 50 km FT
-Halvvasan 45 km CT, Skejtvasan 30 km FT and Vasaloppet 90 km CT
-Engadin Ski Marathon 42 km FT
-Birkebeinerrennet 54 km CT
During the past two years Jacek has been training intensively under the guidance of Tomasz Kalužny, one of the best XC skiers in Poland. The training program was designed scientifically, starting with a physical efficiency test in the Sports Institute in Warsaw; indeed it was necessary to establish the appropriate pulse rates for the training. No wonder that Jacek’s results show spectacular improvements. For example Jizerská Padesátka took 6 hours in 2004, 5 hours in 2006 and 4 hours in 2008. Jacek began skating only in 2006. In 2007 Engadin took 3.16, this year 2.33.
Jacek intends to improve his technique, that’s where his biggest reserves for improvement are. For that he needs more runs on snow. He says that compromises are really needed if you want to combine professional work, training and races. Jacek has learnt that delegating work in his business is productive. He hopes that his son will be ready in a few years to take over his company so that he can spend more time on training and races.
Jacek plans to complete his fourth and fifth Masters within two years.

Joseph  reduced a little bit the level of his engagement in 2007, and skied three races: Kangaroohoppet, Engadin and Sapporo. In November 2007 an accident provoked a hematoma in his left calf and a synovial extravasation in his right knee. Thanks to efficient medical care he was able to begin the reeducation on snow around Christmas. With his flowery style he described the joy that he experienced when meeting his friends on the WL circuit in January:  the magic of XC skiing and maybe Odin had operated! Joseph’s winter included:
-Jizerská Padesátka
-Dolomitenlauf
-Marcialonga
-Koenig-Ludwig-Lauf
-La Transjurassienne
-American Birkebeiner
-Birkebeinerrennet.
Joseph obtained his second Master. He is satisfied with his season. Without the cancellation of Tartu Maraton he would have obtained also the Global WL Skier status.
For the coming season Joseph has made two major decisions:
1) To begin rowing as a training method. Joseph met a few rowers last winter and was impressed by their performances. Easily convinced, he signed up in a rowing club and decided also to practice rowing at home assiduously.
2) To try a certain number of double events (Saturday + Sunday).
He will keep us informed about the new synergy.

This page was last revised on February 20, 2009