Report from the Valašsko Championship - competition for the Mayor's Pipe

On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the 22nd edition of the Valašsko Championship in slow pipe smoking for the Mayor's Pipe took place in Valašské Meziříčí. 

The traditional meeting organized by the Valašský Fajfklub was hosted, as usual, by M-club in the Žerotín Castle. Competitors smoked with tobacco Stanislaw & Valašský Fajfklub 310 Blue Leader in their own competition pipe of billiard type – Savinelli 101.

The event once again confirmed that slow pipe smoking is not just a technical discipline, but especially a social event with an unforgettable atmosphere. The invitation itself promised not only the competition itself but also the traditional contest for the most original pipe rest and a presentation on the theme of "Pipe in Music," which only highlighted the unique character of the entire event.

After long research and searching for pipes in music and partial success with the found pieces by J. S. Bach and his So oft ich meine Tobackspfeife and Petr Spálený's song Dýmka je zázrak (link to the song can be found here), the authors of the presentation had to resort to their own variations of texts to the melodies "My steam engine" and "Škoda lásky". The interpretation was performed by the club choir, which celebrated such a worldwide success with the songs that it was invited to the largest international stages. "Steam engine" was conceived as a multi-voiced piece involving the southern and northern parts of the competitors in the role of rhythmic accompaniment.

The Valašsko competition in slow pipe smoking offered very high-quality performances, and a strong lineup gathered at the top of the results list. The winner was the local Jiří Janků from the Valašský Fajfklub, who achieved an excellent time of 1:33:33. Second place was claimed by Michal Hubacz from PC Dymka.net with a time of 1:17:00. Third place went to Jozef Šulgan from PC Nitra, who maintained the smoldering tobacco for 1:14:58. Fourth place was taken by Denis Adam from Pipe Club Nové Mesto nad Váhom with a time of 1:14:12, and fifth place belonged to Martin Štěpánek from PC Stříbrný groš Kutná Hora, who achieved a time of 1:11:10.
A look at the top five shows how balanced this year's championship was. While Jiří Janků managed to pull ahead of his competitors by nearly a quarter of an hour and was the only one to break the hour and a half mark, the next four places were decided by mere seconds and minutes. As usual, the order on the winners' podium was determined not only by experience but also by the ability to remain calm and a sense of working with the pipe until the very last moments.

The local Valašský Fajfklub could thus have double the joy; not only did they prepare another beautiful year of the beloved competition, but Jura Janků also took the highest step.

The Valašsko Championship for the Mayor's Pipe thus confirmed its reputation this year as a competition that combines tradition, friendly meetings in a beautiful castle environment, and also an entertaining accompanying program.

We thank Zdenka Pšenčík for the great photos (black and white) and Martin Štěpánek (in color).