Together with the international competitions, young people of different ages also competed for one day in the Madona center, determining the medal winners in 12 groups. The oldest were S and V18 (2005/2006), and the youngest – S and V 10 (2013 and younger). Just like in the PK stage and PJČ, also in the Latvian championship, young people in sprint freestyle had to do the same 200m distance on a small hill on Raina Street.
Since the age groups were adjusted to FIS or international rules, this year it turns out that the same group representatives compete with each other, only by name, one in the oldest group. The two youngest groups, SV10 and SV12, had only one race, after which the medal winners were determined, while the other youth groups had a qualifying race, after which the top eight were selected for the semi-finals, and at the very end, the top four competed in the final.
Among the nine participants in the V18 group, the title of last year’s V16 group winner was defended by local resident Rainers Upenieks from Madonia, who later made it to the sixteenth round of the quarter-finals at the adult World Cup stage and ranked 13th. For the second year in a row, Rūdis Bishers, who replaced last year’s bronze with silver, was in the top three. Even though he showed the 6th time in the qualification, Bruno Bīritis from Madonia won the bronze in the final in an intense fight, who in 2021 was behind the top three in fourth place and who now devotes more time to rowing. Therefore, Pēteris Lukstiņas, who won two silvers in the classical and skating distances in Priekuļi a month ago, had to settle for 4th place and being without a medal, but getting into the final four is still a success, because last year the Riga native finished in the eighth place in the semi-finals.
Only four girls competed in the S18 group, so the finals immediately followed the qualifications. Adriana Šuminska from Kráslav, who showed the best time in the qualification (27.99 seconds, which would give her a place in the quarterfinals of the junior championship – author’s note), celebrated her victory in the final as well, adding a second medal of the same coin in the sprint to the gold medal a month ago in the classics. The second place was won by Madonie Madona Veckalniņa, who was left without a prize in the sprint last year, who missed the first stage in Priekulių. The bronze was earned by Adriana Osmane from Riga, who was third a month ago in the freestyle distance. Although she finished fourth, Raimo Vigant’s sister Lauma won the best place this season. Focusing on the start of the world junior championship, one of the group leaders, Linda Kaparkalėja, did not participate this time. Madoniete later entered the top ten at the World Junior Sprint Championships.
Bruno Bilans remained undefeated in the V16 group on both days in Priekulės, but this time the leader of this summer’s group from Sigulda had to settle for second place in an intense battle, as last year’s title was defended among 29 participants by Rūdolfs Raudziņš, who thus has a full set of medals in three starts this summer. By the way, last year Bilans ranked 6th in Raini Street. Kristaps Paio from Sigulda, who missed the first stage a month ago, completed the trio and won the first medal this summer. Thus, the BJSS representative Indriķis Circens, who won bronze and silver in July, and who was third in the sprint last year, was out of the top three this time in fourth place, because the tip of the stick broke during the final race.
Last year’s winner Amēlija Zaķe (Cēsis) did not participate in the S16 group for girls (15 participants). The victory was won by last year’s runner-up, Elsa’s younger sister Stella Bleidele (Cēsu PSS), earning her second medal this year. This year, the second medal was also won by Martine Djatkoviča from Crasova, who took the second place. Meanwhile, the first prize this year was won by Laura Alziņa, representative of Cēsis SS, where she was also third in the sprint last year.
In the V14 group (26 participants), the convincing leader of the qualification and last year’s winner Gunters Bērziņš from Madona fell in the semi-finals, so the chances of victory opened up for others. It was used by the winner of this year’s classic distance, Ernests Skride (Cēsis), leaving behind Valtas Skujiņas from Riga, who won bronze in the skating distance in July, and Valtas Vuškānas, who won the first prize.
For girls in the S14 group, the title was defended by Lāsma Beķere from Madonia, who won again this year in the freestyle distance. Dārta Škēle, who reached the finals last year but remained in 4th place, continued to collect medals in every start this year, winning silver in the sprint. Sabīne Grudule, who finished just behind the final line in fifth place in 2021, but last weekend earned her second bronze this year, rounded off the award-winning trio of women from Madonia. 4th place is the best result this year for Kerry Kremer, who won bronze last year.
In the V12 group for boys, the same three players took the podium this time as well, only the first two place winners changed places this time. Gustavs Bērziņš celebrated the victory, Artūrs Zaķis won the second place, and as always Rūdolfs Šķēle completed the top three. For the girls, the group leader and last year’s winner Dārta Ruļukas did not take part, only Cēsi town SS students occupied the top three. Sandija Dūmiņa earned her second victory this season, while Elsa Krastiņa won the third silver. By the way, both were not among the top three in the sprint last year. Nellija Puriņa completed the trio and earned the first prize this year.
Miķelis Klimovičs and Adrian Avens secured a double victory for the boys in the V10 group, earning the first prizes, while Ernests Berkold of Gulbene BJSS/SK “Lejasciems” took the first prize. Rebekah Martinova, who won two victories in Priekuly for the girls, had to take second place, as Ance Arama from Madonia was the fastest, while Maija Putāne from Riga, who won the second place in the classic, completed the award-winning trio in an extremely similar battle, just 0.02 seconds ahead of Agati Pavāris from Madonia.
