The fourth stage of the FIS Latvian Championship roller skiing in the ski and biathlon center “Cēsis” gathered nearly two and a half hundred athletes. The competition took place over the weekend, the first day the athletes competed in the short distance in the classic style, the second in the middle distance in the freestyle.
In the Latvian Championship, every distance is a fight not only for individual awards, but also for ranking points in the summer season standings, including team rating. For many years, the fight for the team’s victory has been ranked between Cesis City Sports School (CPSS) and Madona Sports School, so coaches are also a tactical issue to get as many points as many points as much as possible.
Last summer, CPSS celebrated victory, but last winter’s season was Madona BJSS skiers.
This summer, before this fourth round, the leaders were Cēsis, overtaking Madonians by more than 1000 points. As the situation has changed, we will see it after a while, but on our track, CPSS athletes were very good, which could mean that the leading position will have been preserved and everything will decide in the final stage.
Our biathlonist Baiba Bendika, Esther Wolf and Elza Bloodel also entered the start, and in the women’s competition, the main fight was between them. In the short distance, E.Volfa was faster in the classic style, ahead of B. Bendika by 14.5 seconds and E. Bleidele for 41.4 seconds, ranked second and third respectively. Elizabeth Slotina behind them.
Now, biathlonists are on this track another training cycle in preparation for the Olympic season and take advantage of the opportunity to start in the race to get the dose of adrenaline, which is difficult to get in training.
Baiba Bendika is not worried about second place, as the main thing is to participate, to get the racing pulse, each start is being done when thinking about the upcoming winter season. Asked if biathlonists also go to the classic step in training, B. Bendika admits that this is very often: “In my opinion, this is important, especially for hand force, the classic step is very good.”
Although this is a roller skiing championship, we talked with B. Bendik about biathlon because athletes are all about the Olympic season, Baiba will have the third Winter Olympics. Are they greater than usual before they are worried?
“We biathlonists have the World Championship every year, now there is one main goal for each season to prepare for more special. Of course, the Olympics are a slightly more special event.”
It is now known that Bendika’s road sign is in hand, others will have to fight for the place. There are criteria where the IBU rank points can be won, the selection time is on December 20th.
Baiba points out that the road sign allows the entire training process to be subordinated to the Olympics, which removes some tension and excitement if the start of the season fails as they would like.
As a reminder, the previous winter season was not too successful for Baiba. Are there reasons? The athlete says he tried to forget it by putting all the accent on training: “It was also clear that the problems were with the shooting, because I was physically in good shape, we know what we know, know what to do.
We return to the Roller Ski Championship of students and Cēsis.
In the V18 group, Silver Medal for Rudolfs Raudzins, who lost only 1.9 seconds to winner Valt Skujin from the sports school “Arkadia”. Ernest Skride in fourth place. In the S18 group until the pedestal failed to reach, Annija Krieviņa was in 5th place, Amelija Zaķe – 6.
In the V16 group, the bronze medal for Gustav Berzins, but Arthur Zaķis showed the fifth result. Madona and Ogre athletes took the first place in the S16 group, but in the next four places, CPSS students – Adele Šļeziņa, Sendija Dūmiņa, Zane Salmiņa and Nellija Puriņa.
Gundars Cālītis in second place in the V14 group, 5th – Janis Lingarts, 6 – Otto Air. In the S14 group, the bronze medal was won by Elza Krastiņa and 5th – Martha Brence.
Fiercing the victory in the V12 group, however, was Mick Klimovich faster, ahead of Madona by 1.6 seconds. Oto Selga in third place. Alice Krastiņa won the S12 group and Louise Spalviņa in the second.
Photo: Dāvis Veckalniņš
The most intense fight in the group- the first five places for the new roller skiers, the winner was slow, Madara Skele, the third- Elizabeth Circene, the fourth- Maija Apine, the fifth- Alice Rogozina.
The first three places in the V50 group, where Ivo Caune, the second, Maris Zariņš, the third, Uģis Danchauskis, also won.
In the middle distance in the freestyle, Bendika confirmed in the women’s competition that she was superior to the younger competitors in this step, winning a convincing victory. E. Wolf – Second, E. Bleidele – Third, E. Slotiņa – Fourth.
Ernest Yekimov finished the top six in the V20 group. V18 group was again won by Riga V. Skujiņš, second place – Ernests Skride, third – R. Raķins.
In the S18 group the first Keith Marcinkevich from Sigulda, the second – A. Krieviņa, the third – L. Alzina, 5th – A. Zaķe.
V16 group 4 – A. Zaķis, 6 – Armands Gulbis. In the S16 group, bronze medal A. Schlzins, 5 – N. Puriņa, 6. – Z. Salmiņa.
In the V14 group, the title of champion G. Cālītis, but O. Air finished in 5th place. Up to the last meters, the fight for victory in the S14 group, where only 0.3 seconds was separated by E. Krastiņš from the first place, and this time silver.
However, the most intense fight in the V12 group, where Mr Klimovich remained second this time, losing 0.1 (!) A second to the winner. Everyone can think about how 0.1 seconds, one moment, but this moment this time was worth the gold. 4th place O. Selga.
Double victory in S12 group, where the first Louise Spalviņa, the second – A. Krastiņa.
In the S10 group this time too, first place for CPSS young athletes, the first – M. Skele, the second – M. Apine, third – L. Spalviņa, fourth – A. Rogozina, Fifth – E. Circene.
All the podium in the V50 group, where I. Caune, the second M. Zariņš, the third – U. Danchauskis.
The final, fifth round of the Latvian Championship in early September will also be clear whether CPSS will be able to secure victory in team rating.
Roller Skiing Championship: Key Results and Standings
The FIS Latvian Championship roller skiing event in Cēsis showcased extraordinary performances across various age groups and disciplines. Here’s a snapshot of the key results, reflecting the competitiveness and talent on display:
| Category | Discipline | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | Notable Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V50 | Classic & Freestyle | Ivo Caune | Maris Zariņš | Uģis Danchauskis | Caune dominated both disciplines, demonstrating exceptional endurance and technical skill. |
| women’s (Freestyle) | Middle Distance | Baiba Bendika | E. Wolf | E. Bleidele | Bendika, demonstrating her superior fitness, was victorious. |
| V18 | Multiple disciplines | Valt Skujin (Riga) | Rudolfs raudzins | (Not Specified) | Skujin’s performance reflects the strength of Riga’s roller skiing training. |
| V16 | Multiple Disciplines | (Madona/Ogre) | (Madona/Ogre) | Gustav Berzins | CPSS secures numerous top spots in the S16 category showcasing team dominance. |
| S14 | Multiple Disciplines | (Not Specified) | Elza Krastiņa | Martha Brence | Krastiņa’s close race highlights the intense competition in this category, separated by a mere 0.3 seconds. |
Team Standings Update: Heading into the final round of the Latvian Championship, Cēsis City Sports School (CPSS) holds a important lead.The season’s outcome will be decided in the final stage of the competition scheduled for early september.
Roller Skiing Championship FAQs
here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the FIS Latvian Championship roller skiing event:
What is roller skiing?
Roller skiing is a dry-land training method that simulates cross-country skiing. It involves using roller skis, wich have wheels, along with poles to propel athletes across various terrains. [[1]] Roller skiing helps maintain and improve the athletes’ physical condition, technical skills, and competition readiness during the off-season, ensuring they remain in peak physical condition for competitive events.
Who participated in the Cēsis roller skiing event?
The event hosted nearly two and a half hundred athletes across multiple age groups and both genders.This mix of participants underscores the appeal of roller skiing among athletes as competitive sports. Participants of this event included both seasoned athletes and aspiring youth.
What were the main disciplines at the Cēsis event?
The event featured a short distance in the classic style and a middle distance in the freestyle. Thes varied disciplines add to the championship’s requirements, forcing athletes to demonstrate both speed and endurance.[[2]]
What are the key rivalries in the Latvian Championship?
The competition for the team title highlights the rivalry between Cēsis City Sports School (CPSS) and Madona Sports School. This rivalry has been a core part of the Latvian Championship, with CPSS looking strong this year. [[3]]
How does roller skiing benefit biathlon athletes?
Roller skiing provides a valuable opportunity for biathlon athletes such as Baiba Bendika to maintain their fitness and refine their skills in a race environment, getting “racing pulse” and experience that is difficult to attain through training alone and preparing for the Olympic season. The classic style, in particular, is beneficial for hand force progress.
When and where is the final round of the championship?
The final, fifth round of the Latvian Championship is in early September.The exact location will be in Cēsis and everyone will know which team will secure victory in the team rating by the end of the competition, to see if CPSS will be able to secure victory in team rating.
