Give so much ice – it doesn’t matter whether to ride on it with a sledge or to drill holes and fish. Two such different things, but both have a special place in the heart of Kristers Aparjodas, the leader of the Latvian men’s luge sports team.
Latvian Television’s “Sports studio” met Aparjoda on the ice of the lake, and the athlete was happy about the opportunity to devote some time to his hobby during the Olympic competition season.
“It is that [kamaniņu] the season starts before winter. The real winter comes in January and February, maybe for a month if you’re lucky. When we [kamaniņās] the season ends and we return, then all the ice has already melted,” explained Aparjod.
Ice fishing attracts Aparjoda with both excitement and a sense of freedom.
“Winter fishing is really something that I find very interesting and exciting. Especially if you manage to catch some more fish, then you get really excited,” explained Aparjod. “If only the fact that you can climb on the ice and walk. It’s your own world too – go where you want! Here, imagine that you want to drill an abalone there. Why exactly there? I don’t know. That’s the feeling.”
“Sports studio” together with Kristera caught the perch between the competitions. Patience, skill and even creativity – this is what Krister can take from fishing to his sports career.
“The pikeperch requires a more active game than he is a predator. He likes to be challenged and irritated,” Aparjod revealed his experience as an ice fisherman. “Oh, there was a little bit, but I probably got mad too fast.”
Andris Auziņš: Maybe this is the case for you on the luge track as well – drive and tell yourself that you went a little too fast?
Christer Aparjod: You know, I think that sometimes. It used to not be like that, but when the years go by, it is often the case that you plan some things, even while driving on the track. That’s so interesting. When you drive on the track, make a mistake, then think that you made a mistake.”
Are there any nuances that are useful for you on the ice of the lake and then also on the ice of the track?
“Maybe it’s the game more, because the game is also different. Rhythm, flow – it’s different for each track. You have to be able to adapt to that track. Likewise on ice – you have to be able to adapt to the perch, the fish that the fish wants,” explained Aparjod.
The passion for fishing helps in another important aspect – to learn about nature. Before getting into sledding, Krister’s great passion was orienteering, running through all the forests of Latvia.
On the toboggan run, even a tenth of the air temperature can change everything, but you can also understand the biggest predictable changes yourself. The start of the World Cup stage in Sigulda was modest for Aparjoda on the first day in cold weather. It may even have been a step backwards.
Aparjod assessed the 7th place in the stage with the eye of an ice fisherman, saying that it is just like a kis.
“That’s the first thought that came to my mind – such a sneeze. I also felt a bit of a sneeze,” admitted Aparjod.
The main start for the lugers will be in a month at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games, and the failure in the competition at home gives a lot to think about.
“Honestly, I’m not really sure what I’m going to ride with,” Aparjod revealed, reflecting on the choice of Olympic equipment. “It will be driven, but what has been made, manufactured and built at the moment shows good trends. To put it bluntly, something slower or better will not be real for the time being.”
As a fisherman, Aparjod’s biggest record is a roach weighing 400 grams, and he estimates that the weight of an Olympic medal is very similar.
“Some 470 grams, if I remember correctly,” said the luge athlete.
The real cope this season for Aparjoda will be at the Olympic Games in Cortina.
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