The second competition of the season in Priekuli
This weekend, on January 31 and February 1, the second stage of the Latvian cross-country skiing championship will take place in the Priekuļi Skiing and Biathlon Complex. The competition has acquired the status of the International Skiing Federation (FIS) and will simultaneously serve as a selection competition for the world junior championship. The Latvian championship season started on the second weekend of January in Sigulda. Last year, due to the lack of snow, only one competition day was held in Priekulei, during the team sprint in March.
Competition program and formats
On Saturday, January 31, the athletes will compete in the short distance in the classic style – 10 kilometers for men and 5 kilometers for women. On the other hand, on Sunday, February 1, the average distance in free style is planned, where women will have to do 10 kilometers, and men – 15 kilometers. Competitions will be held for both adults, juniors and U18 youth in FIS groups, but later in the day representatives of younger groups and Master class will also participate.
Selection criteria for the World Junior Championship
This competition is especially important for juniors who are applying for participation in the world junior championships, which will be held in Norway in March. In order to qualify for the World Junior Championships (WJCH), athletes must fulfill certain FIS points criteria or show the best results in additional selection competitions. Before that, the selection for the PJČ also took place at the first stage of the Latvian championship in Sigulda, where Valts Skujiņš and Linda Kaparkalēja won the sprint. This stage in Priekuly is included in the selection competition calendar, offering a distance in classic and free style.
World Junior Championship course and team composition
The World Junior and U-23 Cross-Country Skiing Championships will take place this year in Lillehammer, Norway, from March 1 to 8, 2026. The Latvian national team consists of four athletes for juniors – two women and two men. On the other hand, it is planned to include two athletes in the U-23 group – one woman and one man. Participation at your own expense is possible to increase the additional team composition. To qualify for a place in the national team, athletes must be citizens of the Republic of Latvia with an active FIS code and must have signed the LSF athlete’s declaration.
FIS scoring criteria and age groups
The selection for the world junior championship is based on the athletes’ FIS score list 2025/2026. in the season of the year. For juniors, the age threshold is from 2006 to 2010, and for the U-23 group – from 2003 to 2005. Women need 220 FIS points in the distance evaluation and 300 FIS points in the sprint, while men need 180 FIS points in the distance evaluation and 250 FIS points in the sprint. If more athletes meet the criterion than the expected composition, preference is given to those with lower (better) FIS points. If the number of qualified athletes is less than expected, then the best results from the additional selection competition are included in the team.
