The 2026 orienteering relay season concluded last Sunday at the base of the Zvārtes iezis cliff in Latvia, where the Cēsu Stafetes event crowned the final relay champions across 20 age categories. Serving as the ultimate points-paying showdown of the Latvian Relay Cup circuit, the competition drew ten teams from the Azimuts OK-Sm BJSS club alone, with four squads breaking into the podium positions.
The event, held against the backdrop of one of Latvia’s most prominent geological landmarks, resolved the season-long standings for clubs and tandems alike. While the day brought celebration for multiple veteran and youth squads, it also highlighted the fine margins of the sport when a misread control cost one young team its shot at a result.
Podium Finishes Highlight Club Depth
Azimuts OK-Sm BJSS converted its heavy turnout into tangible success, placing four teams inside the top three across various age brackets. In the M-195 category, the veteran combination of Dainis Bormanis, Jānis Biezais, and Jānis Nulle secured second place. A parallel silver-medal performance came in the M-145 class, powered by Andris Lapiņš, Mārtiņš Godiņš, and Otārs Putrālis.
Third-place finishes rounded out the club’s podium count. The M-170 trio of Māris Stabiņš, Aigars Dudelis, and Atis Kalējs claimed bronze, matching the result of the M-14 youth squad featuring Rafaels Ērglis, Artūrs Ozoliņš, and Eduards Zariņš. Close behind the podium spots, fourth-place results went to the M-170 team of Pēteris Kokarēvičs, Māris Zeiļuks, and Māris Vabulnieks, as well as the W-170 women’s lineup of Gunta Dudele, Dace Ikšele, and Ieva Godiņa.
Sixth-place finishes across the day’s events included the W-12 trio of Līga Gulbe, Elīza Ševcova, and Marta Ieva Zariņa; the W-14 team of Dārta Pauliņa, Laima Puriņa, and Tīna Zeiļuka; the M-16 squad consisting of Artis Harkins, Kārlis Štrauss, and Mārtiņš Plakanis; and a combined W-18 collaborative entry representing OK Azimuts and OK Alūksne through Kristīne Rudzīte, Madara Jaunzema, and Kitija Abula.
Costly Mistake Derails Youth Bid
The pressure of high-stakes relay racing caught up with the M-12 division during the opening leg. In the heat of competition, the starting runner for the Azimuts OK-Sm BJSS young squad punched an incorrect control point, leading to a disqualification that left the team without a recorded finish. Full classification data and splits from the Zvārtes iezis races remain accessible through the official Latvian Orienteering Federation results portal.
Cup Standings and Year-End Protocol
Beyond the day’s race outcomes, cumulative standings for the 2026 Latvian Relay Cup solidified several top-tier finishes for Azimuts OK-Sm BJSS. The S-170 women’s lineup of Gunta Dudele, Dace Ikšele, and Ieva Godiņa captured second place overall in the season standings. Meanwhile, third-place season trophies went to both the M-14 team—comprising Rūdolfs Zetmanis, Rafaels Ērglis, Eduards Zariņš, Roberts Zirdziņš, and Artūrs Ozoliņš—and the M-145 squad of Raivis Kalniņš, Mārtiņš Godiņš, Otārs Putrālis, Aivis Zetmanis, Atis Kalējs, and Andris Lapiņš.
Official recognition and awards for the overall Latvian Relay Cup winners will be distributed during the annual LOF gala scheduled for December.
Upcoming Fall Championships Schedule
The conclusion of the relay calendar marks the final stretch of the 2026 orienteering year in Latvia. The final national championship takes place on Oct. 2, shifting focus to nighttime navigation and technical precision in the dark. The season officially concludes two days later on Sunday, Oct. 4, with a mass-start event at the Siguldas Rudens competition. Further details and scheduling updates are maintained by the Latvian Orienteering Federation.
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