The final stage of the fifth season of the Rogaining series was held in cooperation with the municipality of the city of Riga and the shopping center “Ozols”, as well as with the support of Intervals.lv, Isostar, Garmin, Gerble, Kokmuiža and “Magnesia”. The organizers offered the participants, according to their abilities and wishes, the usual team distances - 6h Garmin, 4h Kokmuižas and 2h Isostar rogaining distances, as well as individual 3h MTB and rogaining run 2h (O-Run) and rogaining walk for children.
From TC ”Ozols” a large part of the participants in the longest distances reached the extreme northern points at Ulūpije and Upeslejė in the Ropaži district, going through Ulbrokai and Saurieų, the role of the Big points also had to cross the Small Jugla river, reaching the Saurieų reservoir, where the peninsula had to be on a steep embankment . Of course, how can we do without the summer cottage village Rūkiši in Salaspils county, after which this section got its name and where the postal address is “Sniegbaltīte”.
Already in the evening and night of the previous day, the participants realized that the weather would be extreme – strong rain and hail “came to the rescue” from time to time. But that didn’t deter adventurers like the Rogainers. A rather strong line-up had also gathered for the last stage.
In the “GARMIN” 6h distance, where around 90 teams and 200 participants competed, a convincing victory was celebrated by Sigmund Bieber in a new tandem with Valdi Rosenthal (Laid mums tur laimē diet), who reached all 50 control points, thereby collecting the maximum amount of 200 points. The next team was already 30 points away. The second place was won by Gatis Chirka and Arnis Grasis (Others), who managed to win the season overall. The trio with 164 points was completed by a pair of orienteers and the best MIX team Salvis and Ilona Daģe (Dejavu). Not starting on Saturday prevented “Riga adventure team” from taking first place.
Meanwhile, the sixth result for the best women’s team in the stage (158 points) and also in the overall standings for Madara Apsalone and Aleksandra Fyodorova, who arrived at the finish with the end of the time limit. 119 points gave the victory in the family competition to “Klinšu erglim” – Ilze and Ralf Slaide and Edgar Klintis. Although this time there was not such a rich harvest of points, occupying the 13th place in the overall standings, Aigars Šuvčans and Zane Gruberti (Bebri nesnauž) won the overall title for the mixed teams.
“KOKMUIŽAS” had the largest representation in the 4h distance, with more than 100 teams competing and more than 200 participants. The expected victory in the stage with 134 points and also the rise to the leading positions in the absolute rating and in their MIX category were secured by Sandis Zukulis and Elīna Petrovska (Cascade of Mistakes). The next six were very similarly fought men’s teams, of which Aivars Hemmelis/Sergejs Briedis (Retreat in the forest) and Māris Heinols/Armands Broks (ExValcēnieši) entered the top three in the absolute ranking. Both of these teams collected 129 points, but Heinol and Brock exceeded the time limit a little, so they separated by four points, the second place in the overall standings and the best status in the men’s category went to Hemmel and Briedi. On the other hand, the best men’s team of the season was Valters Weiss and Artūrs Kančs (Necūko meža), who took 6th place in the stage.
Eduards Pāķis and Sniedze Brakovska (Đaži city), who were leading before this stage, took the third place in the absolute rating and the second place in the Mix at the end, but they were eighth in the stage. On the other hand, Aiga Kalniņa and Ieva Godiņa (BR3
In the family competition, the best with 61 points was the Baloži family from Đadaži – Sandra, Mārtiņš and Emīlija.
In the “TC OZOLS” 2h distance, in the competition of 50 teams, the superiority of the Lithuanians “Sakas one” (Vladas Kutiavinas, Mantas Pocevičius) was manifested, who only exceeded the 60-point limit (61 points) and also won the overall title, relegating the leaders up to this stage, Uldi, to second place Pormeistaru and Gunārs Ozoliņu (LV Bārdas), who tried the 4-hour distance this time, entering the top ten. In this stage, two men’s teams fought very intensely for the second place with a point difference (56 and 55), “Eagles” (Guy Sabo, Edgars Tiltanovs) ahead of last year’s O-run leaders Jānis Dūkas and Kristaps Gādmanis (Gold miners).
The best representatives of Mix, Kārlis and Daina Stonkas (Team А) ranked right behind the trio in fourth place with 51 points, but they did not get the five necessary starts for the overall ranking, so in the mixed team competition, the overall title went to Gat Osvald and Lāsma Ozola (LOGO). For women, Ilze Roķe and Māra Ozola (Lauktozītes) remained unbeaten both in the stage and in the overall standings, however, in the stage ”Žubites” (Zane Kapteine, Laura Anševica) were only one point behind them. In the family competition, the Birznieki family named “Pytonieši” also won by one point.
in the 3h MTB distance, even though he thought that someone could overtake him because he did not have the maximum performance, however, for the third time in the season, one of our two leading MTB orienteers and the 19th place winner of the European Championship in the sprint, Mārtiņš Linde, was the winner for the third time, but got 158 points and was 8 points ahead of Aivi Zetmani, who competed in the European MTBO Championship this year and also in 2022. The top three was completed by another all-round orienteer, Tom Waits (148 points). Although this time he ranked only 9th, Raitis Muižnieks had already secured the overall victory before this stage, followed by Valdis Kokiris and Eduard Rēns at a distance of almost one hundred points.
In the women’s stage and in the overall standings, the first place went to Lithuanian Renata Pauųskienei, but the best of ours both on Saturday and in the overall standings was the second place winner Dina Zobena, who had fierce competition from the third place winner Aiga Strazdiņa. Last year’s winner Inese Kauķe is 4th place this year.
In the two-hour O-run with the same number of points (59), Guntars Mankus, who spent less time at the distance, in a very intense battle, overtook Miķelis Zumberga, who secured the overall victory, displacing Jānis Užulis, who finished 4th in the stage, to second place, one point behind Oskar Zimmermans, who returned to the rogaining competition after a long break. Anita Užule convincingly won the stage and overall ranking for women, repeating last year’s success. Annija Zaļaiskalnas and Anžela Šapavalova took the second and third place in the rogaining of seven dwarves with a difference of one point, who has the status of vice-leader in the overall standings, where Anete Dārta Rožkalne, who started cautiously in the last stage, rounded out the top three.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Rogaining Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome! Thank you for joining us to discuss the recent thrilling final stage of the fifth season of the Rogaining series held in Riga. It sounds like an incredible event! Can you share some insights on what makes rogaining so appealing to participants?
Expert: Absolutely! Rogaining combines navigation and endurance, attracting adventure enthusiasts who enjoy challenging themselves in the great outdoors. The concept is straightforward: teams navigate through various checkpoints within a set time frame. The thrill lies in both the strategy of route selection and the physical challenges each team faces.
Editor: It certainly sounds intriguing! This year’s event included several different categories, from the 6-hour Garmin distance to a 2-hour event for children. How do these variations cater to varying levels of experience among participants?
Expert: That’s one of the strengths of rogaining. By offering multiple distances and categories, it invites everyone from seasoned athletes to families with kids. The longer distances, like the Garmin 6-hour route featuring about 90 teams this time, really challenge advanced competitors, while events like the 2-hour O-Run make it accessible for youngsters and casual participants. It’s about fostering a love for exploration, regardless of experience.
Editor: Speaking of challenges, participants faced some extreme weather conditions during the event, including rain and hail. How do such conditions impact performance and strategy?
Expert: Weather can significantly affect navigation and physical stamina. Rain turning to hail can make terrain slippery and visibility be reduced, adding an extra layer of difficulty. Experienced teams often adapt their strategies, maybe opting for shorter routes or maximizing periods when the weather calms. It separates the more seasoned rogainers from the less experienced, showcasing their improvisation skills under duress.
Editor: Fascinating! Let’s talk about the results. Sigmund Bieber and Valdi Rosenthal topped the 6-hour Garmin distance, claiming victory with all 50 control points. What do you think contributed to their success?
Expert: Their success can be attributed to a mixture of teamwork, strategic planning, and perhaps experience navigating the terrains of Riga. They not only collected the maximum 200 points but also demonstrated superior pacing to complete the course efficiently. Maintaining a strong, consistent pace is essential in rogaining, especially when aiming for all control points within a limited timeframe.
Editor: It’s impressive how teamwork plays such a crucial role! The family competition also saw a remarkable performance from the Baloži family. What impact do you think family participation has on the sport?
Expert: Family participation is vital! It nurtures a loving outdoor culture, helping children develop an appreciation for nature, physical activity, and teamwork. It creates lasting memories while allowing families to bond. The visibility of family teams also encourages more families to take part in future events, broadening the sport’s appeal.
Editor: With so many enthusiastic participants, including a strong turnout from the Lithuanian team in the 2-hour distance, do you see rogaining’s popularity growing in the Baltics?
Expert: Absolutely! Events like these foster a community spirit among participants, spurring interest in future competitions. With teams traveling across borders, it boosts camaraderie and rivalry alike. As more people recognize the mental and physical benefits of orienteering and rogaining, I believe we’ll see an even larger fan base in the Baltics and beyond.
Editor: That’s encouraging to hear! Before we wrap up, any parting thoughts for those considering joining the rogaining community for the next season?
Expert: I would encourage anyone to dive in! Start with a shorter distance, gather a team, and enjoy the process of exploration and competition. It’s a fantastic way to test your limits, build memories with friends and family, and connect with nature. Plus, you might just discover a new passion for adventure!
Editor: Thank you for your insights! It’s enlightening to hear about the intricacies of rogaining, and I can’t wait to see how the community evolves in the coming seasons!