Vasks said that the Latvian adult national team will start the season with four less people.
“We have come to the conclusion that we should focus on the biggest talents and the most promising athletes. That’s why there are 13 athletes and five coaches in the main team,” said Vasks.
He stated that several athletes have left the team for various reasons. Sigita Bērziņa has finished her career as a luge driver, but has started working as a coach of the Latvian national team. Also, several women’s doubles have broken up – Sanija Ozoliņa and Viktorija Ziediņa will not go, and Franceska Bona is also no longer in the team.
The previous team leaders have remained – Kristers Aparjods, Mārtiņš Bots/Roberts Plūme, Elīna Ieva Bota and Kendija Aparjods.
“The line-up is good and the chances to compete for medals are excellent,” says Vasks.
He assured that “the main mechanic and the main technical innovator is still Mārtiņš Rubenis”, the general manager – Daniels Fogelis, the physical training and starting coach – Zintis Šaicāns, while Inārs Kivlenieks and Sandris Bērziņš take care of both driving and sledding.
Vasks also revealed that after lengthy discussions at the beginning of the summer, the team has returned to a model without a head coach.
“Shaičans is still in charge of physical training and starting pitching, but he will also work in the youth and junior teams, because we see that the involvement of experienced coaches from the bottom of the pyramid is necessary,” emphasized the LKSF president.
He reminded that a part-time cooperation agreement has been concluded with the German coach Jan Eichhorn, who has worked with leading German athletes Julia Taubitz and Max Langenhan.
“The long-term goal of this cooperation is for us to be as competitive as possible,” explains Vasks. “Eihorn is a versatile coach who will support the improvement of the team’s physical and technical preparation by participating in both stages of the German circuit in Oberhof, the European Championship in the German circuit in Winterberg and the World Championship in the Canadian circuit in Whistler.”
At the end of October, the German joined the Latvian national team in Sigulda for a week, where he took part in both track training and sled technique development, as well as physical training.
He emphasized that he had done well in summer and autumn. In autumn, many trips have been made on the Sigulda circuit, as well as a training camp on the Norwegian circuit in Lillehammer.
“We hope for good results throughout the season, but the main competition will be the world championship in early February in Whistler,” says the LKSF president.
This season, after the world championship, luge riders will go to the World Cup stages in South Korea, where they have not started since 2018, and in China.
The World Cup season will start with a stage at the Norwegian circuit in Lillehammer, which will take place from November 30 to December 1. Having completed nine stages in the season, the World Cup season will end on February 22 and 23 at the Yangqing track in China. On January 4 and 5, the fourth stage of the competition will take place on the Sigulda track.
The European Championship will be held on January 18 and 19 during the sixth stage of the World Cup at the Winterberg track in Germany, while the World Championship will be hosted by the Whistler track in Canada from February 6 to 8.
How does Dainis Vasks plan to nurture young talent within the Latvian luge program?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Luge Expert Dainis Vasks
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, Dainis! Thank you for joining us today. It’s an exciting time for the Latvian luge team as you prepare for the upcoming season. Can you start by sharing what prompted the decision to start the season with a smaller team of just 13 athletes?
Dainis Vasks: Good afternoon! Absolutely. The decision to focus on a smaller roster was strategic. After careful consideration, we concluded that concentrating on the biggest talents and most promising athletes would yield better results in competitions. This way, we can dedicate more resources and attention to those who have the potential to shine.
Time.news Editor: It’s interesting to hear that approach. I understand that some athletes have departed—can you tell us about that?
Dainis Vasks: Yes, indeed. Sigita Bērziņa has shifted her focus from competing to coaching, which is fantastic as she brings valuable experience to the team. Additionally, we faced some challenges with women’s doubles teams. Sanija Ozoliņa and Viktorija Ziediņa have decided not to continue, and Franceska Bona is also no longer part of the team. Change can be tough, but it allows us to bring fresh talent into the fold.
Time.news Editor: With this new lineup, who are the athletes we should look out for?
Dainis Vasks: We still have our previous leaders: Kristers Aparjods, Mārtiņš Bots, and Roberts Plūme on the men’s side, along with Elīna Ieva Bota and Kendija Aparjods leading the women. They are all seasoned competitors, and their experience will be crucial as we aim for medals in the upcoming events.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned your chances for medals. What gives you confidence about this season?
Dainis Vasks: I believe that our training methods and the experience of our athletes will make a significant impact. The combination of talent, experience, and our focused coaching staff gives us a solid foundation. We have a great team behind us, including Mārtiņš Rubenis, who excels in mechanics and technical innovation, and Zintis Šaicāns, who is taking charge of physical training. Their dedication has elevated our game.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like a solid structure. I also read that you’ve moved back to a model without a head coach. What benefits does this structure provide?
Dainis Vasks: This model allows for a more collaborative approach. Each coach brings unique strengths to the table, and without a single head coach, we can all share responsibility and insights more freely. Zintis will also be actively involved with our youth and junior teams, which is crucial for nurturing young talent. Having experienced coaches at all levels ensures a stronger pipeline for the future.
Time.news Editor: That makes perfect sense. And I hear you’ve also collaborated with German coach Jan Eichhorn. What does that partnership entail for your team?
Dainis Vasks: We have a part-time cooperation agreement with Jan, which is invaluable. His experience with top German athletes like Julia Taubitz and Max Langenhan will help us elevate our physical and technical training. Jan’s role is to share best practices and strategies, especially as we participate in the German circuit. Our long-term goal is to ensure we’re as competitive as possible on the international stage.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like you have a robust plan in place! What’s your outlook on the season ahead?
Dainis Vasks: I’m optimistic. Despite the changes, I believe our current lineup, support system, and strategic partnerships position us well to compete at the highest levels. Our focus is on continuous improvement and pushing the boundaries of what our athletes can achieve. I’m excited to see how this season unfolds.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dainis, for sharing your insights today. Best of luck to you and the entire Latvian luge team this season!
Dainis Vasks: Thank you for having me! We appreciate your support and look forward to making our country proud on the international stage.