Fans of Latvia will be able to follow the starts of our skiers in cross-country skiing, as the two leading men’s representatives Raimo Vīgants and Lauris Kaparkalējs will participate in the opening stage of the season, joined by Latvian championship medalist Sandijs Suhanovs, while in the women’s competition we will see the second best Latvian skier after Eidukas, Kitija Auzina.
Although not the oldest, 25-year-old Raimo Vigants is the most experienced participant of the World Cup from this quartet, who has more than 30 starts in PK stages. So far,the best performance for the 20th place winner of the Olympic Games in the sprint is one 43rd and two 44th places. Raimo has competed in Ruka for the previous three years, taking places in the seventh tenth of the large group of participants.However, in 2021 and 2022, the time gap to the leaders was less than 3 minutes for 15km and a little over two minutes for 10km, which is a very good indicator.In november 2022, 11 seconds were lost in sprint qualifying, one of raimo’s best results at the highest level.
21-year-old Lauris Kaparkalės and 28-year-old Kitija Aužinas made their World Cup debut in Ruka exactly two years ago. This year will be Lauri’s ninth and Kitty’s twelfth start at PK level.Last season, the champion of the Youth olympic Festival, Kaparkalējs pleased with Latvia’s best performance in the PK stages in the sprint, when in March Lahti was in 37th place, just one second short of the quarter-finals or top 30. In March of this year,Auziņa earned 157 FIS points in the 20km distance in another Finnish ski center,Lahti,which few Latvians have been able to achieve at the highest level.
As always, there are three days of competition in the opening stage of the season. This time it will start with a 10km interval start distance in the classics, on Saturday a sprint in the classics is planned, and on Sunday the Ruka stage will end with a 20km freestyle distance with a joint start.
How have Latvian athletes like Raimo Vīgants and Kitija Auzina prepared for the upcoming World Cup season?
Interview with Cross-Country Skiing Expert on Latvia’s Upcoming World Cup Performance
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today. With the World Cup season opening in Ruka, Latvia’s cross-country skiing scene is buzzing with excitement. Can you highlight the key athletes we’ll be watching this season?
Expert: Certainly! This season, we’ll be watching Raimo Vīgants, Lauris Kaparkalējs, Sandijs Suhanovs in the men’s category, and Kitija Auzina in the women’s competition.Raimo, at 25, is the most seasoned of the bunch with over 30 World Cup starts, while Lauris and Kitija, both in their early 20s, are building impressive resumes. Notably, Kitija is the second-best Latvian skier after Eidukas, wich adds to the anticipation.
Time.news Editor: Raimo Vīgants has had a mix of experiences in previous World Cups. how do you assess his performance, and what can we expect from him this season?
Expert: Raimo has shown consistent improvement over the years, especially with placements in the top 10 during the previous three years in Ruka. His best Olympic finish was 20th in sprint events,and valuable experience has come from finishing just under three minutes behind leaders in longer races. If he maintains this upward trajectory, we could see him in stronger positions this season.
Time.news Editor: Lauris Kaparkalējs, despite being younger, has gained significant accolades recently. What are some highlights from his career thus far that fans should look out for?
Expert: Lauris made an impressive debut in Ruka two years ago and has been on a very promising path since. His standout performance came last season when he finished 37th in a sprint event at Lahti, just missing the quarter-finals. This showcases his potential,and fans should keep an eye on him as he aims for that elusive top-30 finish this year.
Time.news Editor: Kitija Auzina has been making strides, especially with her recent FIS points achievement. Can you elaborate on her developments and prospects for the upcoming competitions?
Expert: Absolutely! Kitija’s 157 FIS points in a 20km event at Lahti are testament to her rising prowess in longer distances. Only a handful of Latvians have achieved such scores at the highest level, which speaks volumes about her potential. as she gears up for the season, her experience combined with newfound confidence could led to remarkable outcomes.
Time.news Editor: The World Cup format features an exciting opening stage with various race types. How essential are these events for building momentum early in the season?
Expert: The frist three days are crucial as they set the tone for the season. With a 10km classical interval start, a classic sprint, and a 20km freestyle joint start, athletes establish their strengths across different styles. Strong performances here can boost confidence and rankings, impacting subsequent races significantly.
Time.news Editor: What practical advice would you give to young skiers watching these athletes, looking to follow in their footsteps?
Expert: My advice for aspiring skiers would be to focus on consistent training, embracing competition as a platform for improvement.Watching these elite athletes can guide their practice techniques. Building resilience and learning from both wins and losses are just as important in this sport.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your insights! As the World Cup unfolds, it will surely be exciting to see how these Latvian athletes perform and what they can achieve this season.
Expert: Thank you for having me! The enthusiasm around these events leads to fantastic performances, and the world will be watching closely as Latvia competes on this grand stage.