Jaunumi

Last Saturday and Sunday in the first stage of Baltic cup in alpine skiing at Druskininki (Lithuania) the men’s slalom both days were convincingly won by Latvian slalom specialist Kristaps Zvejnieks, but on the ladies side Olympic slalom 30th place winner Lelde Gasuna was unbeaten on Saturday, but on Sunday main favourite dropped out already on the first run and her younger sister Evelina Gasuna grabbed the victory. First stage totally gathered more than 160 competitors form five countries. Also three youth groups and the “Master” group competed in Druskininki.

Last weekend in “Snow arena” in Lithuanian city Druskininki took part the first stage of Baltic cup in alpine skiing, which was organised by Lithuanian Ski federation and Latvian Ski Asociation. This is inaugural season of three stage Baltic cup, because previous six seasons only one stage was held in Suomutunturi  (Finland) in March.  “Snow arena” is located in deep south of the country and is the winter activities sports complex, which has is opened all year round, therefore can provide opportunity to organised alpine skiing competition early in autumn while the winter with the snow has not approached.

Snow Arena, Druskininkai

The course for competition was made close to the World cup level with hard and icy surface, causing some problems for younger skier who have used to softer snow surface. Some of the leading alpine skiers used this competition as the preparation for the upcoming World cup race this weekend in the Finland’s Levi. In the first stage of Baltic cup took part 161 athlete from five countries – Latvia, Lithuania, Estonian, Belorussia and Russia. Youth groups – U12, U14, U16 and “Master” made two, but elite and juniors U21 made three runs on the 450m long course with vertical drop of 46m.

Latvian Kristaps Zvejnieks showed his strength and experience on icy surfaces and won both days convincingly - three and a half seconds ahead of the field on the first day, and more than 5 seconds ahead on the second day. His brother Miks Zvejnieks was in stable second place on Saturday, securing the double victory for the family, but on Sunday he did not finish the first run. Daniels Fogelis showed consistency and improvement and well deserved the second place. Speed specialist Roberts Rode completed the “whole Latvian podium” on Saturday, but on the second day he made a mistake on the second from the three runs and at the end missed just eight hundreds of the second to the podium. However Lithuanians could finally celebrate because their best alpine skier Rokas Zaveckas could squeeze in the medal position. Cherstin brothers from Belarus were in top10 both days.

Kristaps Zvejnieks trasē

In the ladies competition on the first day sisters Gasunas were far ahead of others and were closely fighting for the win. Lelde was faster on the 1st and 3rd run and beat Evelina by half a second. Ieva Meldere were close to both sister on the 2nd and 3rd run, but made a mistake of the first run and lost more than 5 seconds to the winner. Lelde Gasuna on the second day dropped out in the first run, but Evelina Gasuna and Ieva Meldere moved one position higher and earned accordingly first and second place. Third was 31st place winner in Sochi Super-G Agnese Aboltina, who could have secured  podium place also on the first day, but she did not finish the third run, while lying in the third position after the first two runs. Best local alpine skier Ieva Januskeviciute was just behind the podium on both occasions, but lost to top3 seven seconds.

Lelde Gasūna trasē

In other groups Latvia took all victories, while Belarus earning 4 medals, but Lithuania two. Next stage of the Baltic cup will take place on 21st and 22nd February in Sigulda (Latvia), but last third stage with four disciplines will be held in third week of March in Suomutunturi. Both last two stages will include FIS races in slalom.

Latvian National news about Blatic Cup 2015 1st Round in Snow Arena