3194 starts altogether made Rīga Orienteering Week 2016 with runners from 15 countries – Denmark, Norway, Finland. Russia, Estonia, Belarus, Lithuania, the Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Germany, Israel, Great Britain and Latvia.
The weather was not favourable at all – rain, hail and snow were continuously taking turns occasionally allowing a rare ray of sun to come out. Despite the challenging conditions, numerous orienteering enthusiasts did not back out. Our foreign guests also managed to enjoy Riga sigtseeing tour presented as usually by our partner Jēkaba Ceļojumi Agency.
All the week long hazardous competitions took place between orienteers of all ages and qualifications, starting from relatively simple and less challenging courses at “Magnēts” afternoon events. On Thursday, April 21, “Sporta studija” program from Latvian TV visited “Magnēts” event to find out Kas ir Magnēts? (What is “Magnēts”?). The culmination of the week, however, was Saturday and Sunday at Riekstukalns in Baldone Municipality. Exciting, well managed, effectively shown races offered the adventure not only to those racing, but also to numerous fans, who could follow the performance via the Internet on their computers, tablets and smart phones. GPS tracking, interviews, translation from forest tracks and controls, commented by experts of orienteering were available on the big screen in the event centre. The atmosphere was abundant with predictions, forecasts, possible outcomes, hazard and emotions both in the area and hopefully near the distant computer screens. This year Live streaming was available with the help of LMT Straume channel, which was a giant leap in the development of orienteering as visible and recognisable activity that is not hidden in the deep woods anymore.
The first day was a WRE event for WE and ME classes. WE was won by Sandra Paužaite (Lithuania) with Inga Dambe (Latvia) and Anna Dvorianskaia (Russia) as the second and the third.
Men Elite class was won by Latvian Artūrs Pauliņš with Dmitry Tsvetkov in the silver position while the third place was a draw between Martynas Tirlikas (Lithuania) and Andrey Salin (Belarus). The dense scores promised a tough competition on the chasing day and the prediction came true. Ladies were first to start. There were not only the three mentioned among those aiming for the overall victory but also Aija Skrastiņa (Latvia), Kristīne Bertuka (Latvia), Elīna Svilpe (Latvia) and Kirti Rebane (Estonia). Both the stress and course layout made the impact on the performance. One can hardly escape small, but crucial mistakes. Finally, Sandra Paužaite and Inga Dambe maintained their positions, but Aija Skrastiņa manged to reach the bronze shifting Anna Dvorianskaia to the fourth place. Kristīne Bertuka was the fifth, while Elīna Svilpe the sixth.
There were more Men Elite class competitors who still could fight for the podium and their start positions were less scattered: Artūrs Pauliņš (Latvia), twice World champion Dimitry Tsvetkov (Russia), Martynas Tirlikas (Lithuania), Andrey Salin (Belarus), Dimitry Mikhalkin (Belarus), Yuri Kirianov (Russia), Jānis Kūms (Latvia), Artjoms Rekuņenko (Latvia) and Henrikas Paužas (Lithuania). As the start referees commented later, even the atmosphere around the start line was somewhat electrified. Again none of the leaders could avoid small mistakes, but at the spectators’control a trio of possible winners - Andrey Salin, Artūrs Pauliņš and Dimitry Tsvetkov had separated from the group. Who of them will be able to withstand the pressure and keep their mind clear for the final tactical decisions? This time the success was with Andrey Salin, Artūrs stumbled some steps before the last control and the rhythm was broken. Three seconds lost was the price of the victory. Dimitry Tsvetkov did not manage to perform a decisive spurt and got to the third step of the podium. Martynas Tirlikas took the 4th position, Dimitry Mikhalkin – the 5th, Jānis Kūms the 6th.
The numerous guests from abroad added to the usual routine of Latvian Cup events and made the competition much more exciting and spectacular. We hope the the number of foreign orienteers will continue growing from year to year.
When the battles were over, many of the foreign competitors expressed their positive feedback about the pleasurable experience. Both the organization and the terrain were highly appreciated pointing out that the terrains suited the highest standards of complexity for world-class events. Still there are a lot of aspects to be improved.
The organizers would like to thank everybody for coming, participation, endurance and involvement in this celebration of orienteering! We were happy to work for you! See you again at Rīga O-Week 2017!
Special thanks to our supporters and partners Rīgas domes Izglītības, kultūras un sporta departaments, Latvijas valsts meži, Baldone Municipality Council, Tõnis Erm and Sportrec, Saimon Harston, Janeta Turka and jsh.Radio, Video centre, LMT Straume, Latnet, Ivars Valtass and SIA Norde, “OS veikals” shop, the extra competent duo of commentators - Andris Rupais and Jānis Krūmiņš, our video group led by Andis Sipjāgins, our devoted photographers - Guna Hainovska and Vija Šiltere. And not less special thanks to all helpers from “Auseklis”club – big and small ones!
Rīga Cup 2016 results, split times, graphs, GPS tracking, Routegadget, photos and video HERE
