This year, Latvian walkers, re-establishing their traditions, gathered for the season closing event “Preili Cup 2019” on October 11 and 12 in Preili.

The initiator of the competition was Latvian Olympian Modris Liepiņš, who also assumed the duties of the chief referee of the competition.

In total, 69 participants in five age groups applied for the competition. One of our country’s Olympic athlete Arnis Rumbenieks, who had represented our country at the World Championship a week before, was also the judge of style in the competition, while Olympian Agnese Pastare was in the competition. Our neighbor Lithuanian walkers also increased the number of hikers.

A few days before the competition, in cooperation with the Latgale Region Development Agency, a new trainer was installed in the framework of the interreg Latvia-Lithuania project risk-free, and the athletes under the guidance of Olympians Liepins and Rumbenieks already warmed up before the race.

Competitors competed in two disciplines, with a shorter sprint on the first day and a longer distance on the second.

There was also a meeting of coaches and leading walkers, where the issues of the next race season were discussed, the competition calendar and the criteria for the selection of Latvia were discussed.

In spite of bad weather, the race had good results and had a nice and positive atmosphere. Aivars Rumbenieks, both Olympian and long-time Latvian national coach for hiking, shared his experience with coaches and athletes on the development of hiking techniques. The results of the competition can be found on LVS homepage.

Thank you participants, coaches, our Olympians for this holiday in Preili!