The competitions, held in the Italian mountain village hosting World Cup events and Olympic competitions, follow the world championships held earlier in the month in Madona.
Senior and Junior Sprint Success in Valdifiemme
She qualified in third place before finishing behind only previous champion Alba Mortagna of Italy in the final. In the U18 category, Alise Plāte reached the quarterfinals and placed eighth following strong performances in Madona.
Valts Skujiņš secured the second podium finish for the team, competing in the junior division after skipping the Madona world championships. Skujiņš advanced to the semifinals and defeated world championship bronze medalist Eliot Mauri of France in the third-place small final. Mauri had previously eliminated siguldietis Bruno Bilāns in the quarterfinals; Bilāns had qualified in third place and ultimately finished sixth.
Elite Performances in Mass Start and Sprint Rounds
According to the Latvian Skiing Federation, madonieši Raimo Vīgants and Lauris Kaparkalējs both advanced to the top six in the senior division, finishing fifth and sixth respectively after losing their quarterfinal heats to experienced international opponents. Vīgants faced two-time world champion and Italian veteran Alessio Berlanda, while Lauris Kaparkalējs competed against three-time world silver medalist Justein Olafsen of Norway.
In the junior women’s competition, Lāsma Beķere reached the quarterfinal round as the sole Latvian qualifier, recording the eighth-fastest time in qualifications. That placement forced a matchup against world junior champion Emilie Liu of Norway, resulting in an eighth-place finish. Amēlija Zaķe and Adriana Šuminska both finished in the top ten in their respective categories.
Distance Racing Results on Friday
According to the Latvian Skiing Federation, Indriķis Circens led the distance squad on Friday by placing fifth in the junior 10km classical mass start. Šuminska finished sixth in the senior women’s race, while Vīgants and Linda Kaparkalēja both secured seventh-place finishes in the senior categories.
Did you know? Valdifiemme serves as a premier training and competition hub in Italy, hosting both World Cup roller skiing stages and major winter Olympic events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the senior women’s sprint in Valdifiemme?
According to the Latvian Skiing Federation, Italy’s Alba Mortagna won the final, while Latvia’s Linda Kaparkalēja finished second.
Where did the roller skiing world championships take place earlier in the month?
According to the Latvian Skiing Federation, the world championships were held in Madona, Latvia.
How did Valts Skujiņš perform in the junior sprint?
According to the Latvian Skiing Federation, Skujiņš reached the junior semifinals and won the third-place small final against France’s Eliot Mauri.
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