Valmiera Championship / Gauja Cup Canoe Slalom 2025

On May 24, 2025, the Valmiera Championship / Gauja Cup in canoe slalom took place at the “Krāces” slalom course in Valmiera. It was the first competition of the season at this venue, bringing together top athletes from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
Despite continuous rain and elevated water levels in the Gauja River, the competition was successfully held, and athletes praised the efforts of the organizers. The heavy rain had made the river challenging with powerful currents and difficult water obstacles, testing the athletes’ technical skills and mental resilience, especially for the younger competitors.
Dozens of participants took part – experienced national team members, medalists, and promising young talents from Valmiera, Ozolnieki, Liepāja, and Riga. Athletes from Lithuania and Estonia also actively competed for podium positions.
One of the surprises came from young Valmiera Sports School athlete Ilze Bieziņa, who performed strongly in the K1 women’s class qualifiers, surpassing several favorites. However, a penalty in the final run left her in 5th place overall.
The K1 men’s final was intense, with several athletes making errors. Renārs Freijs of Valmiera placed second after a minor mistake cost him valuable seconds. The winner was Leonards Pāvilsons from Ozolnieki with a clean and fast run.
In the C1 men’s class, Krišs Ozols of Valmiera’s “Straume” club won for the third consecutive year, defending his title and the traveling Gauja Cup.
In the women’s K1 and C1 events, Marie Peiker of Estonia stood out, claiming both titles and outperforming 2024’s K1 champion Elizabete Kurvina from Liepāja.

Overall winners – Valmiera Championship / Gauja Cup 2025:
K1 Men:
1st – Leonards Pāvilsons (Ozolnieki)
2nd – Renārs Freijs (Valmiera)
3rd – Linards Laidiņš (Ozolnieki)

C1 Men:
1st – Krišs Ozols (Valmiera)
2nd – Aivars Eiduks (Brīvie ūdeņi)
3rd – Eduards Sloka (Valmiera)

K1 Women:
1st – Marie Peiker (SK Pirita, Estonia)
2nd – Elizabete Andra Kurvina (Liepāja)
3rd – Veronika Šalaševičiūtė-Turbinova (Lithuania)

C1 Women:
1st – Marie Peiker (SK Pirita, Estonia)
2nd – Veronika Šalaševičiūtė-Turbinova (Lithuania)
3rd – Ilze Bieziņa (Valmiera)

Organizers and supporters:
Organized by the Latvian Canoe Association in cooperation with Valmiera Sports School and the “Straume” club, with support from the Valmiera municipality.
Supported by: Austris store, AnabolicShop.eu, Cereta.lv, Zaķumuižas ūdens, Valmieras stikla šķiedra, Magnesium Diasporal Latvia, Rocket Bean Roastery, IBS birija tehnika, Balta Insurance, and others.

Photo gallery and results:
https://failiem.lv/LatvijasKanoeAsociacija#vfx3rjgb9f