The Aldis Kļaviņš Cup remains in Latvia for the 24th time...

For retrospection, it is worth reminding that Aldis Kļaviņš, born, raised, and trained in Valmiera, is the most accomplished canoe slalom athlete in Latvia to date. Despite his sporting talent and efforts to reach his second Olympic Games, Aldis’ life was tragically cut short in a car accident in Germany, precisely in the Olympic year of 2000. This was also when the now well-established tradition began—the determination of the Aldis Kļaviņš Cup’s traveling trophy winner in the outstanding athlete’s hometown course “Krāces” in Valmiera. This year marked the 24th edition of these significant Latvian canoe slalom competitions.

Despite the fact that canoe slalom in Latvia has surpassed some European great powers (two competitions in one weekend—IMPRESSIVE!!!) in this wonderful sport, a large number of local, Lithuanian, and Estonian athletes traditionally honored the memory of our Olympian by competing in intense races on the canoe slalom course. Additionally, for the second year now, the Extreme Slalom discipline has become an indispensable part of the Aldis Kļaviņš Cup.

The excellent competition atmosphere was ensured not only by the city of Valmiera and other supporters but also by holy Peter, who contributed to the wonderful conditions. The water level was perfect, the weather for canoe slalom was ideal, the “Krāces” course was in perfect condition, and the participants’ mood was excellent… one could go on and on, but it’s time to get down to business…

The Aldis Kļaviņš traveling cup, in the prestigious MK1 (men’s single kayak) class, remains in Latvia for the TWENTY-FOURTH year (!!!). This year, it was won by Renārs Freijs, a student of the Valmiera Sports School. Here’s a question for the sharp-minded: has anyone other than the “boys” who grew up in the Valmiera rapids been able to win the Aldis Kļaviņš Cup!? Congratulations to Renārs for leaving two Estonian athletes behind and keeping the cup at home (in Latvia) for at least another year. Additionally, his name will now be permanently engraved on this prestigious traveling trophy.

In the men’s single canoe (MC1) class, there was another surprise—the return of Matīss Mežals, a master of the C1 boat class who has been “paddling” in the shadows in recent years. Once again, the traveling trophy, the crown, returns to Matīss’ possession for another year.

It should be noted that the young Estonian athlete Marie Peiker repeated her 2023 success with flying colors. This year, she won not only in her main boat class, WK1 (women’s single kayak), but also in the WC1 (women’s single canoe) class. Ironically, this parallels the atmosphere of the Olympic Games taking place in Paris on the same day, where Australia’s Jessica Fox accomplished the same feat. Congratulations to both Marie and Jessica!

The extreme slalom competition under these conditions on the Gauja River brought special satisfaction, and with two Lithuanian and two Estonian athletes on the starting ramp in the final, the most extreme and agile turned out to be Tarmo Peiker from Estonia.

Video from Extreme Slalom is here (link)

I would like to say: “See you next year!” but NO… see you already this and next weekend, as this week, the 4th and 5th stages of NordicCup 2024 in canoe slalom will take place in the city of Sindi, Estonia, and the following week, NordicCup will stop in Latvia and return with the biggest slalom competition right in Valmiera. Guests from all the Baltic countries, Finland, and Sweden are already on their way!

Extreme slalom will also be back in Valmiera—this fascinating discipline for both spectators and athletes will be featured in NordicCup 2024 on August 17th at the “Krāces” sports course. Extreme slalom ROCKS!!!

See you in the white water!

Photos from competition is here (link)

Video from Extreme Slalom is here (link)

Photos by Arvis Ertmanis:

[Aldis Kļaviņš Traveling Cup]

[Renārs Freijs at the Aldis Kļaviņš Cup 2024]

[Aldis Kļaviņš Cup 2024 Competition Winners]