"I can finally stay home all day," - hockey player Kaspars Daugaviņš enjoys family idyll in his paradise

So far, he, like other hockey players and thousands of fans of this sport, has spent the beginning of May in the so-called spring madness – the ice hockey world championship. But this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was canceled. “Of course, I crave hockey, but it seems that this is my first vacation in fifteen years,” Kaspars Daugaviņš is happy to spend the spring with his wife Santa and daughters – Adeli (one year left in March) and four-and-a-half-year-old Amanda. to the magazine “Kas Jauns” kindly showing your family idyll.

For several years now, the hockey player has settled in a quiet village in the German Mountains surrounded by Little Jugla, his relatives live in the neighborhood, including Kaspars’ father’s brother, lawyer Andris Daugaviņš, who received the “Big Kristaps” award for his role in the film “Criminal Excellence Foundation”.

Feels best at home

Also in the previous two years, Kaspars did not play in the world championship and was at home – he underwent surgery two years ago, but last year he was injured in a test game shortly before the tournament itself. “It simply came to our notice then. First the operation, but last spring I spent every day training with the team. So it seems like this spring, spent completely at home, is my first time in a hockey career. And in general – since I met my wife, we haven’t had so many holidays together, “Daugaviņš calculates, and to the objection that this time is like a honeymoon for them, he sincerely laughs:” Almost! Even on wedding anniversaries, we have never been together. ”

Kaspars and Santa Daugaviņš got married on July 14, 2013, but around July 10, the hockey player always started training camps for the next season. “Then it turns out that two or three days before the wedding anniversary, I was already leaving. That is why we have even organized wedding anniversaries earlier – so that at least there is something to celebrate, ”says Kaspars.

However, this year is completely different, and Kaspars is happy that he can finally be with his daughters during the day. “It really is an indescribable pleasure – to see her grow up. For example, Amanda and I saw her at birth and then did not see her for six months at all, except when I ran for a day and a half in the New Year. Fortunately, it was different with Adeli, because most of us have been together – last season the whole family lived with me in Moscow, “says the hockey player, saying:” On the one hand, it is unfortunate that there are now virus restrictions – could be with children go to attractions, squares, pools, movies … But, on the other hand, if there were no virus, you would have to play hockey. Now, from time to time, I wonder what I would do if there was no hockey or virus, because Amanda is already at the age when we can all do a lot of interesting things together. For example, at the end of May, we had planned a trip that would be an exciting adventure. Although here at home, it is very nice. I even complain a little about this situation because I can be in my backyard. This is usually very rare. In fact, neither the resorts nor the South Sea islands replace this stay for me here, at home, among my pines, in my backyard, by my pool. And mowing the lawn is the best meditation for me. ”

Home sports stars in the spring of 2020

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Two weeks in quarantine

Daugaviņš managed to return home on March 15 and decided to spend 14 days in quarantine voluntarily. “At that time, Russia was not yet included in the list of countries that had to go to quarantine, but well-known doctors advised not to take unnecessary risks. I decided to go in isolation for safety. I was sitting alone at home, because Santa and his daughters had already gone to the countryside a month before, ”says Kaspars, saying that these two weeks were unusual:“ I felt like I was completely 18 again when I lived alone. I live according to my schedule, my order. The only downside is that I couldn’t get out of the yard. But there was no fault. If something was needed, it was taken care of either by neighbors or relatives. Otherwise – I slept, rested, thought. The only thing that depresses me is I long for the children. ”

Kaspars also makes no secret of the fact that during the 14 days spent in quarantine, he managed to complete the postponed work, for which he never had time. One of them – cleaned the roof of the house from moss. “I did not do it alone. I climbed to the roof, tried to do something, but realized – no, I need experienced specialists here. Well, the roof drainage system has finally been cleaned, the roof is treated with anti-moss material. It is the greatest joy. Just like about the tiles, which I finally cleaned of all moss, ”says the hockey player, adding that during this time not only the lawn was cleaned, but also the hedge was trimmed.

There is no ice

But doesn’t Kaspars Daugaviņš long for hockey? “Of course I miss you! The World Cup was our daily hockey dessert. No matter what the playing schedule, we always went out on the field with a kaifu. All this atmosphere, fans … It’s hard to tell, but for us hockey players, the world championship is a holiday, we are honored to play under the Latvian flag. Wake up in the morning, and at the hotel you will already be greeted by a group of fans who will accompany you to trainings, games … And what you do in the games is something special! Of course, it imposes an additional burden, but that’s why we’re already playing! ” Daugaviņš answers, saying that he has already started a week of physical training with the other guys in the team.

“At least we meet, we maintain a lively spirit. We are preparing, but we do not really know who we are preparing for! But no one knows what the next season will be like, or it will be at all … Stupid … But do nothing – it’s even stupider. I have to maintain my physical shape, but I long for ice, and hopefully in a week I will be able to train in ice halls. Because you can be in the best physical shape, but if you have not skated for a long time, then its shape will make little sense. Running in the woods is one, but skating on ice, in the cold air – quite another. I’ve really noticed that you can run as much as you want, you can ride a bike at least on the “Tour de France”, but after a long break on the ice, the skating speed is not close to what is usually during the season, “explains Kaspars. and read that he was unable to lose weight during those months.

“Usually in the hockey off-season I have always lost weight by about ten kilograms. But now it is not, I am still in the weight of my “battle” – games. Well, there is no way to turn it off so that it would be comfortable to train and “train” my body with loads. I’ve even started eating less, but I’m not losing weight. This will be the first summer when my body’s behavior is completely different than before. I would probably get old, ”laughs Daugaviņš.

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You will fight for your place to the end

Speaking of age, Kaspars is aware that he is already 32 years old and he is approaching the status of a hockey veteran. Is he ready to give way to the young? Because, for example, Daugaviņš himself won his place in the national team with a fight – he, a 17-year-old boy, defeated one of the national team veterans Aleksandrs Semjonovs in training before his debut in the world championship.

“I tried to prove myself, and I got to fight in training,” Daugavins remembers the 14-year-old events, adding: “He” ran in “as a new man, but I didn’t owe the answer. And then he scolded me, I situ in front of him. We clung so deeply – we broke up for a minute until we were separated. I was 17 at the time, then I didn’t know what was right or what wasn’t. But I was determined to win my place in the national team, no matter what it took me. Maybe it was my only chance, maybe it also helped – who knows? But that’s not why I’ll fight a national team veteran. I then have great respect for Semyonov. And even now I respect, we met in Estonia a year ago, we chatted. By the way, fights in training are not uncommon. Sometimes there are even four to five grips in a workout. That’s what hockey is. But outside the field, all this is forgotten. ”

Now Kaspars Daugaviņš himself is one of the leaders of the team. And he does not rule out that the time will come when a young man will appear, who will try to take his place. “I look forward to it, because sooner or later it will happen. I know it will! However, I will not give up – come and try to be better than me! I will fight to the end and I will simply not give up my place in the team! I will fight it with a fight and give it back with a fight, “smiles Kaspars Daugaviņš and after a moment seriously adds:” In sports, after the virus, a lot will probably change. No one is secure about their future anymore. It is clear that in a limited financial situation, teams will give preference to new players. For the time being, I can still compete both physically and with experience, but it is possible that my career may end sooner than I expected. So now I work double so that the new ones can’t compete with me. And not yet! ”