The World Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Cup season will start on the Sigulda track in the second half of November, and the head coach of the Latvian bobsleigh team Sandis Prūsis and a skeleton coach Dainis Dukurs outlined their plans and events around the competition.
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The competition will take place on the Sigulda track for two consecutive weekends – from November 20 to 22 and from November 27 to 29. However, spectators will not be allowed on the track, strict inspections for all athletes and accredited persons.
Latvia can be represented in men’s bobsleigh with three crews. Brothers Martins and Tomas Dukuri will start on the track in the skeleton for men, and Andija Steel will make her debut in the World Cup for women in Sigulda.
“In Sigulda we have three starting places in men’s bobsleigh, in the first stage it could be, but I can’t say about the second one yet, because at that time it is also planned to drive and prepare for the European Cup in Winterberg,” explained Prūsis, quoted by the Latvian Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation. . “It is clear that the first is the crew of Oskars Ķibermanis, we will decide on the rest. Oskars Melbārdis is still training according to a slightly different program. This season everything is quite unique – there are 12 stages for doubles and only four crews. it may turn out that we do not drive until the New Year. That is a certain minus. “
The head coach of the Latvian skeleton team Dukurs said that the Sigulda track for the first ice is good, but the training process is sometimes hampered by moisture. “We are trying new sledges. It is already at this time, in October we had a Covid-19 test laboratory on the track. A lot has been tested, all entrants have been tested. It has also been the case that a selection of German sledges learns about one positive result on the way to us,” “We have to pay extra attention to disinfection, the flow of people on the track, training times,” said Dukurs.
Secretary General of the LBSF Zintis Ekmanis pointed out that this was an unusual situation and that organizing competitions was a big challenge. “We are all worried, but in a good way, in a positive atmosphere. I believe that everything will work out, we will do everything at the right level, as required by the rules of international federations at the time. I already have the concentration I had when I started world-class matches. , “said Ekmanis.
Janika Judeika, the director of the Sigulda stage, said: “According to the requirements of the international federation during this pandemic, everything is adapted to Latvian legislation. The requirements are that any journalist must present a negative Covid- 19 tests performed during the last 72 hours. This is to ensure a completely safe environment on the Sigulda track. “
The athletes themselves and the service staff will also have very strict requirements. Everyone arriving at the track must have a negative Covid-19 test and then again on the track will be performed an additional test provided by the mobile E.Gulbis laboratory. You have to wait for another negative result in the next eight hours and only then you can participate in any activities on the track. During the competition and training period, periodic Covid-19 tests will be performed on the Sigulda track in addition to all the regular ones.
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