From 8 to 9 February, 2012, Latvia will once again host a stage of the second best competition series in Cross -Country skiing circuit – the FIS Scandinavian Cup, and it will take place once again in skiing centre Madona.
Along with Norway, Sweden and Finland, which were initial organizers of Scandinavian cup in season of 2004/2005, Latvia became a part of hosting in 2008. Therefore it turns out to be s small anniversary, because Latvian Ski Association will organize such a high level cross country skiing competition already the fifth year. Second year in a row it will take place in skiing centre Madona, which is located in highest part of Latvia round 150km from capital Riga.
Competition program includes sprint in free technique on the first day and 15km and 30km distances with mass start for ladies and men in free style on the second day. That will be the only mass start competition from all the five stages of Scandinavian cup this season. The organizers have good and technically demanding competition course.
Also in Latvia it was very cold last weekend, nearly -30°C, but in coming days it will become warmer and temperatures should not drop below -17°C. There will be in total 150 athletes from 10 nations coming to Scandinavian Cup stages in Latvia.
Last year not only Scandinavians took part, but also participants from USA and Australia. This year Americans are coming again, taking with them Canadians also.
Scandinavian cup in Madona is to take place only two days before it continues in neighboring Estonia (Albu).
Contributed by Ivars Bacis
