Last weekend for 5th year in a row international longboard race ‘’Madona longboard challenge’’ was held, which was the 1st race of this years Latvian downhill longboarding series.
On the first day downhill was held – in Masters group Lukas Kirkilionis from Lithuania was unstopable, fallowed by locals Edžus Konošonoks and Artjoms Smirnovs.
In ladies group Lauma Stepanova took the top spot, Liene Bērziņa was 2nd and Alīna Garejeva was 3rd.
In junior group Kristers Ivanovs was first, fallowed by Gustavs Rullis.
In OPEN group things got complicated – Kārlis Karlsons took top spot in quali fallowed by last years last race podium finishers – Toms Dreiblats, Mārtiņš Kivlinieks and Gustavs Gailītis. In qualification 5th was Kirkilionis, 6th Edvardas Lunys, fallowed by Balamovskis brothers – Kaspars and Klāvs. 9th was Justinas Nargela, but 10th Ernests Liepiņš, who pushed Ralfs Gailītis out of top10.
Finals turned everything upside down – Nargela felt and didn’t make it to top16, but in top16 Kirkilionis and Gustavs Gailītis tangled in start, leaving last 4 years winner in gravel and out of semifinal or top8.
In small final Klāvs Balamovskis grabbed 5th spot, fallowed by Dreiblats, Kivlinieks and Dubovikas.
In big final it was a fight till the finish – Lunys won the race, Karlsons took 2nd and after a crash with Kirkilionis, Kaspars Balamovskis grabbed last podium spot finishing 3rd!
On second day in skate&shoot Dreiblats was took the honors, fallowed by Lithuanians Kirkilionis and Dubovikas. In slide jam Kivlinieks was crowned the best!
This race was held in honor of Arguts Skudrēns – Latvian boardsports legend, who passed away few days ago – rest in peace!
Race was organized by ‘’RipoShop.lv’’, sponsored by ‘’NRJ reklāmai’’, ‘’Ponolau’’, festival ‘’PLAYGROUND’’,’’JJ boards’’, ‘’Born to Ride’’.
Next race of Latvian downhill longboarding series will happen on 4-5th June and will be held in Cēsis Olympic center ‘’Priekuļi’’ – https://www.facebook.com/events/1564835310484065/ – see you there!
