Kaparkaleja and Bilāns become world champions in roller skiing on home soil in Madona
On the third day of the FIS Roller Ski World Championships in Madona, Latvian athletes won two gold medals and one bronze in the 200-metre super sprint.
The Latvian city of Madona hosted the third day of competition at the FIS Roller Ski World Championships and World Junior Championships on Saturday, and the results proved highly successful for the home team.
Gold for Kaparkaleja in the women's race
In the women's elite 200-metre super sprint final, Linda Kaparkaleja claimed a convincing victory, becoming world champion in her home city of Madona. Norway's Ragnhild Ārekola took silver, while Croatia's Tena Hadžiča finished third. Other Latvian competitors also performed well: Alise Plāte reached the quarterfinals and finished the championship in ninth place, while Adriana Šuminska placed tenth.
Bilāns crowned junior world champion
In the men's junior category, Bruno Bilāns won gold and the world junior champion title. Two French athletes joined him on the podium — Levi Morī took silver and Eliot Morī bronze. Another Latvian, Rūdolfs Raudziņš, reached the final but finished fourth, narrowly missing out on a medal.
Bronze in the men's elite race
Latvia's medal tally grew further as Lauris Kaparkalējs won bronze in the men's elite final after a tight battle with the world's top sprint specialists. Italy's Emanuele Bekiss became world champion, with compatriot Michele Valerio taking second place.
Overall, on the third day of competition, Latvian roller skiers won three medals in Madona — two gold and one bronze.
