Nils Slakteris becomes European champion in F-4 speedboat class in Alūksne
Nils Slakteris has been crowned European champion in the F-4 class, while his brother Ardis Slakteris finished fourth in his debut season. The competition in Alūksne was marked by drama with multiple restarts and crashes.
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Victory and debut
The European Championship in F-4 speedboat class in Alūksne concluded with Nils Slakteris taking the title. His younger brother, Ardis Slakteris, who is competing in this class for the first season, placed fourth overall. Ardis Slakteris took over the family's number 51 in 2026 and won his debut World Championship round in Klaipėda in June.
Dramatic races
The third and fourth heats saw multiple restarts, and the third heat was canceled due to crashes. Ardis Slakteris, who was right behind the accident, narrowly avoided a collision. “I saw Vrenkler’s boat lift into the air in front of me. I realized I had no brakes and couldn’t avoid it. The only thing I could do was floor the throttle and hope the boat wouldn’t land on me. Luckily, everything ended well,” the organizer quoted him.
Other results
Niklāvs Rimeicāns finished eighth, while local Alūksne athletes Renārs Špacs and Roberts Minings placed ninth and tenth, having also been involved in the crash. In the final heat, both Slakteris brothers fought for a top-three spot, with Nils ultimately securing the championship and Ardis finishing fourth.
