Nils Slakteris Leads F4 European Championship After First Day in Alūksne
Latvian pilot Nils Slakteris took the lead after qualifying and two races at the F4 European Championship, which kicked off on Thursday on Lake Alūksne.
The first day of the F4 European Championship took place on Thursday, July 4, on Lake Alūksne, with Latvian pilot Nils Slakteris delivering an outstanding performance. He set the fastest lap in qualifying and convincingly won both opening races, putting him at the top of the overall standings after day one.
Hungarian athlete Attila Horvath holds second place, while Sweden's Adam Wrenkler is third. Slakteris' brother, Ardis Slakteris, finished sixth in the first race but improved to fourth in the second, landing fourth overall.
Local Alūksne athletes also performed well: Renārs Špacs is seventh after the first day, and Roberts Minings is eighth.
Nils Slakteris commented on his successful day: “Today everything went super—it couldn't have been better. I feel a bit sorry for my brother's qualifying and first race, but I'm glad he managed to climb from sixth to fourth. The main thing is to continue the same performance tomorrow. If the boat runs well, it's important not to change anything.”
Dzintars Adlers, chairman of the Alūksne Municipality Council, highlighted the event's significance: “Powerboat racing traditions in Alūksne date back to 1959. Today, more than 70 athletes from 10 countries have gathered here. This is a significant event given the current geopolitical situation.”
Aron Tabori, commissioner of the International Water Motorsport Federation, praised Lake Alūksne as one of the best venues in Europe for such competitions. He noted that racers as young as 8 compete in the GT10 class, allowing spectators to see performances across age groups.
The competition continues on Sunday with two more races, where athletes will battle for decisive points. The Latvian and Estonian championships are also being held simultaneously.
The F4 class is considered an important step toward higher water motorsport categories and the world championship. Lake Alūksne has been a recognized venue for several years, known for unpredictable conditions and a dynamic track.
