It has already been reported that on Thursday, Eiduka won a silver medal in the classic kilometer distance of the U-23 World Championship in the classic style with an interval start, securing the first prize in the history of Latvia in the championship of this sport. Eiduka finished in 30 minutes and 1.1 seconds, conceding from the Swiss champion Anja Weber by only 1.3 seconds.
On Sunday, the Latvian skier started the 30-kilometer freestyle Olympic Games in Beijing with a joint start, so she arrived at the U-23 championship venue in Ligna just before the competition. Before the last start of the Olympics, Eiduka had only considered sprinting in the U-23 Championship.
“I didn’t know what it would feel like after 30 kilometers, and I was afraid I wouldn’t get tired. There was only one day off after the flight, so we considered skipping this distance to have a fresher sprint. I’m glad I managed to get some sleep so that waking up on Wednesday morning, I did not feel any time difference with China, “said Eiduka.
As the feelings were good and I immediately managed to adjust to the time zone, it was decided to start the race immediately on Thursday.
“When I saw the start list on Wednesday night, I realized that the line-up is quite strong and will go hot, at the same time I knew that I was one of the favorites. Something has been holding me back from the beginning of the season, “said Eiduka, who lost her father and coach Inga Eiduk in the beginning of November.
The athlete also had difficulties during the Olympic Games – after arriving in Zhangjak due to unclear Covid-19 tests, she had to skip skateboard competitions and the skier could not participate in snow training for several days.
“It all came together and at times it seemed like a lot to do? I worked hard all summer and couldn’t justify it. But this was the day I really needed for the future. It’s a great pleasure that it has finally succeeded, because “There were failures in the youth championships. Two years ago, only one second was missing until the first medal, but last year the U-23 championship became very bad and the finish was cold,” Eiduka recalled.
Compared to the Beijing Olympics, which took place at very low temperatures and high altitudes, the Lign thermometer bar fell just below zero.
“In such weather conditions, I feel much better than starting in the cold and wind. Once again, it turns out that in cold weather you can’t start the way you want. Mostly, coming from the mountains to the lowlands should be easier. “I’m only here for two days, so it ‘s hard to say what’ s going to happen to the body.
The skier has as much technical support as in the Olympics, and the two brothers are next door, because without coach Valt Eiduk, Eddie Eiduk will start right there at the World Junior Championships in Ligna.
“The support team is very large, including the Polish team. During the competition, the team was divided along the entire track and I knew very well what was going on on the track at each checkpoint,” said Eiduka.
Eiduka started with the 62nd number in the 65 ski race and was in the top four in several intermediate finishes, but even in the leading position with the marks of 7.7, 8 and 9.3 kilometers.
“Looking at the inter-finish times, everything showed that the only places where I got seconds were against the mountains, but the descents didn’t play in my favor. I can’t complain about the skis – it was good. But the rivals are heavier, especially The second part of the track mostly went down, there I also lost those seconds, “explained the skier.
In this championship, she will participate in the freestyle sprint competition on Saturday. It is still difficult to predict what result will be achieved.
“I really haven’t managed to complete the whole sprint track yet. I want a little heavier, the track is quite fast and easy, but without the climbs, which would be convenient for me, but we will try to do everything that will be possible,” said the athlete.
At the end of the week, Eiduka will return to Latvia to rest and recover after the race of the last month.
“I’m tired and I want to meet my family. The last two stages of the World Cup were planned, but I may take part in another stage before Falun. Holmenkollen is 30 kilometers in the classic style, but I’m not sure I’m ready for it,” said Eiduka.
Last year, at the U-23 World Championships, Eiduka finished in the top ten twice. The Latvian was in the ninth sprint in the classic style and the seventh in the ten-kilometer freestyle with the start of the interval.
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