Patricia Eiduka, who was twice in the top ten at the U23 World Championships, trained in the highlands of Austria in October, when she suddenly had to return home. The heavy blow due to the passing of his father and coach Ingus to the sun made an undeniable impression. Sleepless nights, the experiences affected profoundly. Also a week later than originally planned to go to Finland to prepare for the first race of the season.
We have already reported that Patricia has a very strong FIS competition, where the leaders of the Finnish, Russian, German and Polish national teams, as well as some other members of the Norwegian national team, took the 19th place in the 10km freestyle, with Kristai Permekoski from Finland losing 1:19.
“Of course, Dad’s departure made a big impression. I hadn’t slept for several nights. I couldn’t train properly in the last day training camp in Austria either, because I’m thinking about getting home faster, ”Patricia recalls. “We went to Finland a week later, so we didn’t have time to train as planned. There was no feeling of snow, because my brother Eddie arrived only three days before the start of the race. This was also one of the reasons why we decided to start only on Sunday in the freestyle distance, ”explains Eiduka, who has taken care of several places in the Olympic Games for Latvia.
“In the first days, watching the competition, I got the feeling that I wanted to start already, but at the same time, I was well aware that I was not really ready for it. Last year, around that time, I was, of course, in better shape, ”compares a hundredth-ranking Latvian in the world. “I am happy with the start of Muonio. I couldn’t do better for the current situation. It is gratifying that I lost less in the second 5km lap than in the first one, ”says the Latvian skier, who met several times in his thirties at the World Cup, adding that this year the leader of the Russian national team Natalia Neprajeva is in much better shape than last year, when she was overtaken.
“It’s a joy for my brother Eddie, who drove very nicely. Improved technical performance compared to last year. He is still 18 years old, because it was a good result for that age, ”Patricia, who is already in Sweden with Eddie in preparation for this week’s FIS competition, where Switzerland will also start in addition to the Swedish national team, does not hide the joy of Muonio’s brother. “There will be strong competition here as well. The track is difficult with sharp curves, where it is impossible to drive without braking. In addition, the cover is quite icy. I don’t feel safe, but we have to try to adapt, because the conditions are the same for everyone, ”Eiduka, who met twice in the top ten during the World Cup, shares his impressions with the Jelivare track.
“We plan to start all three days. Eddy, of course, I can’t say 100% about myself, but that’s the plan. I would also like to run the classic on Saturday, because the start all three days in Jelivare could help to be in better shape at the World Cup stage in Kuusamo a week later, ”admits a skier from Koknese region.
–
