We have a world champion in the MARATHON snowboard discipline in the AEROS team!

This year the plan was to go to as many IKA snowkiting races as possible. The last one, and the only one, because the others were cancelled due to the miserable winter this year, was a race in Togliatti, Russia, on the Zigulskoye more. This is a frozen reservoir on the Volga River. Originally the plan was to do a follow-up race in Kharkiv, Ukraine, but that was also postponed and so we had the opportunity to do the Kanash race as the first event on our trip, which was an orienteering cross country race with 9 turning points over about 60 km.

From here we take two second places. Martin Sladký for juniors snowboard and Martin Lafek for men ski. The orienteering was quite challenging, especially without GPS and for us as ignorant of the local area. It was with small kites 9 and 11qm. The race was absolutely breathtaking.

After that we went to Togliatti, where about 150 other riders gathered, including about 25 children in the 12-13 years category, many juniors up to 19 years and a lot of very good adult riders.

In a sentence: It was very challenging and performance-packed. 

In total, there were 12 races of the race discipline – one lap (the race) was 11 km long and in between there was a marathon of 60 km.

From the second day onwards it was practically on water, because it rained all night and during the day it was 4 above zero.

A big, huge experience, with endorphins pouring out of you. We have touched our own limits, learned them and know where to push them further.

Martin Sladký took gold in the MARATHON (under 19 years) and silver in the RACE. He became the junior world champion in MARATHON for 2020!!! Congratulations.

We’re going again next year. 

Text and photo: Martin LAFEK