Kurzemes Pavasaris 2026

4. - 5. April

📍 Tukums, Milzkalns News Instagram BULLETIN 4

ORGANIZERS

• Orienteering club "Saldus"
• Latvian Orienteering Federation

TEAM

Event Director: Oskars Zērnis
Results: Ainars Mankus
Start: Dainis Priedītis
Event Office: Maira Zērne, Inga Jukņeviča

Event controlling

IOF Event Advisor: Guntars Mankus
National Controller: Aigars Leiboms

COMPETITION CENTRE

The competition center is located in Tukums municipality, at the Milzkalns ski complex.

It is 70 km from Riga and 10 km from Tukums. Google maps.

Arrival map

Competition center map

WELCOME TO COURLAND!

Throughout the week, training sessions will be organized – Camp Courland. Everyone is welcome to join — trainings can be done according to the program or at a preferred time and place by using the available orienteering training bank. Elite clubs are invited to contact the organizers to be added to the common communication group with other orienteering clubs. More information will follow later.

CAMP COURLAND

30.03.2026 Orienteering training with individual start (Bumbukalns)
31.03.2026 Relay training with mass start (Pokaiņi)
Orienteering training with individual start (Sveikuļi)
01.04.2026 Long distance training with individual start (Zebrus ezers)
Night orienteering training (Tukums)
02.04.2026 Orienteering training with individual start (Āžu kalns North)
Orienteering training with mass start. Daylight/Night (Biksti)

KURZEMES PAVASARIS 2026

03.04.2026 Official Training – Milzkalns
The training will take place in terrain similar to the competition area, with controls set out.
Model event maps can be preordered until 01.04 at 23:59. Orders can be placed by sending an email to [email protected] and indicating the number of maps required.

On Friday, 03.04, from 16:00 to 19:00, there will be a person on site handing out the preordered maps. It will also be possible to purchase maps on site, but availability will be limited. Cost of the map 5EUR

The model event can also be completed on Friday before the official hours by picking up the maps at the competition center in the morning starting from 9:00. If you wish to do this, please mention it in your preorder email.

Model event location Google Maps

04.04.2026 Milzkalns – middle distance
Gold World Ranking Event (WRE) for MW21E groups.

• 12:00 Middle distance start
• MW21E WRE Prize-giving ceremony

05.04.2026 Milzkalns – long distance
Gold World Ranking Event (WRE) for MW21E groups.

• 10:00 Long Distance start
• ~13:30 Prize-giving ceremony

CONTINUE COMPETING

TERRAIN

This is a typical Latvian orienteering terrain in the Tukums region, central Latvia. The area has clear hills and valleys, mixed with small, detailed contour features. Most of the forest is mixed type with changing runnability. Around Milzkalne there are larger pine and spruce areas where runnability is very good. In some parts there are fallen trees that make running slow. Because the race is in early spring, the forest is mostly good to average for running. There are both large and small marshes with different runnability. Some forestry work has been done, but there are only a few clear-cuts and most of the terrain is forest. There is a regular road and path network. The maximum height difference is 35 meters.

TERRAIN DESCRIPTION

MAP

Mapped between October 2025 and January 2026 according to ISOM 2017-2. Latvian Geospatial Information Agency digital elevation model (LIDAR) data was used to prepare the competition map.
Map maker: Leonīds Malankovs
Contour interval: 2.5 m

The latest version of the Milzkalns (2005–2015) map is available here

EMBARGOED AREAS

Map of the embargoed area can be found here
For all competitors, team officials and others who, through knowledge of the terrain, may influence the results of the competitions, it is prohibited to enter the embargoed area.

COMPETITION CLASSES

MW 8*, 10*, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21E, 21A, 21B**, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, OPEN-Short, OPEN-Long, EASY

* A taped course marked with plastic tape in the terrain and with a red line on the orienteering map, controls are placed beside the marking.
** MW21B – technically easy course. Open classes
OPEN-Short – technically difficult short course
OPEN-Long – technically difficult long course
EASY – Try orienteering! Technically easy course, suitable for beginners.
Entry to the OPEN and EASY classes is possible in advance and on the competition day.

COURSES

Middle distance – 04.04.2026
Course setter: Oskars Zērnis, Rūdolfs Zērnis
Map scale: 1:7 500 – MW 8*, 10*, 12, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, EASY
Map scale: 1:10 000 – MW 14, 16, 18, 20, 21E, 21A, 21B, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, OPEN-Short, OPEN-Long

Long distance – 05.04.2026
Course setter: Oskars Zērnis, Rūdolfs Zērnis
Map scale: 1:7 500 – MW 8*, 10*, 12, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, EASY
Map scale: 1:10 000 – MW 14, 21B, 40, 45, 50, 55, OPEN-Short, OPEN-Long
Map scale: 1:15 000 – MW 16, 18, 20, 21E, 21A, 35

COURSE LENGTHS (KM)

Middle - 04.04.2026

Long - 05.04.2026

The winners' times are planned accordingly LOF and IOF (MW21E) rules.

INFORMATION FOR COMPETITORS IN CLASSES MW21E

The start draw for the M21E and W21E classes in both competition days will be based on the IOF Orienteering World Rankings on March 30th, 2026. IOF World Ranking (WRE). The competitors will be divided into 3 or more start groups (max 10 athletes per start group), ranked in order based on their IOF Orienteering World Ranking points. Within each group, lots are drawn to decide the start order. The best ranked group starts last. Additional information for elite participants regarding competition rules, the allocation of GPS devices, etc., will be published in a separate document a few days before the competition.

ENTRIES AND FEES

Entry for all classes by using the LOF online entry system
When applying, you must indicate the participant's name, surname, class, club, LOF ODB number, and personal SPORTIdent card number (or indicate that you are going to rent an SI card). MW21E athletes must provide their IOF ID number. Payments must be made according to the entry deadline. 29.03.2026. Entry fees and registration deadlines:

Registration after 29.03.2026 is possible only on vacant places with a surcharge of +50% of the standard fee. Any competitor changes made on the competition day will be charged with a 2 EUR fee per competitor. Competitor information can be updated or changed for free until the first competition day by contacting [email protected]

Entry fee for OPEN classes - 15 EUR per day. There is no surcharge for OPEN class entries on the competition day. Entry fee payments by bank transfer to the organizer's bank account. In the payment description please indicate the LOF entry system invoice number or information about the participant(s) for whom the participation fee is being paid.

SIAC cards can be rented for €3 per day or €4 for both days. The need for rental must be noted at registration. If the rental card is lost, its value must be refunded (€65).

ORGANIZER AND BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS

Orientēšanās klubs "Saldus"
Kalnsētas iela 6-1, Saldus, LV-3801
Registration number: 50008089151

Bank account info:
Bank: Swedbank
Bank account.: LV77HABA0551009645960
BIC/S.W.I.F.T.: HABALV22

PUNCHING SYSTEM

SPORTIdent AIR+. Controls will work in classic contact and contactless mode. Competitors using their own SI cards must provide the card number at the time of entry. SIAC cards can be rented: €3 per day or €4 for both days. The need for rental must be noted at registration. If the rental card is lost, its value must be refunded (€65).

PRIZE GIVING

• The top3 places in the MW21E category on both competition days will be awarded with sponsor prizes.
• Two-day overall results: The first three athletes in each class are awarded with prizes provided by our sponsors.

Prize money for the two-day overall winners in M21E and W21E.

1. place – 200 EUR
2. place – 100 EUR
3. place – 50 EUR

The winners of the MW18 classes will receive a prize money of €100. Supporter — OK Saldus club member Roberts Stinge.
The winners of the MW20 classes will receive a prize money of €100.

SERVICE AT THE COMPETITION CENTRE

• First aid
• Water
• WC
• Shops
• Catering
• Kindergarten

RESPONSIBILITY

Competitors participate on their own risk. During the race each participant takes full responsibility for their own health and actions. Parents or guardians are fully responsible for their children in the competition area and on the course. By entering the competition, a competitor agrees that any media material created at Kurzemes Pavasaris can be further used in any marketing or advertising activities. Additionally, a competitor agrees to the use of personal data (name, surname) by organizers when publishing competitor lists and results.

TRAVEL

The competition will take place at the Milzkalns Ski Complex, located 10 km from Tukums. There is no public transportation available near the Milzkalns Ski Complex, therefore participants can only arrive by private car. Organizer signage will be placed starting from the village of Milzkalns. The distance from the parking area to the competition arena may range from 200 m to 800 m. Please take this into account when planning your competition day.

VISAS

Latvia is a member of the European Union and EU citizens do not need a visa to enter Latvia. Participants who are not EU citizens may need a visa to enter Latvia. Additional information on visa-free entry into Latvia: Countries whose citizens may enter Latvia without a visa
Information on obtaining a visa: Applying for a visa

ACCOMMODATION, CATERING

There are several hotels, hostels and guest houses available in Tukums city and region. Tukums is also known as a popular tourist destination with plenty of attractions and things to-do. Additional information about tourism and other options can be found on Visit Tukums.

CLIMATE

At the beginning of April, the average temperature in the Tukums region usually is between +1°C and +10°C. The likelihood of snow in the terrain in this period is low.

OTHER INFORMATION

• No special regulations on clothing.
• The IOF Anti-Doping Rules apply to the event. It is the competitors’ responsibility to obtain any required TUE (therapeutic use exemption) certificate.
• The period when the competition is held implies a minor risk for tick activity. Please be careful and read the provided information and recommendations by IOF.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Emils Zernis
Telefons: +358401446902
E-pasts: [email protected]

Rūdolfs Zernis
E-pasts: [email protected]