The Republican competitions of the Ministry of Emergency Situations in cross-country skiing will start in Vitebsk on January 14

January 13, Vitebsk / Sergei Kochetov - BELTA /. Republican cross-country skiing competitions among city and district departments of the Ministry of Emergency Situations will start on January 14 in Vitebsk with the participation of about 40 athletes, the press service of the regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations told a BELTA correspondent. The strongest skiers from all regions of the country will gather in the regional center, most of whom defend the honor of the regional departments as well. Therefore, the upcoming races will be a kind of prologue to the final start of the season - the Ministry of Emergency Situations championship among regional departments, which will also be held in Vitebsk on January 25-28. After the grand opening of the competition, athletes will start a five-kilometer race in the individual standings, and on January 15, a 4x5 km relay race will be held. The level of the upcoming competition is also evidenced by the fact that most of the championship participants have the titles of Master of Sports and Candidate Master of Sports in various disciplines. Last year's winners in team and individual events - Chashniksky District Department of Emergency Situations and department employee Vladislav Radchenko - will have to confirm the title of the strongest skiers of the ministry in difficult conditions (high level of competition and severe frost). Representatives of city and district departments of the Ministry of Emergency Situations will compete for the overall team cup, and winners and prize-winners in the individual standings will be awarded medals, diplomas, and valuable gifts. -0-