The <em>Fiber Cup</em> competition brings together optical fiber professionals to compete for speed and precision in various tasks related to cable installation, welding, and connection. These competitions not only challenge participants but also provide an excellent opportunity to learn new technologies, gain experience from other industry specialists, and promote professional growth. Our colleagues – LEC optical communication line installers Gaitis Putāns and Andris Bizuns – also participated in the competition. How do they evaluate the competition and the experience gained?
Gaitis Putāns, who has been working at LEC for six years, considers the event a success: “Overall, as the first event of this kind in Germany, it was successful. It was very interesting to see and meet other specialists in this field. It was also exciting to watch the performances of other participants both on the YouTube platform and standing behind the tape at the tables. Watching in person, I noticed many professional tricks that I have now added to my arsenal!”
Gaitis reveals that initially he didn’t have much experience working with optical fibers, but this competition provided an opportunity not only to acquire new knowledge but also to improve his skills. Gaitis is grateful to LEC and especially to Oļegs Zajecs for their support, as well as to his first teacher Andris Bizuns, who helped with advice and provided valuable knowledge. Gaitis also mentions that each of his colleagues in the company has taught him something valuable.
Meanwhile, Andris Bizuns, who works daily with optical fiber connections and installation, reveals that the preparation time for the event was very short and took place just before the event because there wasn’t much time. However, Andris emphasizes that daily work with splice closures and cables allowed him to prepare for this challenge. Both participants emphasize the importance of technical skills, such as the ability to read cable diagrams and work quickly, precisely, and accurately. “I studied from installation manuals that could be downloaded from the Fiber Cup website. In my free time, I went through the installation steps in my head. In the last week before the competition, I had to install various splice closures and do a lot of splicing. That was the main training – increasing the speed of installation and splicing,” reveals Gaitis.
When asked about emotions before the start, both colleagues agree – there was definitely nervousness! Gaitis admits: “Nervousness had become my big buddy already several days before the competition. And just before the start, it really shook my nerves. Anxiety, adrenaline, quite chaotic thoughts. Trying to run through the installation manual in my head one last time.” Andris also reveals that there was stress. “Great anxiety. But not just for me. Everyone there was nervous. Because something like this was happening for the first time.”
The mistakes made during the competition were challenging. Gaitis admits: “There were several difficult moments. In my nervousness, I made a mistake with one cable entry point. As a result, I cleaned the cable bundle about 3 centimeters too much. This backfired on me just before closing the splice closure, as the cable slipped out of the rubber fastening in the cassette and smeared it with silicone. I pushed the cable back several times, but it no longer stayed in. Therefore, in order not to break the fibers and lose splicing points, I decided to leave the splice closure open. But the hardest moment was when I started cleaving the fibers. What I was most worried about came true. Since we hadn’t received cable samples before the competition, it wasn’t possible to adjust the cleaver for the specific fibers. The result was poorly cleaved fiber ends with notches. The fiber had to be re-cleaned and cleaved again. After the fifth fiber, it was already clear that I couldn’t compete with the others. It was hard to accept such a failure. I just had to continue until I finished,” says Gaitis.
Andris says that the hardest part was controlling his emotions and not showing nervousness. “I simply didn’t think about anything and concentrated on the specific task.”
Both competitors emphasize that support from colleagues was very important. Gaitis says: “Yes, the support from colleagues was well felt. Everyone followed and sympathized. They eagerly awaited our performances. Colleagues were interested in how we were doing. They sent encouraging messages. It was nice to know that colleagues were following along. It both calmed and worried me! You don’t want to let down the supporters! It also gave a kind of stimulus and helped me pull myself together in some of the more difficult moments of the competition!” Andris admits that although support was felt, the competition lacked the direct presence of colleagues, so perhaps in the future such support could be even more significant.
Asked if there were any special moments or events that remained in memory from this event, Gaitis admits: “Yes, of course there were! A bright moment was when I heard Andris’s name called as the winner of the third group. I even blurted out: “Yes!” Of course, throughout the competition, it was quite pleasant to see the LEC logo on banners and the big screen. We also stood out with our appearance against the background of others! Many thanks to the management for providing everything necessary for a successful start in the competition and thinking about the unified visual image!” Andris replies: “I will remember that I made it to the semifinals.”
Both colleagues had the opportunity to gain valuable experience and new contacts, and if the opportunity to participate in the Fiber Cup appears in the future, would they take it? Andris is not entirely convinced, answering: “Probably not now. But maybe in a year.” However, Gaitis is positively inclined: “If it’s meant to be and such an opportunity arises, I will definitely not refuse! Because it’s a new experience every time, as something new is constantly being invented in this field. And if the competition takes place in exhibition halls, then there is an opportunity to see and touch new inventions and improvements. To see and try the latest tools at various manufacturers’ stands. But, mainly, it is a challenge to skills and an addition to one’s abilities and knowledge!”
