The US team of four athletes arrived at Rusutsu Resort in Hokkaido, Japan last week for the World Ski Orienteering Championships. Racing kicks off on 3/2 with the Sprint, but the team has been busy preparing with training and some public races.
Some highlights from the preparation period:
- A warm, sunny training day with the impressive Mount Yotei in the background
- Two public races in a snowed-in amusement park on the slopes of the ski resort: roller-coaster descents underneath roller coasters!
- A model event with very easy shortcutting. Cold nights and warm days mean a solid crust layer which could make for some interesting racing.
Photos, numbered clockwise from top left, by Josh Yeaton (3) Takako Hirokawa (1, 2, 4), and Lauren Wardwell (5)