The 2022 Beijing Olympics is drawing to a close, with only a few freestyle skiing events remaining. For freestyle skiing enthusiasts, the highlight of the event is the men's ski cross, often referred to as "F1 on snow" or "white martial arts." The first Japanese to qualify for the event in the past two Olympics, Ryo Sugai, is garnering much attention as a potential gold medal contender
Switching from alpine skiing to ski cross: What made you decide to do it?
Up until the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Ryu Sugai competed in alpine skiing events, competing in World Cups and other competitions with the aim of competing in the Olympics. He was the only Japanese racer based overseas competing in the FIS World Cup in the high-speed events of downhill, super-G, and alpine combined. He was by far the top skier in Japan, winning three events at the All Japan Championships, but the barrier to entry at the world's top level was too high, and unfortunately, he was unable to compete in the last PyeongChang Winter Olympics. So, believing that he had the potential to shine on the world's top scene, he switched to ski cross with the aim of competing in the Beijing Winter Olympics. It is said that one of the reasons behind this decision was the encouragement of former alpine skier Kentaro Minagawa
With the speed and gliding skills he developed in alpine skiing, he switched to ski cross and within a year placed 15th in his first World Cup competition in the 2018 season. The following season, he gained confidence and achieved two top 10 finishes, steadily improving his results. With his sights set on the Beijing Olympics, the 2021 season saw him take second place at the Russia tournament in March, finally reaching his first podium finish. He quickly became a player noted among the world's top athletes and successfully secured a ticket to the Beijing Olympics
Ryu Sugai is from Tainai City, Niigata Prefecture. Here is a video compiled by a local Niigata TV station that covers Ryu Sugai's journey as he aims to compete in the Beijing Olympics. It gives a good sense of the technical courses and speed that are unique to ski cross, as well as the feeling of battling other skiers
Why did he decide to switch from alpine skiing to ski cross? What are the joys and challenges of ski cross for Sugai Ryu? Let's take a listen to what he has to say
Four years of aiming for the fastest path to the gold medal
Sugai Ryu's dream and goal as a skier was to "win a gold medal at the Olympics." To be the best in the world by racing his skis faster than anyone else on the snow, he had to use his limited time to get closer to his dream. Taking the fastest line to the gold medal meant that Sugai chose ski cross. And his prediction turned out to be spot on
Ski cross requires a strong physique and stamina to ski at the fastest speed and beat rivals skiing at the same time. After switching to ski cross, he focused on increasing muscle mass through meticulous weight training and mountain biking, working hard to build a strong, large physique. He was already known for his skiing techniques that allowed him to achieve fast times, but he had issues with the strategic skiing techniques unique to ski cross. Therefore, in the 2021-22 season, he traveled to the World Cup to study course selection and strategic skiing techniques in order to improve his racing tactics
He also worked on strengthening his mental state so that he could skate calmly and strategically even in the midst of a heated and intense dead heat. Through these various efforts and ingenuity, Sugai Ryu steadily grew stronger, imagining himself wreaking havoc on the white circuit at the Beijing Olympics
Here is an interview that gives you an idea of what it was like
And won a ticket to the Beijing Olympics
With his sights set on the Beijing Olympics, Ryu Sugai finally reached the second highest step on the podium at the 2021 season's Russia race in March. Those around him were thrilled and astonished. He had already made the leap to the world's top skiers just two years after switching to ski cross. Since then, Sugai has steadily built up his reputation in the World Cup, clearing the FIS Olympic qualification standards and earning a ticket to Beijing, just as he had declared.
This is Ryu Sugai's Instagram, where he shares his joy at being selected for the Beijing Olympics. Tracing his records from his overseas trips reveals his growth process. It's safe to say that Ryu Sugai is truly an athlete who walks the talk.
Coach Takizawa Hiroomi, who has been in charge of Sugai's training on the SAJ national team, had this to say about Sugai Ryu: "Takizawa Hiroomi is a pioneer of ski cross in Japan. He was once the pioneer among Japanese athletes to take up ski cross, and became the first overall champion of the FIS World Cup Ski Cross, which began in the 2002-03 season. He also originally started out as an alpine racer, then moved on to moguls, and then switched to ski cross."
"Sugai has been leading the team and has been putting up impressive results since his first year, and in his second year he has raised his level to the point where he could have won a World Cup.
He has an incredible talent for quickly grasping the basics of how to conquer the course. However, as he is still new to ski cross, he will need to take more time to close the career gap with the veteran skiers who have been doing it for 10 years. However, Sugai is a skier who can produce explosive power that transcends that experience. We are looking forward to seeing him do that in the actual competition."
(All Japan Freestyle Ski National Team / Coach Takizawa Hiroomi)
I'm fully prepared for the stage of my dreams
With the Beijing Olympics fast approaching, Sugai Ryu is showing signs of steady progress. At the November 2021 test event, held on the Beijing course and considered a prelude to the Olympics, he placed 7th, demonstrating to the world that he is well positioned to win a medal.
This is footage from the press conference held after the Olympic representative was officially selected. You can feel Sugai's determination to reach his dream stage.
What is "Xraeb" (Clev Sports), the company to which Sugai Ryu belongs?
Ryu Sugai, who was announced as an Olympic representative, has a profile that states he is from Tainai City, Niigata Prefecture, and that he belongs to Team Xraeb. A closer look reveals yellow Xraeb logo stickers on the clothing and gear Sugai wears. Xraeb is a
Niigata Prefecture-based company that operates a variety of resort-related businesses nationwide, including ski, snowboard, and outdoor shops, cafes, event planning, and PR production. The company has long been committed to developing and supporting athletes, and has its own Team Xraeb. Sugai has been a member of Team Xraeb since his days as an alpine racer. Xraeb is like a foster parent to Sugai, providing financial support and training support.
This is Xraeb, a ski, snowboard and outdoor shop that opened in November 2021 in Echigo Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture
Xraeb Sports https://www.xraeb.co.jp/xraebsport
The spacious store offers a wide selection of ski and snowboard gear from many brands, as well as clothing and accessories
Creve Sports, which also offers tuning services, has introduced the latest tuning robot, "Jupiter," which can perform a full tuning in as little as one minute. This monster machine is the only one in Japan that can not only adjust the edge angle in the top, center, and tail areas, but also create the 3D structure that is used by the world's top players (the start date of the service has not yet been decided)
Surprisingly, the store also has a members-only fitness gym, "Eight Fit Studio," on the second floor. It is used for a variety of purposes, from serious training for top athletes to getting in shape for those who enjoy skiing and snowboarding on snowy mountains, to everyday health maintenance for local residents, and also plays a role in building a local community where sports lovers can meet
The training environment that supports Ryu Sugai's physical condition
Kleb Sports' Eight Fit Studio is a truly wonderful training environment for Sugai. The muscles used in ski cross are different from those used in alpine racing. A strong, solid body is needed to absorb the undulating waves on the course without slowing down, to use the waves to accelerate, and to avoid crashing or losing out if another skier collides with you
Sugai said he particularly worked hard to build up the large, flexible muscles in his thighs, and the strength of his upper arms, which he uses to push off the gate at the start. He regularly went to the gym to train. Here is
a video posted on his Instagram of his morning training at Eight Fit Studio. Sugai has been doing this heavy training from early in the morning. (This will surely build up his upper arm muscles...amazing...)
Use the enthusiastic support of your team and community as your power to soar!
Daisuke Kishino, CEO of Creve Co., Ltd., who founded Team Creve, the team Sugai belongs to, and has supported Sugai since his days as an alpine racer, had this to say about Sugai:
"What's amazing about Sugai is that over the past four years he has drawn up a detailed roadmap to winning an Olympic gold medal, and not only has he reliably achieved each and every step of that roadmap, but he has also exceeded his set goals at a high level. He is also very caring towards his family and friends, and has a great humanity. He is a great person, not just an athlete. Naturally, everyone wants to support him. Not only do we provide support for the environment in which he works, but Team Creb also strives to show us how he is constantly taking on new challenges. He is a passionate challenger, and I want to see him celebrate his victory. I'm rooting for him from the bottom of my heart."
This is a post that Kishino made on his Facebook page
■ #Beijig2022 Ski Cross Competition & Spectator Schedule
| Date and time | venue | Broadcast schedule | |
| February 17th (Thursday) 11:30-12:15 (12:30-13:15 Japan time) | Women's Ski Cross Seeding Tournament | Yunding Snow Park | Thursday, February 17th, 12:20pm (NHK General TV) gorin.jp is here |
| Thursday, February 17th , 14:00-15:10 (15:00-16:10 Japan time) Depending on the ranking match | Women's Ski Cross 1st Round, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Deciding Match Women's Ski Cross Final | Yunding Snow Park | Live broadcast on Thursday, February 17th from 15:15 (NHK General TV) gorin.jp is here |
| February 18th (Friday) 11:45-12:30 (12:45-13:30 Japan time) 14:45-15:55 (14:45-16:55 Japan time) Depending on the ranking match | Men's Ski Cross Seeding Match Men's Ski Cross 1st Round, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Ranking Match Men's Ski Cross Final | Yunding Snow Park | Friday, February 18th, 12:20pm - Live broadcast (Cross Seed Deciding Match) 14:50pm - Live broadcast (NHK General TV) & Live Internet Streaming (NHK) gorin.jp is here |