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
the fastest route to a gold medalFour years aiming for
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
In March of the 2021 season, with the Beijing Olympics in mind, Ryu Sugai finally stood on the second-highest step of the podium at a competition in Russia. Those around him were both overjoyed and astonished. He had joined the ranks of the world's top athletes in just two years since switching to ski cross. After that, Sugai steadily built up his record in the World Cup, cleared the FIS Olympic qualification criteria, and earned his ticket to Beijing as he had declared his intention.
This is Ryu Sugai's Instagram, where he expressed his joy at being selected for the Beijing Olympics. Tracing his records of overseas expeditions reveals the process of his growth so far. It is safe to say that Ryu Sugai is an athlete who truly lives up to his word.
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 really led the team, putting up impressive results from his first year, and in his second year, he raised his level to the point where he could place in the World Cup.
He has a brilliant sense for quickly grasping how to approach the course. However, since he is still relatively inexperienced in ski cross, he will need a little more time to close the gap in experience with the veteran athletes who have been doing it for the past 10 years. But Sugai is an athlete who can unleash explosive power that can transcend such experience. I would like to see that in the actual competition.
(All Japan Freestyle Ski National Team / Coach Hirofumi Takizawa)"
I'm fully prepared for the stage of my dreams
With the Beijing Olympics fast approaching, Ryu Sugai has been showing steady progress in his preparations. At the test event held in November 2021 using the Beijing course, which is considered a warm-up for the Olympics, he secured a respectable 7th place, demonstrating to the world that he is in a position to challenge for a medal.
This is footage from the press conference held after the Olympic representatives were officially decided. You can feel Sugai's determination to succeed on the dream stage.
What is "Xraeb" (Clev Sports), the company to which Sugai Ryu belongs?
The profile of Ryu Sugai, who was announced as an Olympic representative, states that he is from Tainai City, Niigata Prefecture, and belongs to "Team Xraeb." Upon closer inspection, the clothing and gear Sugai wears and uses have yellow "Xraeb" logo stickers.
Xraeb is a company based in Niigata Prefecture that operates a variety of resort-related businesses nationwide, including ski, snowboard, and outdoor shops, cafes, event planning, and PR production. They have long focused on training and supporting athletes and have their own "Team Xraeb." Sugai has been an athlete of Team Xraeb since his days as an alpine racer. Xraeb is like a mentor to Sugai, providing him with financial support and training environment assistance.
This is Xraeb, a ski, snowboard and outdoor shop that opened in November 2021 in Echigo Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture
Kreb 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 reportedly focused particularly on developing large, supple muscles in his thighs and strengthening his upper arms, which he uses when pushing out of the gate at the start. He regularly used the gym for his training. This is
a video of him doing his morning workout at Eight Fit Studio, posted on his Instagram. Sugai has been tackling such heavy training early in the morning. (His upper arm muscles must be incredible... 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 | February 17th (Thursday) 12:20 PM (NHK General) gorin.jp ishere |
| Thursday, February 17th , 14:00-15:10 (Japan time 15:00-16:10) - Depending on the results of the ranking matches. | Women's Ski Cross Round 1, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Ranking Matches, Women's Ski Cross Final | Yunding Snow Park | Live broadcast on February 17th (Thursday) from 15:15 (NHK General). for gorin.jp.Click here |
| February 18th (Friday) 11:45-12:30 (Japan time 12:45-13:30) 14:45-15:55 (Japan time 14:45-16:55) Depending on the results of the ranking matches | Men's Ski Cross Seeding Round Men's Ski Cross Round 1, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Ranking Round Men's Ski Cross Final | Yunding Snow Park | February 18th (Fri) 12:20 PM - Live broadcast (Cross-seeded match) 2:50 PM - Live broadcast of the final (NHK General) & Internet live streaming (NHK) for gorin.jpClick here |