The first Asahikawa round of the ‘Snow Duathlon Hokkaido 2022’ series of races – in which the times of cycle and cross-country skiing legs are combined to determine a winner – was held at the Tomisawa Cross-country Ski Course in the city of Asahikawa on January 30. Approximately 30 people competed in the races on the snow-covered field, to determine the first champion.

The event was divided into four categories: the men’s A category, covering a total of 10 kilometers (5 km cycling and 5 km skiing); the men’s and women’s B categories, covering a total of 4.5 kilometers; and the junior category in which elementary and junior high school students competed on the 4.5-km B course.

Participants started out on the compacted snow course on ‘fat bikes’ equipped with fat tires. They then subsequently changed swiftly to cross-country skis and completed the course once more, cheered on by the spectators that had gathered by the side of the course.

Mr. Ogasawara (24), a company employee from the city of Furano, who won the A-category race, smiled as he said, “I’m just really happy to be the first champion. Even though I’m not used to riding a bike, it went pretty smoothly. I’d love to participate again next year.”