Kids Web Japan

A cross-country ski race.

One of the most popular winter sports in Tokamachi is cross-country skiing. The city is home to the Yoshida Cross-Country Courses, which is scheduled to host the 2009 National Sports Festival. This course has also been a training ground for many skiers who have gone on to compete at the national level.

Once a week the fifth and sixth graders of Tokamachi Elementary go cross-country skiing in one of their physical education classes, and after school the cross-country skiing club practices hard too. The goal of these kids is to compete in the Tokamachi City Junior Friendship Ski Championship, which is held every February. Skiers from all of the elementary schools in the city take part in the competition, a time trial run according to the official rules of classic-style cross-country skiing (in which the skiers move their skis backwards and forwards).

The skis used in cross-country skiing are narrower and lighter than alpine skis.

A racer puts on his competitor number.

The 2003 championship was held on February 5, a day that was bathed in bright sunshine. As the start of the contest approached, more than 400 elementary-school students gathered at the course, which is beside the Shinano River.

The skiing got underway at 10:30 A.M., with separate three-kilometer races for selected boys and girls in the fifth and sixth grades. Next, there was an open race with no time measurement, and then in the afternoon boys', girls', and mixed relay races were held.

Among Tokamachi Elementary students, much attention was focused on Soma Niwano of Year 6 Class 1, who is the best cross-country skier in the school and is also captain of the school's cross-country club.

Soma Niwano, Tokamachi Elementary's top skier.

Cross-country skiers form a V shape with their skis in order to climb up slopes.

"Some day I want to ski in the Olympics," says Soma, who is busy preparing for the races by doing stretching exercises with other competitors and skiing the warm-up course to get his eye in.

Meanwhile, in the tents that each school has put up, the teachers are busy waxing the skis that the students will use in the races. "In cross-country, it's crucial to choose the right kind of wax. It's really a wax war!" says Mr. Horikawa, one of the teachers in charge of the Tokamachi Elementary team. When the kids come back from their test runs, the teachers ask them what the snow is like and then decide which wax will give the Tokamachi team a speed advantage.

In the individual races, one skier starts the course every 15 seconds. Along the course classmates and family stand and cheer the kids on, creating an atmosphere just like a major sporting event.

"I originally joined the cross-country club to build up my stamina, so my aim is to finish the race," says a relaxed sixth grader, Shoko Murayama. Next to her, fellow sixth grader Ami Netsu is more nervous, saying, "I hope I don't fall over. I'm scared of bumping into other skiers!" In the end, all of the Tokamachi students proved that their hours of practice were worthwhile and managed to complete the race. Soma Niwano, who recorded a time of just over 14 minutes in the three-kilometer race in 2002, this year crossed the finishing line in 13 minutes 19 seconds to take eighth place.

The teachers choose the best wax for the day's snow and wax down the skis.

"Come on!" Kids cheer on their classmates.

The three boys and three girls who did best in the morning races get to take part in the afternoon relays. These races run for six kilometers, with each member of the team skiing two kilometers. The Tokamachi skiers did well, coming fourth out of 18 schools in the boys' relay and fifth in the girls'.

The skiers of Tokamachi Elementary, who all completed their races.