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“We have overcome the hardships in the past 4 years!”, that’s the conclusion of the Sapporo Skimarathon organizers. On Sunday, the 43rd Sapporo International Ski Marathon was held for the first time in these 4 years. Finally!

The conditions were good. It was sunny day and the temperature was about freezing -10 degrees at 9:00 when 288 skiers started in the 50km main event. In the short distance 25 km event 266 skiers started at 9:3, then with beautiful blue sky. After four years of cancellation every skier had special feelings and a strong aim, to finish the race.

Winners at Sapporo Skimarathon 2023

In the men’s 50 km event, Keishin Yoshida who did a good performance in Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, finished in a group of 4 skiers. However, he was beaten by 0.7 sec! As a result, the winner in the Men’s 50 km was Munefumi Kodama.

In the women’s 50 km event, Masako Ishida, Japan’s leading skier who participated in 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games and 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games won the race. The 2nd place, Tanaka Yukari, was beaten by Ishida by a large margin. She said “ The Sapporo Ski Marathon was a good training for me toward the Nordic World Championships.”

In the afternoon, a 10 km and 4 km event took place. Many kids, families and friends had a good time at the Shirahatayam Open Stadium, the new race venu.

And here comes a memorable side note: Worldloppet President Juha Viljamaa (Gold Master) has visited Sapporo Skimarathon this year. Beside meeting Sapporo’s Major, officials in Japan’s cross-country skiing and from the Sapporo Skimarathon 2023, he also skied the 25 km race. This was his 10th short distance race, which makes him a Worldloppet Silver Master. Greetings! Now, let’s go for the Global Skier!