News

Despite the challenging mild weather over the past weeks, the organizers of Sapporo Skimarathon have prepared a great 10 km race course for the 45th edition of Japan’s Worldloppet race. Today’s victories go to the USA: The Patterson siblings.

Fresh snow over the past days – and also on race morning – has covered the woods of Sapporo in white, making the race course a wintery scenic journey. Over 800 skiers from all around the world were standing on the starting line this morning 09:10, when the start gun shot. Instead of 50 km, the competitors had to do 3 x 10 km loop – a sacrifice to the mild and snowless past moths.

Sapporo Skimarathon 2025 winners

The victories of Sapporo Skimarathon 2025 both in the men’s and the women’s competition go the the USA: The Patterson siblings, Caitlin and Scott, former Olympians, decided the race for them. While Scott won in an impressive time of 1:15:10, Japanese Fukkuma Ryunosuke finished on second place, only 38 seconds later. The third place goes to another Japanese, to Yokota Akitoshi.

Caitlin Patterson won in a time of 1:35:12. Finnish skier Niina Virtanen – last year’s Finlandia Hiihto winner – crossed the finish line second with a gap of 4:49. The third on the podium is Yoneda Kazumi from Japan.

New Masters and Global Skier awarded

The organizers also had the honor, to award new Worldloppet Masters. Four skiers have finished their 10th race in Japan and got the title Worldloppet Master. Mr. Kawashima, Executive Member of Sapporo Skimarathon organizing committee, handed over the diplomas and medals. Gunnar Zlöbl – Worldloppet’s Communication Manager – has finished all Worldloppet races and got awarded as Global Skier.