CROSS COUNTRY SKIING: The largest Australian cross country skiing team to compete at an Olympic Games has begun training on the Alpensia course they will compete at across the 16 days of the PyeongChang 2018 Games.

The six-strong team were out in conditions that were well below minus 10 degrees to get a feel for their venue a day after arriving in Korea.

“It was our first time out skiing today and although it was pretty cold they were nice conditions to be out on the snow,” Callum Watson said.

An endurance specialist that holds the record for the highest Vo2 Max ever recorded by an Australian, 2014 Olympian Watson believes the PyeongChang course works well for him.

“It is nice and flowing which is good. It’s a bit different to Sochi where all the hill was at once.

“This is undulating in comparison which is nice for me as I enjoy those types of courses.”

https://twitter.com/AUSOlympicTeam/status/960822525490970624

The Australian contingent will train from now through to the opening day of competition.

“We are keeping it similar to what we do for the World Cup and prepare the way we normally do. A bit of gym, a bit of intensity, rest up and then go for it.

“I’m absolutely looking forward to the opening Skiathlon race. It was my best race In Sochi so hopefully I can pull out a good one here.”

Unfortunately whenever Watson appears to be happy about a course his sprint specialist teammate, Phil Bellingham, is not all that pleased.

“The sprint course is quite hilly which is not the best for me but it’s still a nice course,” Bellingham said.

The 26-year-old’s spirits remained high though after feeling right at home since touching down just a day ago.

“I feel really welcome here and all the people are really nice.

“The Korean people are really lovely so they are making us feel at home.”

Cross Country competition gets underway on Day 1 (February 10) of PyeongChang 2018 with the women’s Skiathlon. The men’s Skiathlon follows on day 2 (February 11).

Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au