Andrew Johnson Japanse Slush Cup.

Estil and Northug.  Northug caught the leaders to take second.

The break formed early in the race and Mathias (8) hung on to win.  Check out that muck - good to know how to ski fast in anything.

Chopping up the slush.

The weather was very warm and sunny during the race but almost right after the race it started to snow.  That night it snowed a foot.  There will be some interesting waxing at the 2007 worlds (also here in Sapporo).  Had that snow come half way through the classical race it would have been turned into a stilt race - red klister and new snow.  Lucky the conditions were easy this trip.

(All Vordenberg Images)