Are You the Next Snow Clearing World Champion?

22 January, 2015 Rupert Orchard

Yukikakai, or snow clearing, is a competitive sport in Japan, and perhaps even your best shot at becoming a World Champion!

Becoming a ski or snowboarding world champion is a bit beyond most of us, but for those still dreaming of the fame and glory that surrounds a top winter athlete, we might have something for you.

Yukikakai, or snow clearing, has been developed into a competitive team sport in Japan, the initiative designed to help elderly residents in areas where the constant snowfall can become a huge burden.

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The first World Sports Yukikaki Championship was successfully held last year in Otaru, and the event organizers are now looking to recruit participants for the 2015 event. 25 teams of 4 to 10 people will take part in the competition, which is comprised of three events – voluntary yukikaki, snow shovelling and move trial, and a snowman contest.

The tournament, which is tipped to attract participants from all over the world, will take place on February 21 at the Third Pier multipurpose open space (Otaru Canal area). It will feature an opening ceremony and a very popular “get together” party following the day’s events.

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To find out more or register a team, head to the World Sports Yukikaki Championship official website.

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Rupert Orchard
Rupert Orchard

Rupert works for HT Holidays and returned to Niseko full-time in 2014, seven years after first discovering the resort's famous powder as a ski instructor. In between, he has worked in the ski industry in China and Canada, but in the end, couldn't resist a return to the resort that made him fall in love with the sport and the industry.