1. Cross-country Skiing and Biathlon
Cross-country skiing is a brutal test of strength and endurance. Casual skiers will tell you about how tiring it is to get caught on an even or slightly uphill stretch of a run for just a few yards – and these guys go up to 15km (9 miles) pushing and climbing and occasionally being able to go into a downhill tuck for a quick breather. If you want evidence of just how hard this event is on the body, just look at how these racers – in peak physical condition – react once they cross the finish line. It is like the aftermath of a warzone with bodies just sprawled out across the snow.
Getting caught in a flat area for just a few yards can ruin my day on the mountain. I couldn’t imagine doing it for sport.
About Brad Epstein