| ACTUALITÉS | BIOGRAPHIES | EVÉNEMENTS | FIS INTERNE | MARKETING | MEDICAL | |
SKI DE FOND
SAUT À SKI
COMBINÉ NORDIQUE
SKI ALPIN
FREESTYLE
SNOWBOARD
AUTRES
SKI DE VITESSE
SKI SUR HERBE
TELEMARK
MASTERS
CALENDRIER
RESULTATS
STATISTIQUES
LIVE TIMING
FIS HISTORY
FIS Newsflash articles 2012-2013
Find your news
Japanese Cross-Country talent Masako Ishida enjoys summer training in France
Masako Ishida led the Japanese ladies’ Cross-Country team and landed seven top ten results in the 2011/12 season. Born in the countryside, she started Cross-Country Skiing at the age of six after practicing different ski sports each day in elementary school. Her decision was well placed as, in the age of 31, she ranked 18th in the past World Cup season.
As part of the summer athlete interview series, FIS Newsflash spoke to Masako about her thoughts during the off-competition season:
FIS Newsflash: What’s your summary of the last season? You are very good in classical technique. What makes you so strong?
Masako: “Last season was very good for me. I'm happy about my 18th place in overall in the World Cup and I hope I can be even better next winter. There is no special reason for me to be strong in classical technique. It’s natural for my body, but I would not say I am particularly strong.”
FIS Newsflash: How has your summer training gone so far?
Masako: “Since last summer, my off-season base has been in Jura, France. It’s very nice there and there are so many people roller skiing, biking and running, many more than in my hometown. I get huge motivation from them for training. I have been mostly working on double-poling and also on my free technique so far.“
FIS Newsflash: What is for you the best/worst about summer training?
Masako: “Walking and running in the mountains is the best for me, having nice views over the landscape and eating lunch in the mountains. That is great!
The worst is running with poles. I guess I’m not the only who doesn’t like this training but if you want to be faster, you just have to do it.”
FIS Newsflash: If you could go for a swim anywhere in the world this summer, where would it be?
Masako: “Definitely in Okinawa in Japan! You know, Japan is very long from the North to the South, it covers a distance of more than 3000 km. The Okinawa prefecture has a tropical climate, and I have not been there! So once in my life I should go there to see the beautiful corals and taste the delicious tropical fruits.”
FIS Newsflash: What is your vision for next season?
Masako: “In the winter I would like to get on the podium and score some top five results. My performance last year was good, but I want to make another step forward. For sure the World Championships in Val di Fiemme will be the highlight and I will do my best to get on the podium in the 30km classic. It will be my second World Championships next year. In 2003, when I was 22 I competed in the 15 km classic and finished in 36th place. Ten years later, I think I have a chance for a better result. I also hope I will be in good shape for the coming FIS Tour de Ski.”