Winter Sports Athletes Are Crisscrossing Europe for Races. Is That a Good Idea?

“I am trying to get into a marathon mind-set and approach it in a way that is mentally sustainable,” said Susan Dunklee, the top American biathlete. “It’s an adventure.”

The Alpine team got a taste of what the winter holds over the past month. To prepare for the opening races in Soelden, much of the U.S. Alpine team headed to Austria in late September. The athletes were tested just before they left and once they arrived, and they were tested every three or four days since then.

Ryan Cochrane-Siegle, the veteran speed specialist, said the team largely kept to itself in Austria, where he was surprised to see so few locals wearing masks. They stayed out of restaurants and coffee shops and made quick jaunts to markets.

The skiers also tried to limit the usual camaraderie with skiers from other countries, even when they were training on the same slopes.

“We don’t know about their bubbles and what their situation is with testing,” Cochrane-Siegle said. “There is no mingling, which is too bad, because that is one of my favorite things.”

Grover, the cross country director, spent last week speaking with officials in Finland, site of the first event, about entry regulations. Athletes will be tested upon arrival, then will have to quarantine for 72 hours and then take another test. They will be able to train outside during the quarantine.

“That is key,” Grover said. “With this level of athlete, you can’t make them sit around for 72 hours.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/23/sports/skiing/covid-skiing-world-cup.html