The Okura Ski Jump in Sapporo, site of the 1972 Winter Olympic Games...

... and the view from the top! Approximate dimensions: 105 metres of
"runway", just over 200m of landing ramp (the world record is around
145m, I think) and about 100m of braking ground. Hmm, that 200m of
landing ramp seems mighty short from up here... that's because it is on
a 60 degree incline!


The winners!


Sapporo from the top of the ski jump. The location of our small flat, being
a 20 min walk from the centre of the city, is marked by the box.

Despite being the cleanest, quietest city of its size we have ever been in,
not even Sapporo can escape the smog!


Still, the sharp-suited businessmen love it! It seems that 95% of all
businessmen wear black suits.

Now for the fun and games at the Sapporo Winter Sports Museum:


First up, ice hockey. Maria defeats Jeff 4-0 on goals saved on the shoot-out
simulator! You can all see why!


Artistic talent nil for both, though, on the figure-skating apparatus...


... and definitely two no jumps on the ski jump simulator - both Maria and
Jeff lept out of their skis on take-off!!