Overview
- The Japanese Ski Federation confirmed Kasai’s entry for this weekend’s Sapporo World Cup, reported via skispringen.com.
- Japan is using its host-nation national-group quota to expand the lineup, allowing Kasai to start alongside a 10-strong home team including Ryoyu Kobayashi and Ren Nikaido.
- The 53-year-old already holds the record 579 World Cup individual starts and marks for the oldest points scorer, podium finisher, and winner.
- He has competed mainly in the Continental Cup this season, with an 11th-place in Sapporo his best result, and he finished 45th in his last World Cup start in February 2025.
- Kasai has said he intends to compete into his late 50s, though another Olympic berth for Milan–Cortina 2026 is widely viewed as unlikely given Japan’s depth.