Japan's renowned women's curling team, Loco Solare, is on the cusp of securing a spot in the final Olympic qualifying round after dominating the first day of the national representative selection tournament in Wakkanai, Hokkaido.

Dominant Performance

Aiming for their third consecutive Olympic appearance, the team secured two decisive victories on September 11th. They first defeated Fortius 9-7 in the morning match, followed by a powerful 13-4 win over SC Karuizawa Club in the afternoon, forcing their opponents to concede.

Secret Weapon: A Camping Car

A unique off-ice advantage has contributed to their focused performance: a camper van provided by a team sponsor. Skipper Fujisawa Satsuki explained the vehicle serves as a private meeting and rest space between tightly scheduled games. "It allowed us to have a really good rest," she said, highlighting how it helped the team maintain concentration despite having only an hour between matches.

Staying Grounded

Despite being in a commanding position where a loss would eliminate their Olympic dreams, Fujisawa remains cautious. Remembering their comeback from two losses at the Beijing 2022 qualifiers, she stated, "Two wins now are not an advantage... what's most important is to play the curling we want to play." The team's experience and composure under pressure will be critical as they continue their quest for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics.