To help with high-altitude training, the Finnish national team is skiing with 2-liter oxygen canisters on their backs which they breathe through face masks. Although not banned by WADA, Vegard Ulvang and others have expressed doubt and discomfort with the setup.
Earlier this month, Devon Kershaw packed his bags for Europe, where he'll spend essentially six months between the World Cup, Tour de Ski and Olympic competitions. It was tough, he said, but an opportunity he couldn't pass up between seeing his girlfriend, Kristin Størmer Steira, and training with the Norwegian men's team in Val Senales, Italy.