2015 press guide - xterra...owned professional salon hair care company, outrigger hotels &...
TRANSCRIPT
2015 PRESS GUIDE
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A warm welcome to athletes and supporters visiting JervisBay on the beautiful South Coast of NSW for the 2015XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championships.
The NSW Government proudly secured this event until2016, through its tourism and major events agencyDestination NSW.
The XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship takes thetraditional triathlon off-road, and welcomes some of theworld’s best and toughest athletes who will test their skillsand endurance on the region’s beaches and trails. Theweekend-long festival also gives casual participants theopportunity to compete in a sprint distance off-roadtriathlon, trail run, or relay team competition.
The NSW South Coast is a haven for surfers, cyclists,runners and nature lovers, and a fitting location to host thisevent. Competitors will take in some spectacular scenery enroute, and visitors will be charmed by the local hospitalityand the area’s beautiful natural attractions including JervisBay Marine Park and Booderee National Park, as well as itsheadlands, cliff top walking trails and native forests.
Best of luck to all competitors for the 2015 XTERRAAsia-Pacific Championships, and have a wonderful stay inJervis Bay.
WELCOME FROM THE NSW GOVERNMENT
The XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and majorevents agency, Destination NSW. Presenting sponsors include John Paul Mitchell Systems, the world’s largest privatelyowned professional salon hair care company, Outrigger Hotels & Resorts - one of the largest and fastest growingprivately-held leisure lodging, retail and hospitality companies in the Asia-Pacific and Oceania regions,220 Triathlon Australia/NZ, and XTERRA Wetsuits & Boards Australia - the official swim sponsor.
Nick Rains / Destination NSW
INTRODUCTION TO XTERRA
For further information email Trey Garman at [email protected]
Media Information 4Schedule of Events 5About the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship 6-9Course Facts 10-112014 XTERRA APAC Review 12-152015 Elite Men 162015 Elite Women 17Men’s Elite Profiles 18-25Women’s Elite Profiles 26-33About TEAM Unlimited 34About XTERRA.TV 352015 XTERRA World Tour Schedule 36The XTERRA Story 37-44
TABLE OF CONTENTS
In 1996 mountain biking and triathlon met in aduel of the fittest on the island of Maui. The raceconsisted of a rough water swim, a mountain bikerace, and a trail run. It represented a bold newracing format that attracted outdoor enthusiasts,adventure seekers, mountain bikers andtriathletes. The mountain bikers brought theirlaid-back style and bold self-assurance. Thetriathletes brought their hard-core training andavid dedication. They soon discovered a common“Live More” spirit that pulled them together. Therelationship flourished into an internationally-recognized brand called XTERRA, and todaythere are tens of thousands of athletes not onlytaking part in the races, but truly living thelifestyle.
A fitting representation of this “XTERRA Tribe” -several hundred athletes from around the world– will gather at Callala Beach in pristine JervisBay, New South Wales; and on Saturday, April 18to put their mental and physical toughness upagainst Mother Nature at the 2nd annualXTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship triathlon.
A television show will be produced fornational & international distribution.
XTERRA Asia-Pacific ChampionshipPro Purse ($50,000 AUD)
Rank Men Women
1st $10,000 $10,000
2nd $6,000 $6,000
3rd $3,500 $3,500
4th $2,000 $2,000
5th $1,250 $1,250
6th $750 $750
7th $550 $550
8th $400 $400
9th $300 $300
10th $250 $250
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MEDIA INFORMATIONThe XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship press guide was designed to provide the media with useful information about the2015 race, the pros competing in it, and XTERRA in general. Below are additional items of interest:
- For credentials contact Trey Garman at [email protected] or 0011-1-808-216-8606 (within Australia)
- TEAM Unlimited will record full race results and distribute after the event.
- During the championship race TEAM Unlimited will escort interested press members to key strategic locations throughout the course to track leaders and course happenings, and to get the best possible photos. You must reserve your seat in the press van in advance.
- A press pass is required on race day for admittance to finish area.
- Log on to XTERRAAsiaPacific.com for race information and race coverage.
- Follow it live on xterraasiapacifc.com, on twitter @xterraoffroad, hashtgag #xterraAPAC and onfacebook.com/xterraplanet starting at 11am in Sydney, Australia
- Professional, high-resolution images from the race will be available to the media after the race. Contact Trey Garman with photo requests.
How to Cover XTERRA: Please note that XTERRA is produced with the cooperation of private landowners andwe respect their privacy. The following outlines the access policy for this year’s race:
- Press may ride the bike course on their own bikes - Access to the bike course on race day is provided by chauffeured press van/SUV ONLY.- Space is limited so you must reserve your seat in advance.
DIRECT MEDIA INQUIRIES AND REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO:
Laura Bowmaker, Elite Energy Media Director0410 591 930 (cell)
or
Trey Garman, Vice President0011 1 808 216 8606 (cell)
TEAM Unlimited - 720 Iwilei Road, Suite 290, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
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2015 SCHEDULE OF EVENTSAll events at Callala RSL Country Club unless otherwise noted
Callala Beach, Jervis Bay, New South Wales
Thursday, April 16All Day Bike course open for pre-ride
Friday, April 17 All Day Bike and run courses open for practice2:00 - 5.30pm Registration / race pack collection open – all events 3pm XTERRA University clinic, presented by Paul Mitchell and hosted by Ben Allen and Jacqui Slack5:30pm XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship pre-race briefing and introduction of elite athletes6:00pm Carbo loading pasta dinner and Q&A at Callala Bay Community Hall
Saturday, April 18 6:00 - 10:30 Registration / race pack collection open6:00 - 7:40am T1 open for bike racking - XTERRA Sprint race only7:45am Sprint athlete briefing at beach start (end of Callala Beach Road)8:00am XTERRA Sprint start9:00 - 10:45am T1 open for bike racking - XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship race10:45am Championship race briefing at beach start11:00am XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship start (end of Callala Beach Road)12:00pm T1 opens for bike pick-up - XTERRA Sprint only12:30pm XTERRA Kids fun sprint @ RSL finish area1:00pm T1 closed for swim/bike gear pick-up - Sprint race only3pm T1 open for all swim/bike gear pick-up - XTERRA Championship race3pm Cut off at T2 (you will not be allowed to start the run after this time)3pm XTERRA awards ceremonies4:30pm Race closed 5:00pm T1 closed for bike/swim gear pick-up7:30 - 11pm After-party and race highlight video, Callala RSL Country Club
Sunday, April 19 7:00 - 8.30am Registration / race pack collection open8:45am Trail run athlete briefing at race start8:55am 21K Relay runners meet at race briefing for transportation to tag location9:00am XTERRA Trail Half-Marathon & Relay 21K start9:10am XTERRA 5K Trail Run start10:30am XTERRA 5K Trail Run awards11:30am XTERRA Trail Half-Marathon & Relay Awards
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In 2014 TEAM Unlimited LLC, owners and producers of theXTERRA World Tour, announced it had reached a three-year strategic partnership agreement with Destination NewSouth Wales to host the XTERRA Asia-PacificChampionship off-road triathlon and accompanying sportsfestival in the Jervis Bay area.
The inaugural event was held April 25-27, 2014, & doubledas the XTERRA Australia Championship. The weekendalso included a sprint distance off-road triathlon, trail runs,ocean swim, kids events, clinics and social gatherings.
The 2015 race is scheduled for April 18-19, again along thebeautiful coastline of Jervis Bay.
As the most prestigious event in XTERRA’s Asia-Pacificseries that includes championship races in Australia, NewZealand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Tahiti, Guam,and the Northern Marianas – the XTERRA Asia-PacificChampionship will offer $50,000 in prize money to thesport’s top professional athletes.
“We are absolutely delighted to partner with DestinationNew South Wales in hosting one of the major pillar eventsin the XTERRA World Tour in the New South Wales andJervis Bay region,” said Tom Kiely, TEAM Unlimited CEO.“Our athletes will be treated to a remarkable setting for arace and perhaps more importantly, a truly amazingadventure destination to explore and discover before andafter the big event.”
The main event will combine a one-mile swim with roughly30-kilometers of mountain biking followed by 10km of trailrunning. The best athletes from across the region will beinvited to compete for the Asia-Pacific crown and localathletes will be welcome to join in the fun and embrace theXTERRA motto to “Live More.”
The 2015 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship event will betelevised for a 30-minute feature program to be distributedinternationally.
The U.S. TV Broadcast begins in June, 2015 and runsthrough October, 2017. ESPN International will air the showbeginning in August, 2015 and the show will be seen onPacific Rim Networks (which includes Australia), Caribbeanand South America.
THE XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP
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FLAVOURS OF THE SOUTH COAST
Toma Iakopo Photo
While Jervis Bay is a perfect location for sportingadventures, it’s also a great base from which to explore andtaste some of the best flavours of the South Coast. Discovera thriving wine region with many vineyards and cellar doorslocated in idyllic settings; Cambewarra Estate, CoolangattaEstate, Cuppitt's and Two Figs are some of the best. You’llalso find crunchy sourdough bread from local bakeries,succulent oysters and weekend farmers markets as well asa wide choice of casual dining options.
A good starting point is a hearty breakfast at the HyamsBeach Store and Café before heading north to GreenwellPoint to taste sublime local rock or Pacific oysters – a mustfor oyster-lovers! Further north, the pretty town of Berry ispacked with local art galleries and craft shops, antiques,markets and fabulous food.
Visit Milkwood Bakery or the renowned Berry SourdoughBakery, or head to South Coast Providores for free-range
chunky chicken pies and a jar of handmade preserves,before trying delicious gelato from Il Locale. Another gooddining spot for casual meal is at Gerroa’s Blue Swimmer atSeahaven where the tang of sea salt is in the air. More tastyeateries include The Schoolhouse at Gerringong, Kiama’sHanoi on Manning and Diggies at North Wollongong beach.
Heading south from Jervis Bay also leads to sublimeseafood experiences. Rick Stein at Bannisters is, wellestablished as one of the state’s best regional restaurants.On the banks of the beautiful Clyde River at Batemans Bay,enjoy taste freshly-shucked Sydney rock oysters and the‘Angasi’ from The Oyster Shed or Pearly Oyster Bar andFarm. On the Pier at Batemans Bay is also known for its fineseafood as is The River at Moruya, which has a seasonalmenu sourced from local produce.
Find out more about NSW food and wine on the SouthCoast at visitnsw.com.au
QUICK FACTS ON THE XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPWHAT IS XTERRA: The world’s premier off-road triathlon, combining a 1.5-kilometer (1-mile) swim at Callala Beach …a 30-kilometer (18.6-miles) mountain bike that traverses Australia’s famous native “bush” in the Nowra State Forest, anda 10-kilometer (6.2-miles) run through unyielding terrain. Top pros finish in roughly two-and-a-half hours.
WHO RACES: Hundreds of amateur and professional triathletes from around the world ages 15-to-70.
WHEN: The XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship starts at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 18.
WHERE: Callala RSL Country Club at Callala Beach / Jervis Bay, New South Wales
WHY: The XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship is the marquee event on XTERRA Asia-Pacific Tour that includes racesin New Zealand, Philippines, Australia, Tahiti, Saipan, Guam, Japan, and Malaysia. The concept is to provide a bona-fide Asia-Pacific Championship title for amateur and pro off-road triathletes. The event will double as the XTERRAAustralia Championship. For pros there is $50,000 in prize money at stake. The weekend will also include a sprintdistance off-road triathlon, trail runs, kids run, clinics, and social gatherings.
XTERRA BACKGROUND: This is year 20 for the sport of XTERRA. The first XTERRA race was held on November 3,1996 on the Hawaiian Island of Maui with just 123 participants and was televised on Fox Sports Net. The demand forthe sport of XTERRA exploded thereafter and there are now more than 30,000 competitors from more than 40 countriesworldwide.
1996: American Jimmy Riccitello and Australian Michellie Jones win inaugural event in Wailea, Maui. 1999: 11 races across the United States, first year of Pro Points Series. 2000: XTERRA goes global with its first international races in England, Japan, and Canada.2001: The first year of XTERRA in Australia - Jody Mielke and Paul Amey win the XTERRA Australia Championship2011: The first year of the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Tour with races in the Philippines, Saipan, Guam, and Japan2014: The inaugural XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship race in NSW.2015: Now more than 300 events in 30 countries worldwide, celebrating 20th XTERRA World Championship on Nov. 1
TELEVISION: The XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship race will be filmed and edited into a half-hour show for interna-tional distribution. The 2015 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship shows will be broadcast on ESPN Internationalstations in Australia and other countries, as well as throughout the U.S. via national syndication & Fox Sports Network.
Online Resources: www.facebook.com/XTERRAplanet ... Videos: www.xterra.tv ... Event: www.xterraasiapacific.com
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XTERRA APAC WEEKEND EVENTS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILYBeyond just the main event, the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championshipweekend will feature fun for the whole family. New South Wales’ JervisBay is the ultimate destination to relax, unwind and recharge yourbatteries. This majestic stretch of coastline offers spectacular sceneryand plenty of adventure. The Race Village at the Callala RSL is a greatplace to hang out and watch the transitions and finish line activity.In between all of the race action, there will be music, commentary, a BBQ,exhibition tents including XTERRA Wetsuits, and a fun run for little kidsthat is sure to entertain. Here’s a look at the events on tap...
XTERRA UNIVERSITY: Get to know the Pros and what the Pros knowat XTERRA University. Learn the XTERRA disciplines of swimming,mountain biking, and trail running, sharpen your skills with instruction onnutrition, Callala Beach course specifics, racing tips, winning strategies,and get the inside scoop on the Asia-Pacific Championship race straightfrom the pros.
XTERRA SPRINT RACE: The XTERRA Sprint race is a great way fornewcomers to ease their way into the sport. It combines a 750m oceanswim, with a 14K mountain bike and 5K trail run.
XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP: The championshipcombines a 1.5K ocean swim, 30K mountain bike and 10K trail run.Racers compete against other athletes in their same division, includingPro/elite, Age Group men and women – 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34,35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65+(W), 65-69(M), 70-74(M),75+(M), challenged and relay teams.
Top 3 in each age group division earn awards, plus random prizedrawing for 2 full XTERRA Wetsuits. Australian residents racing in thechampionship event are eligible for the XTERRA Australia Championshiptitle – pro and all age group divisions. It’s an official 2015 XTERRA WorldChampionship Qualifier with 50 total slots to the top finishers in eachdivision. Also, the fastest pro and age group male and female finishers(combined time) in the XTERRA New Zealand (April 11 in Rotorua) andAsia-Pacific Championship (April 18 in NSW) will be recognized withspecial “ANZ Double” trophies.
XTERRA KIDS SPRINT: Free running race for youngsters to experiencethe joy of the healthy, active, outdoors lifesytle. Everyone wins!
XTERRA HALF-MARATHON TRAIL RUN: On Sunday trail runners canjoin in the fun and discover nature’s paradise in New South Wales, andget to see what kind of terrain challenges the Aussie Bush provides.XTERRA will give out awards to the top three in each division, and first-place finishers in each division win free entry to the 2015 XTERRA TrailRun World Championship (21K) to be held December 6, 2015 in Hawaii.
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XTERRA managing director “Kahuna Dave” Nicholas hashigh praise for the venue set to host the 2nd annualXTERRA’s Asia-Pacific Championship race.
“The area is gorgeous, and we’ll be racing and ridingthrough the Nowra State Forest,” explained Nicholas. “All inall it will be a total Australian experience. They call it bush –and it is. Not a lot of total elevation change, but some steep,short stuff and it’s quite sandy in places that will requiresome tough pedaling.”
The bike and run trails are native bush, undulating and fast.There are some sandy trails, even miles from the coast, andit’s also rooty in spots. The trails get narrow, winding thrutrees.
“The run course is going to have nearly a mile ofsand/beach running and it will be tough,” said Nicholas.
Even locals marvel at the soft, white sand that stretches formiles. “Better than Kailua Beach sand,” exclaimed XTERRAPresident Janet Clark, a Canberra-native who lives near thefamous Kailua Beach in Hawaii.
Of note, the ocean temperatures measured at 20 degreeson their visit, which would make it a wetsuit-legal race.
“It’s also worth noting the ocean should be fairly flat, with nosurf to speak of during the race,” said Nicholas.
No surf, but plenty of wildlife.
“Birds squawking and yodeling everywhere – sulfur crestedcockatoos, parrots, kookaburras, it is a cacophony of a rack-et. We named one of the run trails “Squawking bird” as aresult,” said Nicholas. “The range of colors and sounds isunbelievable, and the huge white gum trees (currently inflower) are spectacular.”
Of course there is no doubt visitors will be eager toexperience the Kangaroo culture.
“The Kangaroos are the same color as the tree trunks andit’s hard to see them until they move,” said Nicholas. “On thegolf course you can see a dozen at a time and walk right upto them.
SWIM DISTANCE: 1.5-kilometers (0.93 miles). Location: Callala Beach at the end of Callala Beach Roada long, white sand beach facing the mouth of Jervis Bay.The Bay is renowned for its white sand beaches and clearturquoise water. Jervis Bay is sheltered from most openocean swells. Full course athletes will swim two laps of a750 meter triangular course with a short beach sprintbetween laps. Sprint racers swim one lap. Water temps aretypically 20 degrees, and most likely a wetsuit legal race.
Swim Prime: As the official swim sponsor XTERRAWetsuits Australia will award AUD $300 to the pro male andfemale athlete with the fastest swim as well as two randomdrawings for a full XTERRA wetsuit.
Swim to Bike (T1) - 670-meter run from beachLocation: Located at Callala RSL Country Club
MOUNTAIN BIKE DISTANCE: 30 Kilometers (18 miles)Location:Nowra State Forest, Private Land. The bike coursefollows jeep trails from the RSL and crosses Forest Road toaccess some great single track which are portions ofSCUM’s Superbowl and Butterfly trails. There will be shorttechnical sections, flat twisty blasts, some short, sharpclimbs, a couple of short twisty downhills and a greatwha-hoo downhill. Single track returns to the road crossingand then takes fire trails back to the transition area at theRSL. Sprint: Our sprint course is a single loop using avariety of jeep trail and is perfect for beginners.
Bike to Run (T2) TransitionLocation: Located at Callala RSL Country Club
TRAIL RUN DISTANCE: 10 Kilometers (6.2 miles)Location: Race courses will be a combination of jeep trailand single track – starting and finishing at the RSL.
THE 2015 COURSE AT CALLALA BEACH
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JERVIS BAY, NEW SOUTH WALES
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2014 XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW
April 26, 2014 (Callala Beach, Jervis Bay, NSW)Dan Hugo and Flora Duffy captured the inaugural XTERRAAsia-Pacific Championship on a beautiful day at Callala Bayin Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia.
“It was a great win for Dan Hugo and perhaps his coming ofage as a bona fide international superstar,” said XTERRAmanaging director Dave Nicholas. “He has had 2nd-placefinishes at XTERRA Worlds, wins at various places aroundthe globe, but he broke the back of a stellar field today inAustralia that marks his first big win.”
The 28-year-old from Stellenbosch, South Africa is quick toagree...“Great to win a championship, probably my first ofthis stature, it’s been a while coming. I grew up knowingAustralia as the pinnacle of triathlon, where are all thelegends are from, so to win in my first race here is special.”said Hugo, who has now won four XTERRA majors thisseason. “It’s beautiful when it all clicks, and make nomistake this course suits me down to the ground. It wassuper technical to ride this course quick and it had somepower climbing. I loved the bike course, it was so fun, andyou just don't get to see Kangaroos very often."
Everybody agreed on that point, that the course was epic,even four-time XTERRA World Champ Conrad Stoltz.
“The whole race is phenomenal and very well designed.There is a lot of really good single track and it’s wellbalanced. I loved this course and was super excited to racehere. Even the run is great,” said Stoltz, who pulled out ofthe race at the bike-to-run transition while in 2nd place dueto fatigue from a lingering cold that didn’t shake.
“I’m super disappointed I couldn’t put in a properperformance because I would love to do this race justice.It’s a big race, has a TV show, big money, just look how theAussies crawled out of the woodwork, that’s good for thesport. But when you’re racing at the level we’re racing at ifyou’re not 100%, well…”
Indeed, the inaugural XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championshipfeatured a $50,000 pro purse, two internationally distributedTV shows, and a big-time field worthy of the attention.
“Biggest championship until Maui, really, and for us asprofessional athletes we so appreciate New South Wales
for putting up the incredible pro purse, so to come out hereto show gratitude and elevate the sport was superimportant, and to be on the top step is really special,” saidHugo.
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2014 XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW
The day started with two-time Olympian Courtney Atkinsonfrom Australia putting a minute into the field in the water, butthat lead was quickly taken away…
“Straight in, first mud hole, I got the first big crash done,”laughed Atkinson. “I thought I’d be able to hold a lead but itseems the fire tracks are as hard as the single track here.”
A group of riders with Hugo, Ben Allen, and Roger Serranobridged the gap to Atkinson within the first few kilometers ofthe bike, then Hugo “chose a line through a mud section andthat was it.” He got some daylight and drove a wedgebetween himself and the rest of the field from there.
By the bike-to-run transition Hugo had three minutes onSerrano and Allen, and roughly six minutes to BradenCurrie, Bradley Weiss, and Courtney Atkinson.Atkinson showed off some amazing foot speed by picking
off everyone in front of him but Hugo with the fastest runsplit of the day by far.
“When I heard I was six minutes down I didn’t think I couldbridge that no matter how well I ran but I heard that Benny(Allen) was two minutes up so starting thinking aboutwinning the XTERRA Australia title and pushed,” saidAtkinson, who finished three minutes, 48 seconds behindHugo for 2nd place.
Currie, who finished 5th at XTERRA Worlds last year,stayed with Atkinson for about 8K “but just couldn’t hang inthere at the end.” Still a great effort, especially consideringhe competed in an adventure race in China last weekend.
Hugo’s mate and fellow South African, Bradley Weiss, hadanother under-the-radar amazing performance by placing4th overall – his sixth top four finish this year (which includethree runner-up showings).
Hometown hero Ben Allen held on for fifth to a rousingapplause at the finish line. Allen is beloved in this part of theworld (he grew up about an hour away in Wollongong) andhe put a ton of effort into hosting and pre-race promotion.
“It’s a win, even though I didn’t win,” said Allen. “It’s so greatto see the race go off so well, and the community getinvolved, and everybody is happy. Jacqui and I, my family,we love the sport and the people and wanted to do our best
to welcome the XTERRA Tribe to Australia. The day cameout amazing.”
Allen also made special effort to tell of how Weiss kept himmoving after he passed him towards the end of the run. “Hejust told me keep going and kept my spirits up. It’s justclassy to have guys like that in the sport.”
Brendan Sexton, an Aussie Olympian making his XTERRAdebut, finished sixth on the day and came away with somestories for sure.
“It was an experience, definitely different from anything I’vedone before but I had a great time, it was really fun,” saidSexton, who took a spill that took some skin off his arm.“Those boys are in a different league, so I just kind of letthem go and did my own thing. Tried to stay upright but wasunsuccessful. I got through it though. You could say I’mhooked, I definitely would like to prepare better next time butcertainly enjoyed it enough to come back again.”
ELITE MENPo Name, Country Time Swim Bike Run1 Dan HUGO, RSA 2:19:01 0:18:35 1:11:24 0:47:262 Courtney ATKINSON, AUS 2:22:49 0:17:45 1:18:11 0:45:253 Braden CURRIE, NZL 2:23:46 0:19:17 1:16:12 0:46:404 Bradley WEISS, RSA 2:24:09 0:19:06 1:16:18 0:46:525 Ben ALLEN, AUS 2:25:35 0:18:29 1:15:02 0:50:536 Brendan SEXTON, AUS 2:25:57 2:25:577 Oliver SHAW, NZL 2:30:30 0:21:00 1:18:33 0:49:118 Alex REITHMEIER, AUS 2:31:45 0:18:40 1:23:01 0:48:169 Jarad KOHLAR, AUS 2:35:01 0:22:35 1:17:41 0:53:0410 Craig EVANS, USA 2:36:39 0:18:53 1:19:30 0:56:52Also: Joshua Kenyon, Joseph Miller
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2014 XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW
For the women it was another amazing performance byBermudian Flora Duffy who finished far ahead of XTERRAWorld Champ Nicky Samuels and placed 9th overall.Samuels was first woman out of the water and an equallyamazing 2nd overall out of the swim. Jacqui Slack puttogether three solid legs of swim/bike/run that netted her 3rdwoman. XTERRA Saipan winner Carina Wasle 4th and the“Swiss Miss” Renata Bucher 5th.
"It all came together,” said Duffy, who won the XTERRAWest Championship two weeks ago and has clearlysolidified herself as the woman to beat this year. “I felt greatcoming into T2 after a really tough bike course and justhammered the first 2K of the run. I just focused on myturnover because I knew Nicky is a strong runner and Iwasn’t sure how far behind she was.”
Samuels was just about four minutes back at the bike-to-runtransition, but coming off a cold and without the power shehad hoped to put up a worthy fight.
“Having been sick for a week, to finish in 2nd is a greatresult,” said Samuels. “I’m not so good on the single trackand this race was fast, and a bit technical through the bushand over trees. Having been racing World Series for nineyears I can’t expect to be riding a mountain bike that well,so am justly happy for the result.”
Slack was the third woman out of the swim more than twominutes back and hoping to catch Duffy and Samuels by T2but it wasn’t in the cards.
“I couldn’t have done much better so really happy with theeffort,” said Slack. “It’s great to have such talent in the fieldand keeps the drive going to get faster and stronger.”
Renata Bucher had the second-best bike split of the daybehind Duffy but Wasle was able to catch her on the run totake the fourth spot. The entire field echoed the samesentiment, that New South Wales is a special place.
“This area is gorgeous,” said Duffy. “Growing up in BermudaI’m kind of a beach snob, so it takes a lot for a beach toimpress me and I can tell you it’s gorgeous here, that whitesand and water is beautiful. I really enjoyed the swim andseeing Kangaroos, it definitely felt like Australia.”
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2014 XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW
NEILSON, SIMPSON WIN AMATEUR CROWNS
Daniel Neilson (pictured) and Jessica Simpson were the topoverall amateur finishers, and they (along with the fastestamateurs in each division) were named XTERRA AustraliaNational Champs and awarded a qualifying spot intoXTERRA Worlds for their efforts.
“Altogether a fabulous first XTERRA Asia-PacificChampionship race,” said Dave Nicholas. “The location issuperb, the trails got high marks for great riding and fun.Toss in a few dozen Kangaroos, big, loud Cockatoo's flyingall over, Kookabura's cooing in the woods, spicy meat piesand strong beer and you have the start of a classic event foryears to come. And, there's more to a great event than justthe racing. A great pasta party the night before and an evenbetter after party at the Callala RSL. Sunny but coolweather and a race start at 11am adds to the pleasure. Justa few hours south of Sydney, you really need to think aboutcoming Down Under to see the sights and have a great raceto cap it off.”
ELITE WOMENPo Name, Country Time Swim Bike Run1 Flora DUFFY, BER 2:33:07 0:18:28 1:22:28 0:50:242 Nicky SAMUELS, NZL 2:40:07 0:18:26 1:26:14 0:53:493 Jacqui SLACK, GBR 2:44:29 0:20:53 1:25:56 0:56:014 Carina WASLE, AUT 2:46:58 0:22:56 1:27:46 0:54:125 Renata BUCHER, SUI 2:51:19 0:22:52 1:23:49 1:03:086 Lizzie ORCHARD, NZL 2:56:24 0:23:21 1:34:59 0:56:107 Mieko CAREY, JPN 2:57:27 0:22:57 1:30:21 1:02:208 Dimity-Lee DUKE, AUS 2:58:13 0:23:07 1:34:42 0:57:469 Jody MIELKE, AUS 3:20:49 0:22:49 1:40:55 1:13:55
2015 ELITE MEN’S START LIST
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Name (Alphabetical) - Age, Hometown
Ben Allen – 30, North Wollongong, NSW, Australia
Courtney Atkinson - 35, Mermaid Waters, Queensland, Australia
Braden Currie – 28, Wanaka, Otago, New Zealand
Mitchell Ginbserg - 31, Ballito, South Africa
Todd Israel - 39, Woolloomooloo, NSW, Australia
Joshua Kenyon - 21, Taupo, New Zealand
Jarad Kohlar - 29, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Nick Moore - 30, Miami, QLD, Australia
Olly Shaw - 23, Rotorua, New Zealand
Conrad Stoltz – 41, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
Richard Yeo - 37, Victoria Park, WA, Australia
Atkinson
Stoltz
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2015 ELITE WOMEN’S START LIST
Duffy
Name (Alphabetical) - Age, Hometown
Renata Bucher – 37, Lucerne, Switzerland
Rachel Challis - 39, Auckland, New Zealand
Flora Duffy – 27, Devonshire, Bermuda
Belinda Hadden – 36, Wandana Heights, VIC, Australia
Elizabeth Orchard – 29, Auckland, New Zealand
Jessica Simpson - 26, East Corrimal, NSW, Australia
Jacqui Slack – 31, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Suzie Snyder - 33, Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA
Caroline Steffen - 36, Spiez, Switzerland
Carina Wasle – 30, Kundl, Austria
Melissa Vandewater - 32, Clifton Hill, VIC, Australia
Slack
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BenBEN ALLEN
North Wollongong, Australia2012-13 XTERRA Triple Crown Champ
2012-15 XTERRA Saipan Champion
FINAL 2014 XTERRA EUROPEAN TOUR RANK: 4PERSONAL: Born January 19, 1985...has raced and wonmany ocean swim’s, surf events, and adventure races...wasnamed the 2012 XTERRA Warrior Award winner along withhis girlfriend Jacqui Slack for perpetuating the “Live More”spirit of XTERRA.WEB/TWITTER: benallentriathlete.com/ @Benny_AllenSPONSORS: On Running, Giant Bikes, Xterra Wetsuits,Flight Centre Active Travel, Champion Systems, FunkyTrunks, Ekoi, Lurbel, Schnell.XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Fifth year.2011: Placed 4th at XTERRA New Zealand, was 3rd atXTERRA Italy, won XTERRA Brazil, placed 13th at XTERRAFrance, 12th at XTERRA Czech, 7th at XTERRA Germany,4th at XTERRA Switzerland, 6th at XTERRA Canada, 7th atthe XTERRA USA Championship, 36th at XTERRA Worlds.2012: Won the XTERRA Guam, Philippines, Saipan, andNew Zealand Championship races to start the season, was2nd at XTERRA Italy, 9th at XTERRA France, 5th atXTERRA Czech, 11th at XTERRA Germany, 3rd at XTERRASwitzerland, 2nd at the XTERRA USA Championship, and35th (after a series of mechanicals on the bike) at XTERRAWorlds. Finished 3rd in the XTERRA European Tour.2013: Won four of five XTERRA World Tour Championshipraces to start the year. Won the XTERRA Philippines,Saipan, and Guam Championships in March, finished 2nd toOlympian Courtney Atkinson at XTERRA Great Ocean Roadin Australia, then won the XTERRA New ZealandChampionship for the second straight year. On the XTERRAEuropean Tour he placed 2nd at XTERRA Spain, wonXTERRA Greece, was 5th at XTERRA Germany, wonXTERRA England, was 6th at the USA Championship, andthird (top Australian male ever) at the XTERRA WorldChampionship. He had the most XTERRA World Tour winsof anyone with seven.2014: Finished 3rd at XTERRA Philippines, won XTERRAGreat Ocean Road and XTERRA Saipan, was 5th at theAsia-Pacific Championships and 3rd at XTERRA Malaysia.Finished 4th in the XTERRA European Tour with a 6th inFrance, 3rd place in Sweden and Czech, 4th in the UK, 2ndat XTERRA Denmark. Placed 13th at USA Champs, andwas 3rd at XTERRA Worlds for the second straight year.
MEET THE PROS
2015: Finished 3rd at the XTERRA PhilippinesChampionship and won the XTERRA SaipanChampionship for the fourth straight year.QUOTE: The sport of XTERRA has provided me with lifechanging opportunities at every race I attend. The amazingpeople I have met, the beautiful locations and theunexpected hurdles I encounter along my journey are whatmake it so special to me. I love the laid back, easy going &friendly nature of everyone being able to enjoying the out-doors and exploring as one big happy family adventure.
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MEET THE PROS
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MEET THE PROS
COURTNEY ATKINSONQueensland, Australia
WEBSITE: courtneyatkinson.com.au XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Third year.TWITTER: @courtney_akcoSPONSORS: Redbull, Subaru, Oakley2013: Won the XTERRA Great Ocean Road off-road tri inAnglesea in first-ever XTERRA, won the Koh Samui LongCourse Tri, IM 70.3 Carins and IM 70.3 Philippines, andplaced 17th elite at the XTERRA World Championship.2014: Placed 2nd at XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship.2015: Won the Oceania Cross Triathlon Championships inFebruary.PERSONAL: Born August 15, 1979, Courtney startedtriathlon in the first years of high school around age 14 whileattending The Southport School on the Gold Coast, Australia... Over his career Courtney has won and placed at some ofthe largest triathlon’s on the globe winning the world’s largesttriathlon “The London Triathlon” in 2010, Australia’s largesttriathlon “The Noosa Triathlon” a record equalling 3 consec-utive years in a row (2008-10) and in 2012 finished a closesecond at the The Escape from Alcatraz triathlon beforemaking his way to Europe to prepare for the 2012 LondonOlympic games. Joining the Australian Institute of Sporttriathlon program in 2005, Courtney went on to become thenumber one Australian male at both the Beijing (2008) andLondon (2012) Olympic Games. While also accumulating 7ITU World Cup win and 15 ITU podiums in his time racing inthe Olympic version of the sport ... Courtney was married towife Kinga in 2004 and states without doubt his biggestcareer accomplishments are his two children daughterChloee and son Leo who both were born in 2006 and 2012. ON WHY HE LIKES XTERRA: Put simply – because it’sdifferent, it’s enjoyable, and it puts me that little bit onedge…which of course means adrenaline. I still try to win, butit really doesn’t matter…it’s my hobby. All I want to do is ridemy MTB and run trail. There’s just something about being outin nature, in the forest…its real adventure ... After the 2012Olympics, I was dismissive of off-road as I didn’t ride theMTB variant of a bike. But then I hopped one for an adven-ture ride and my passion for new challenges took over. I can’tsay I was anything flash! Actually I was probably at the otherend of the scale, I was pretty average. But, this began mypassion and drive to improve. It was like I started triathlon allover again training for an XTERRA. I had all the fitness need-
ed in spades but new skills to learn, I was hooked ...The biggest question I now get asked is ‘how skilled do youneed to be on the MTB to race XTERRA?’ Here’s mygolden rule, you can get off the bike and walk over anyterrain you are not comfortable with. I had to do this to startand in my local forest still do. I would also suggest that it isbest to get out on an MTB in a trail area before a race to getsome confidence at least a few times. You’re not going to bestarting at the UCI Downhill World Champs anytime soon,but if you’re like most triathletes the need to improve andget quicker will have you wanting more in no time ... It’sgreat to have skills, but in XTERRA there is still plenty ofplaces that you need to simply ride your bike fast and strongover the non-technical fire trials. It even outs, and remem-ber most of the racers coming from a MTB background willbe weaker in the swim/run areas. The race is still a triathlonand it’s all about putting the best combination swim, MTB,run together to the finish. That aspect doesn’t change ... Ilove to run….but I love to run trail more. If your normaltriathlon training routine has you in the city most of the time,I suggest getting out on a weekend to where the mountaintrails start. Not only is it great for training, and the softer sur-faces good for the legs, the real beauty is being away fromthe cars, concrete and buildings. It’s a sensory overload,running at your limit while being able to negotiate differingsurfaces, terrain and I bet just a few unusual obstaclesthrown in for good measure ... Let’s break it down one moretime. XTERRA is TRIATHLON but it’s different. It’schallenging but with that comes self-reward and a wholeheap of good times. More than anything if you have been atthe same triathlon caper for years now I dare you to just letgo, let it hang out just a little and try off-road racing. Youwon’t be disappointed ... I look forward to seeing you at thestart line of the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championships inJervis Bay in April.
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BRADEN CURRIEWanaka, New Zealand
2012-14 XTERRA Motatapu Champion2014 XTERRA Sweden Champion
FINAL 2014 XTERRA EUROPEAN TOUR RANK: 2PERSONAL: Born May 30, 1986XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Fourth yearABOUT: Father of two, accomplished adventure racer,winner of the Coast-to-Coast multisport race.2012: Won the XTERRA Motatapu off-road tri on the SouthIsland of New Zealand in March, was 17th at Worlds.2013: Won the XTERRA Motatapu off-road tri on the SouthIsland of New Zealand in March, then placed 5th at theXTERRA World Championship in Maui, the best finish by aKiwi since Hamish Carter won it all in 2006.2014: Won the XTERRA Motatapu off-road tri on the SouthIsland of New Zealand for the third straight year. Was thirdat the Asia-Pacific Championship. Finished 2nd at theXTERRA Switzerland, France, and Italy Championships.Won Sweden, was fourth at XTERRA Czech and third atXTERRA Germany. Placed 2nd in final XTERRA EuropeanTour standings.2015: First XTERRA, but won his third straight Speight’sCoast to Coast title.
MEET THE PROS
Braden
Braden Currie is making a name for himself in his nativecountry of New Zealand as the new “King of Adventure”thanks to his third straight win at the de-facto adventureracing world championship – Speight’s Coast to Coast –which features six stages and 150-miles worth of running,biking, and kayaking from the west to east coast of theSouth Island where he lives. Going long isn’t the only thingCurrie is good at, however, as evidenced in his first fullseason racing XTERRA last year (see 2014 results).
This year, he’s looking to improve on all of those results andtake the XTERRA World by storm.
“I want to be the World champion in off-road,” said Currie,who’s next two XTERRA starts will come at XTERRA NewZealand and the Asia-Pacific Championship on back-to-back weekends next month, April 11 and 18. “I like the tech-nical and adventure aspect of off-road and I like theatmosphere at XTERRA. It’s a bit more rugged and theracing style is more aggressive than triathlon.”
As for the difference, he says, between adventure racingand XTERRA … time. “XTERRA normally pushes me to myanaerobic threshold for 3-4hours, while an adventure racenormally does that for 11-12 hours. Either way I amsmashed at the end, but I enjoy the shorter, sharper, andmore technical aspect of XTERRA.”
What’s really interesting about Currie is that he only reallyjust started swimming and biking a few years ago.
“Running has always been my natural strength. I’ve neverhad technical coaching in any of three of these disciplinesbut I have learnt a lot from riding and training with the goodguys,” said Currie, notable among those ‘good guys’ is Kiwilegend Richard Ussher. “I got into swimming two years agonow and that has gone really well for me and has turned outto be a strength. Mountain biking is again, something I onlyreally started doing in the last few years. I have made bigimprovements but there is still many to be made but now,it’s my favorite discipline.”
XT: What are your goals this year?BC: Win Asia-Pacific XTERRA champs; win XTERRAWorlds, win USA XTERRA Champs, win Asia-Pacific 70.3Champs, and I’m also doing an ITU World cup event inMarch this year to see how I go.
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TODD ISRAELSydney, Australia
AGE: 39ABOUT: Born in Perth, now lives in Sydney where heteaches students with autism full-time at Wairoa School.Has an arts degree in sculpture and painting.RACING BACKGROUND: Competed for Great Britain in2000 at the ITU Worlds Olympic distance and 2009 ITUlong course Worlds. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: First-ever XTERRA
MITCHELL GINSBERGBallito, South Africa
AGE: 31ABOUT: Grew up in small coastal town 40km North ofDurban ... attended Northwood Boys High in Durban ... is achief officer in the Maritime Yachting Industry.IN HIS WORDS: Last time I was in Sydney was 2005/2006,where I worked on the Northern beaches as pro lifeguard,so really looking forward to visiting NSW again as I havemany great memories here and looking forward to meetingup with old mates. Started XTERRA really late on in life – 27and only started racing competitively 3 years ago whilstcompleting studies as I had loads of free time on my hands.When I’m not racing, I work as a freelance Officer filling inon luxury Motor Yachts around the globe, which is com-pletely different world compared to the more down to earthpeople I get to meet and train with. My bike goes every-where with me, which has allowed me to see and exploresome really remote parts of the world. SPONSORS: Coolpoint AHT XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Did first XTERRA at Buffelspoortin 2012 after hearing about it from Daniel Carlton, the 2011XTERRA World Champ in the 25-29 division.2013: Finished 2nd in the 25-29 division at the XTERRAWorld Championship (38th overall)2015: Finished 7th at XTERRA Buffelspoort and 11th in thepro division at XTERRA South Africa Championship.
JOSH KENYONRotorua, New Zealand
AGE: 21ABOUT: Grew up in Taupo and went to high school atTaupo Nui A Tia and also studied at Waiariki in electrical ...works at Off Road NZ as a Tour guide/Thrill ride driver ...raced motocross for nine years.SPONSORS: Brooks, Blueseventy, Huka CyclesXTERRA EXPERIENCE: Did his first XTERRA in Rotoruain 2011, two weeks after placing 2nd in his division at the NZTriathlon National champs.Best XTERRA Finish: 5th Pro Xterra NZ 2011/ 2013Favorite XTERRA? XTERRA Rotorua is such a great eventand it just keeps growing. The people who come alwayscome back!2014: Placed 11th at the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Champs. 2015: First XTERRA
MEET THE PROS
Mitchell
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JARAD KOHLARMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
AGE: 29ABOUT: Earned a degree in Outdoor Education andNature Tourism La Trobe Bendigo...manages and runs anoutdoor company www.peakadventure.com.au specialiizingin giving people a peak adventure from doing their firstXTERRA event to paddling ocean ski's across Bass Strait. WEBSITE: jaradkohlar.comSPONSORS: PeakAdventure.com.au, 2XU, ThuleAustralia, Salomon, Suunto, Hammer Nutrition, Schwable XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Placed 3rd in first-ever XTERRAat the 2008 XTERRA Daylesford in Victroia. 2013: Placed 6th at XTERRA Great Ocean Road and 3rd atthe XTERRA Japan Championships. 2014: Placed 6th at XTERRA Great Ocean Road and 9th atthe Asia-Pacific Champs.2015: First XTERRA
MEET THE PROS
OLLY SHAWRotorua, New Zealand
AGE: 23ABOUT: Earned a college degree in sport from theUniversity of Waikato and in between training and racingworks part-time at the Waiariki Recreation Centre inRotorua where he does a little personal training. Alsocoaches a few athletes.IN HIS WORDS: I race XTERRA because I love the eventsand the training. You get to see so many awesome placeswhen you are travelling and every course is a change fromthe others. Different soil, different track types and differentconditions, which makes every race unique and challengingin its own right! That's always refreshing and it keeps youlooking to improve as an athlete as one course may suit youbut another might not. I also find that whenever you are atan XTERRA event there is always a fun, enjoyable, andhappy atmosphere which always keeps you excited aboutthe races! XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Eighth year, third as an elite.He was just 15 when he did his first race at XTERRA NewZealand in his hometown. 2012: Placed 25th overall, second amateur, and first in the20-24 division to win the XTERRA World Championship.2014: Placed 2nd at XTERRA Motatapu, 3rd at XTERRAGuam, 4th at XTERRA Saipan, 3rd at XTERRA NewZealand, and 7th against a stacked field at the XTERRAAsia-Pacific Championship. 2015: Placed 2nd at XTERRA Motatapu.
Jarad
Olly
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CONRAD “The Caveman” STOLTZStellenbosch, South Africa
4-time XTERRA World Champion
PERSONAL: Born October 23, 1973...a two-time Olympictriathlete, finished 20th in 2000 when he was the first off thebike, then dnf’d in Athens...started BMX racing at ageseven, running at nine, biathlon at 13, triathlon and cyclingat 14, and pro triathlon at 18...“It’s in my blood.” WEBSITE/TWITTER: conradstoltz.com / @ConradStoltzXTERRA EXPERIENCE: 15th year.RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Is XTERRA’s all-timechampionship race wins leader with 51 (he has 53 all-told),is the only pro to win four XTERRA World Titles, and hasan unprecedented 10 XTERRA U.S. Pro Series titles (2001-03, ‘05 & ‘07-’12). Also won the 2011, 2012, and 2013 ITUCross Triathlon World Championships.2001: Burst onto the XTERRA scene and won three races,including the Pro Series and the World title as a rookie.2002: Won in Keystone, California, Tahoe, and Maui.2003: Won first race at Big Bear, placed 2nd in Richmond,3rd in Keystone, won in Tahoe, and won Pro Points Series.2004: Won XTERRA South Africa, placed 2nd in Richmond,6th in Keystone, 2nd in Big Bear, and 5th in Tahoe. Finished3rd in the Pro Series, and dnf’d at XTERRA Worlds.2005: Won four straight before placing 2nd in Keystone.Won XTERRA South Africa, the West, East, and MidwestChamps in Milwaukee, was second in Keystone beforewinning the inaugural XTERRA Brazil. Placed 2nd in Tahoebut still won XTERRA Pro Series title. Placed 9th at Worlds.2006: Won XTERRA South Africa, missed the first U.S.race of the year in California with injuries, returned in timefor Alabama where he was fourth, and a week later he wonthe East Championship. Placed 8th in Milwaukee after aseries of crashes and injuries and then 4th at the MountainChampionships in Utah. A pre-ride crash at the XTERRAUSA Championship kept him out of nationals and worlds.2007: Won XTERRA South Africa for fourth straight year,then the XTERRA West Champs. Won Southeast and EastChamps on back-to-back weekends. DNF’d at Utahbecause of a mechanical. Won USA Championship, ProSeries title, then World Champs for third time. Named theOff-Road triathlete of the year at Endurance Sports Awards.2008: Placed 4th at XTERRA South Africa, won the WestChamps for 6th time in his career, won the Southeast title,DNF in Richmond, was 2nd at XTERRA UK, 6th at
XTERRA Czech, and 2nd at XTERRA France. Won theXTERRA Mountain Championship in August, placed 8th atthe USA Championship but still edged countryman DanHugo to win XTERRA U.S. Pro Series title for the 6th time.Suffered a flat while leading at the XTERRA WorldChampionship in Maui and eventually finished 12th after aseries of mechanicals.2009: Won XTERRA West, Midwest, and Southeast CupRaces, was 5th at the Northwest Cup, won the Atlantic Cup,finished 3rd in a photo-finish at the Northeast Cup, was 2ndat the XTERRA USA Championship (and won the U.S. ProSeries for the 7th time). Placed 5th at XTERRA Worlds.2010: Won all four regionals he entered - the XTERRAWest, South Central, Southeast and East Champs. Placed6th at the XTERRA Canada Championships, won XTERRAUSA Championship (and the Pro Series for 8th time), andbecame the first pro to win four World Titles.2011: Won XTERRA Buffelspoort, was 2nd at XTERRAWest Champs, won his record-breaking 38th careerchampionship at South Central Champs in Waco, won ITUCross Tri World Title, won the Pacific and Southeast titleson back-to-back weekends in May, captured East title inRichmond in June, and XTERRA Japan. Placed 5th atXTERRA USA Championship and won the Pro Seriescrown for 9th time (fifth straight). 2012: Won XTERRA South Africa Championship for fifthtime, won West Championship, ITU Cross Tri WorldChamps/XTERRA Southeast Championship, East andMountain Championships, 4th at USA Championship, wonthe U.S. Pro Series for 10th time, and was 3rd at Worlds.2013: Won XTERRA Buffelspoort, crossed the finish line in2nd at the XTERRA South Africa Championship but waslater DQ’d for going off-course in last stages of the run.Placed 2nd at the XTERRA West Championship, had thelead on the run at Southeast Champs before having to pulldue to injury. Recovered in time to win XTERRA Brazil, thenhis third straight ITU Cross Triathlon World Championship,followed by a victory at XTERRA Italy. He placed fourth atthe XTERRA USA Championship and 11th in Pro Series.Finished 6th at XTERRA Worlds.2014:Placed 3rd at XTERRA South Africa, won XTERRANew Zealand, was 2nd at the XTERRA East Champs, thirdat XTERRA Italy, 8th at XTERRA Germany / ITU Cross TriWorlds, and won XTERRA England and XTERRA Denmarkon back-to-back weekends in August. Finished 7th on theEuropean Tour, and was 7th at XTERRA Worlds.2015: First race.
MEET THE PROS
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Conrad
MEET THE PROS
RENATA BUCHERLucerne, Switzerland
2014 XTERRA Philippines & Guam Champ4-time XTERRA European Tour Champ
FINAL 2014 XTERRA EUROPEAN TOUR RANK: 5PERSONAL: Born May 30, 1977.WEBSITE: renatabucher.chXTERRA EXPERIENCE: 12th year.RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Has won 33 XTERRAChampionship races in 14 countries, the U.S. Territory ofGuam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.2004: 9th at XTERRA Germany in first-ever XTERRA.2005: Won XTERRA Saipan, was second at Tagaman towin the PIC Double with a combined time of 6:14:11. Was3rd at Temecula, won XTERRA Czech (beating three WorldChamps in Angle, McQuaid, and Whitmore in the process),3rd at XTERRA Italy, 5th in Richmond, won XTERRAAustria, second at XTERRA Spain, third at XTERRAGermany, won XTERRA European Tour, was 9th in U.S.Pro Series. Placed 4th at World Champs in Maui.2006: Won everything she entered starting with XTERRASaipan, then a clean sweep in Europe with victories atFrance, Italy, Czech, Spain, and UK. Won second straightXTERRA European Title. Placed 5th at World Champs.Placed 4th at Tagaman and was 2nd in the PIC Doublestandings behind Whitmore.2007: Won XTERRA Saipan Championship then injurieskept her sidelined for the rest of the season.2008: Won XTERRA Saipan for the fourth straight year,plus the Tagaman Triathlon and Pacific Islands Club Doubleaward, placed 2nd at XTERRA European Championship inItaly, won XTERRA France-Auron, was second at XTERRAAustria, won XTERRA France-Mondelieu and her thirdstraight Euro Tour title. Also won XTERRA Japan, was 2ndat XTERRA USA, and 4th at XTERRA Worlds.2009: Won XTERRA Saipan for 5th straight year, theTagaman road tri on Saipan a week later and the PacificIslands Club Resort Double award for having the fastestcombined time in the 2 races. Finished 4th at XTERRAWest, 2nd at Midwest, 3rd at Southeast Cup, won XTERRAMalaysia, won XTERRA Italy, was 2nd at XTERRA Czech,won XTERRA Northeast Cup (her first win in the U.S.), wonXTERRA European Championship in Austria and the EuroTour for the fourth time, was 8th at XTERRA USA Champs,and 14th at XTERRA Worlds.
2010: Won five races, starting with XTERRA Saipan for the6th straight year, and the Pacific Islands Club ResortDouble award. Won XTERRA Guam, won inauguralXTERRA Portugal Championship, won XTERRA SouthCentral Championship, placed 2nd at XTERRA EuropeanChampionship in Italy, placed 4th at the Southeast Champs,won the East Champs, was 2nd at XTERRA France, wonXTERRA Czech, and was 2nd at XTERRA Switzerland.Finished in a points tie for first with Marion Lorblanchet forthe Euro Tour title, but lost tie-breaker (position at last race).DNF at XTERRA Worlds.2011: Finished 2nd at XTERRA Philippines, 3rd atXTERRA Saipan, 2nd at XTERRA Italy, won XTERRAFrance, was 7th at ITU Cross Tri Worlds, was third atXTERRA Czech and Germany, and 5th at XTERRASwitzerland. Placed 2nd at the XTERRA PacificChampionship, third at the Southeast Championship, andfourth at XTERRA World Championship. Finished 2nd inthe XTERRA European Tour and 11th in the U.S. Pro Series2012: Won the XTERRA Guam, Philippines, and SaipanChampionship races on consecutive weekends - a cleansweep of the XTERRA Asia Pacific triple crown, then wonthe XTERRA West Championship. Placed 10th at the ITUCross Tri World Champs/XTERRA Southeast Champs, was6th at XTERRA Italy, 2nd at the East Champs, 2nd atXTERRA France, 4th at XTERRA Mountain Champs, wonXTERRA Mexico, was 3rd at XTERRA Canada, 5th atXTERRA USA Champs, and 7th at XTERRA Worlds.Finished tied for 2nd in XTERRA U.S. Pro Series.2013: Placed 2nd at XTERRA Philippines, Saipan, andGuam Championship races in March, then won four straightWorld Tour races at the XTERRA Great Ocean Road off-road tri in Australia, XTERRA New Zealand, XTERRAMalaysia and XTERRA Spain. She was 4th at XTERRAGreece and XTERRA Switzerland, secon at XTERRA Italyand XTERRA Czech, and 5th at XTERRA Germany. Shefinished the season ranked 3rd in the XTERRA EuropeanTour. Was 12th at USA Championship, and 15th at Worlds.2014: Placed 2nd at XTERRA Motatapu, won XTERRAPhilippines and XTERRA Guam Championships, andplaced 2nd at XTERRA Saipan. Was 5th at the Asia-PacificChampionship, 4th at Switzerland, 3rd at France andSweden, 4th at Italy, 5th at Czech, 7th at Germany and 5that Denmark.2015: Placed 5th at the XTERRA Philippines Championshipand 4th at XTERRA Saipan.
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MEET THE PROS
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MEET THE PROS
Renata
FLORA DUFFYDevonshire, Bermuda
2015 XTERRA Philippines & SA Champ2014 XTERRA World Champion
2014 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Champion2014 XTERRA U.S. Pro Series Champ
PERSONAL: Born September 30, 1987...earned a degreein sociology from the University of Colorado-Boulder...bornand raised in Bermuda and is hoping to make the 2016Olympic triathlon team. Splits time in Stellenbosch, SouthAfrica and Boulder, Colorado when not traveling to races.WEBSITE: floraduffytri.blogspot.comTWITTER: @floraduffyRACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Has raced with the bestin ITU and is a two-time Olympian. Finished 3rd at the firstITU race of 2015 in Abu Dhabi.XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Third year, has won nine of the10 XTERRA Championships she has raced in sincecapturing the XTERRA South Africa Championship to start2014 season. 2013: Placed 6th at the XTERRA Mountain Championshipin her first-ever XTERRA, and was 3rd at XTERRA Worlds.2014: Won XTERRA South Africa, XTERRA West Champs,XTERRA Asia-Pacific Champs, the XTERRA Southeast andEast Championships. Was 2nd to Kathrin Mueller at theXTERRA Germany Championship which doubled as theITU Cross Triathlon World Championship, won theXTERRA USA Championship and the XTERRA U.S. ProSeries title. Won the XTERRA World Championship inOctober.2015: Won the XTERRA Philippines Championship and theXTERRA South Africa title for the second straight year.
“The area is gorgeous,” said Duffy after winning last year’sinaugural event at Callala Beach. “Growing up in BermudaI’m kind of a beach snob, so it takes a lot for a beach toimpress me and I can tell you it is gorgeous here, that whitesand and water is beautiful.”
FLORA28
MEET THE PROS
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MEET THE PROS
LIZZIE ORCHARDAuckland, New Zealand
PERSONAL: Born November 26, 1985XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Won the 25-29 division XTERRAWorld Championship in 2011.2012: Won the overall amateur title at the ITU Cross TriWorld Championship and finished 3rd at the XTERRA NewZealand Championship, and was 11th at XTERRA Worlds.2013: Placed 7th at XTERRA Switzerland and was 6th atXTERRA France.2014: Placed 4th at XTERRA New Zealand and sixth at theXTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship race, and 15th at theXTERRA World Championship.
JACQUI SLACKStoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom2015 XTERRA Saipan Champion
FINAL 2014 XTERRA EUROPEAN TOUR RANK: 4PERSONAL: Born June 17, 1983...was a firefighter prior toturning pro full-time...was named the 2012 XTERRA WarriorAward winner along with her boyfriend Ben Allen forperpetuating the “Live More” spirit of XTERRA.XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Sixth year. FAVORITE XTERRA: PhilippinesWEBSITE: jacquisblog.comTWITTER: @jacquislack2011: Placed 4th at XTERRA Italy, 9th at XTERRA Czech.2012: Was 3rd at XTERRA Guam, 2nd at XTERRAPhilippines and XTERRA Saipan Championships, wonXTERRA New Zealand and XTERRA Italy, was 3rd atXTERRA France, 4th at XTERRA Czech, and 3rd atXTERRA Switzerland. Finished 2nd on the XTERRAEuropean Tour. Placed 7th at the USA Championship, andwas 5th at the XTERRA World Championship2013: Finished 4th at XTERRA Philippines Championship,then won the XTERRA Saipan Championship, Saipan’sTagaman road triathlon, and the XTERRA GuamChampionship on successive weekends en route tocapturing the XTERRA Triple Crown title. Finished 2ndbehind Bucher at both the XTERRA Great Ocean Road andXTERRA New Zealand Championship races in April. Was4th at XTERRA Malaysia and XTERRA Spain, 2nd atXTERRA Greece and France, and won the last two EuroTour events at XTERRA Germany and XTERRA England.Finished 4th in the final XTERRA European Tour standings.DNF at the XTERRA USA Champs, and placed 9th atXTERRA Worlds.2014: Placed 4th at XTERRA Philippines, won XTERRAGreat Ocean road, was 3rd at XTERRA Saipan, and 2nd atXTERRA New Zealand, 3rd at XTERRA Asia-PacificChampionship and won XTERRA Malaysia Championship.Was 4th at XTERRA Spain, 3rd at XTERRA Portugal, 7th atXTERRA France, 2nd at XTERRA Czech, 6th at XTERRAGermany, 4th at XTERRA England, 3rd at XTERRADenmark. Finished 4th in the European Tour. Finished 9that the XTERRA World Championship.2015: Placed second at the XTERRA PhilippinesChampionship and won XTERRA Saipan for second time inthree years.
JACQUI
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MEET THE PROS
SUZIE SNYDERFredericksburg, Virginia, USA
2012 XTERRA U.S. National Champion
FINAL 2014 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 4PERSONAL: Born March 30, 1982...originally from AverillPark, NY...was a three-sport state champ in cross country,pole vault, and Slalom waterskiing...earned a mastersdegree in exercise science from Springfield College...was acompetitive slalom water skier from the ages of 12-18.WEBSITE: teamlunachix.com/proteamTWITTER: @SnyderSuzieSPONSORS: Team Luna Chix, Stan’s NoTubes, Maxxis,Orbea, Fox, Shimano, QT2 Systems, Planet SunXTERRA EXPERIENCE: 12th year. Won the 20-24 divisionXTERRA World Title in 2004 and 2006. Is also a 4-timeXTERRA age group National Champion.2010: Finished 5th at the XTERRA Mountain Champs infirst race as a pro, was 9th at the XTERRA USAChampionship, and a career-best 5th at XTERRA Worlds.2011: Placed 4th at the XTERRA Saipan Championshipand won the Tagaman road triathlon a week later in Saipan.Placed 7th at the XTERRA West Champs, 4th at the SouthCentral Champs, 13th at ITU Cross Tri Worlds, 7th at thePacific and Southeast Championships, a career-best 3rd atthe East Champs, 8th at the Mountain Champs, and 9th atthe USA Champs. Finished 5th in the Pro Series and was15th at XTERRA Worlds.2012: Finished 6th at the XTERRA West Champs, 4th (topAmerican) at the ITU Cross Tri World Championships/XTERRA Southeast Championship, 6th at the XTERRAEast Champs, 3rd at the Mountain Champs, 6th at theXTERRA Canada Championship, and a career-best 2nd atthe XTERRA USA Championship. Finished 5th in theXTERRA U.S. Pro Series, and DNF at XTERRA Worlds.2013: Placed second at the XTERRA West Championship,5th at the Southeast Champs, 6th at the East Champs, and4th at the Mountain Champs, 7th at USA and 10th atWorlds.2014: Finished 9th at XTERRA Czech, 8th at XTERRAGermany, 4th at XTERRA West, 3rd at XTERRA Southeast,3rd at XTERRA East, 6th at XTERRA Mountain and 6th atthe USA XTERRA Championship. Was 4th in Pro Series.Finished 6th at the XTERRA World Championship.2015: First race.
SUZIE
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MEET THE PROS
CAROLINE STEFFENSpiez, Switzerland
PERSONAL: Born September 18, 1978 ... lives inMooloolaba, Australia.WEBSITE: xenasport.comTWITTER: @caroline_xenaXTERRA EXPERIENCE: First race.HER STORY: Caroline is one of the most decoratedtriathletes of the 21st century, but this will be her first-everXTERRA race.
“It will be my first off-road triathlon and I’m so excited aboutit,” said Steffen, winner of Ironman Australia (2011),Challenge Roth (2013), two ITU Long Course WorldChampionships (2010/12), two IM Asia-Pacific titles(2012/14), and two IM European Championships (2011/12).
As for her expectations, Steffen says she plans on “havingheaps of fun and gaining some insight into a new sport.”
“I’m just coming off a huge block of training and raced theIronman Asia Pacific Championships two weeks ago inMelbourne (where she finished third). I had some well-deserved rest and will start ramping up my training againnext week. With two weeks to go, I’ll spend some time onmy bike to improve my bike skills and will add some openwater swims to my usual swim training. Will keep my run thesame, nice balance between off-road/track/concrete.”
Although Steffen is new to XTERRA she’s no stranger tomountain bikes and the great outdoors and with a nicknamelike “Xena the Warrior Princess,” should fit right into theXTERRA scene.
“I was an outdoor kid from a young age and before I startedwith triathlon I spent most of my time on the mountain bikeexploring the Swiss Alps,” said Steffen, who grew up in asmall village in Switzerland surrounded by mountains.“Sadly, however, as I moved towards triathlon and relocat-ed to Australia I had to leave my passion – my mountainbike – behind.”
Steffen has made Mooloolaba her home base for six yearsnow but having never visited Callala Beach before saidshe’s looking forward to discovering the beauty of NewSouth Wales.
CAROLINE
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CARINA
MEET THE PROS
CARINA WASLEKundl, Austria
2014 XTERRA Saipan Champion
FINAL 2014 XTERRA EUROPEAN TOUR RANK: 3PERSONAL: Born October 20, 1984.XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 11th year.2005: Finished 3rd at Austria in first-everXTERRA then wonXTERRA Germany. Placed 7th in XTERRA European Tour.2006: Finished 2nd at XTERRA Czech and XTERRA Spain,was 3rd at Denmark and won XTERRA Germany.2007: Placed 2nd at XTERRA Italy, 4th at XTERRADenmark, 3rd at XTERRA Austria, and won XTERRAGermany for 3rd straight year. Was 10th at World Champs.2008: Placed 3rd at European Championship in Italy, wonXTERRA Czech, was third at XTERRA France-Auron, andsecond at XTERRA France-Mondelieu. Finished 2nd inXTERRA European Tour standings. Placed third atXTERRA USA Championship, and 8th at XTERRA Worlds.2009: Placed 6th at XTERRA Italy, won XTERRA Czech,was 7th at XTERRA Germany, 2nd at XTERRA Austria, and4th at XTERRA USA Champs.2010: Placed 4th at XTERRA Portugal and the EuropeanChampionship in Italy, was third at XTERRA France, 5th atCzech, 10th at the USA Championship, and 6th at Worlds.2011: Won the XTERRA South Africa Championship, was3rd at XTERRA Philippines, 2nd at XTERRA Saipan, 5th atXTERRA Italy, won XTERRA Brazil, 2nd at XTERRAFrance, 4th at XTERRA Czech, 6th at XTERRA Germany,4th at XTERRA Switzerland, and 11th at USA Champs.2012: Placed 2nd at XTERRA South Africa, 5th at XTERRAItaly, 4th at France, 2nd at Czech, 4th at Germany andSwitzerland. Finished 3rd in XTERRA European Tour.Placed 8th at XTERRA USA Championship.2013: Placed 4th at XTERRA South Africa, 2nd at Saipan,third at Guam and XTERRA Great Ocean Road, 4th at NewZealand, 5th at Malaysia, 6th at Spain, 5th at Greece, 4th atCzech and Germany, and 6th at XTERRA USA Champs2014: Finished 5th at Switzerland, 2nd at France, Sweden,Italy, 4th at Czech, 11th at Germany, 4th at Denmark, 2nd atPhilippines, 3rd at Guam, won XTERRA Saipan, 4th atXTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship, 3rd at XTERRAMalaysia, 7th at the USA Championship, 10th at Worlds.2015: Finished 3rd at XTERRA South Africa and 2nd atXTERRA Saipan.
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In an effort to plant 500,000 trees by the end of 2016 as partof its “Tea Tree The Green Takeover” campaign, John PaulMitchell Systems will plant 30,000 trees with its partnerReforest’Action on behalf of all Asia-Pacific and U.S.XTERRA athletes, and create opportunities for thousandsmore in the XTERRA community to get involved.
“The Live More lifestyle that XTERRA embodies, and thefundamental belief in taking care of the environment areimportant to us, and I know it’s important to XTERRAathletes,” said Julie Solwold, the Vice President of GlobalSports and Events for John Paul Mitchell Systems.
On Earth Day, April 22, 2015, Paul Mitchell andReforest’Action will start planting thirty-thousand trees inPeru on behalf of all U.S. XTERRA athletes, and PaulMitchell is inviting all XTERRA athletes, race directors,families, and friends to plant an additional free tree by usingthe code XTERRAME at http://xterra.co/PMreforest.
Join The Green Takeover conversation online. Spread theword about Paul Mitchell’s mission and your contribution byposting our Green Takeover graphic, or upload your ownimage with the hashtag #GreenTakeover and don’t forget totag @PaulMitchellUS. “The XTERRA Tribe cares aboutnature and preserving it, and preventing global warming anddeforestation,” said Janet Clark, XTERRA President.“I think we’re all very lucky to have Paul Mitchell activatingfor our environment and that of future generations.”
Paul Mitchell’s eco-inspired Tea Tree brand has longsupported healthy forests, and for the second straight yearin conjunction with Reforest’Action – a Paris-basedenvironmental organization that plants trees worldwide toreforest areas in need –will plant Maya Nut trees in SanMartin Province, Peru. Located in the upper part of thePeruvian Amazon rainforest, San Martin Province is beingdeforested due to logging, mining, agriculture and an influxof settlers. While tropical forests like these only take up 6%of the world’s surface, they house an enormous volume ofplant and animal life.
The Tea Tree Green Takover program will also serve tosequester more than 85,000 tons of CO2 during the trees’lifetime, support rainforest conservation, benefit localcommunities through better health and nutrition, and protectsoil from depletion and erosion caused by deforestation.
Paul Mitchell is the longest-tenured sponsor in the history ofXTERRA, with the relationship dating back more than 20years. The 2015-2016 Paul Mitchell XTERRA Trail RunSeries will feature more than 100 runs in 20+ states acrossthe U.S. ranging from 5 kilometers to 50 kilometers. PaulMitchell is also a presenting sponsor of the 2015 XTERRAAmerica Tour, Asia-Pacific, and World Championships.
About John Paul Mitchell SystemsJohn Paul Mitchell Systems®, a top manufacturer of salon-only professional hair care products, has been serving theprofessional beauty industry for over 30 years. The compa-ny currently produces over 150 professional and consumerproducts (including the brands Paul Mitchell®, MITCH®,Awapuhi Wild Ginger®, Tea Tree, Paul Mitchell® ProTools™, and Neuro™ Tools) that have won over 45 beautyawards. John Paul Mitchell Systems products are soldthrough distributors to over 100,000 hair salons in NorthAmerica, and internationally, to thousands of hair salons in84 countries. John Paul Mitchell Systems offers comple-mentary education to stylists through a national network ofover 1,000 educators, and Paul Mitchell Schools trains over10,000 future professionals in over 100 locations nation-wide. John Paul Mitchell Systems does not test its productson animals, nor has it ever done so. In accordance withCEO John Paul DeJoria’s motto, “Success unshared is fail-ure,” The company has a strong commitment to giving back,supporting a wide range of philanthropic causes bothdomestically and internationally. For more information,please see our website http://www.paulmitchell.com or visitus on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. For more informa-tion about Paul Mitchell® Tea Tree, please contact LindseyProvost at 310.248.3888 or visit PaulMitchell.com.
XTERRA JOINS PAUL MITCHELL® IN THE GREEN TAKEOVER
TEAM UNLIMITED
TEAM Unlimited is a Hawaii-based television events and marketing company, foundedin 1988. It owns and produces XTERRA and in 2014 will offer more than 300XTERRA off-road triathlon and trail running races in 25+ countries worldwide. In theU.S. alone nearly 200,000 participants took part in the XTERRA lifestyle last year. Inaddition, TEAM TV has produced more than 300 adventure television shows resultingin three Emmy’s and 42 Telly Awards for production excellence since 1990. Viewsamples at www.xterra.tv, and learn more at xterraplanet.com and xterratrailrun.com.
XTERRA THROUGH TIME1996: Jimmy Riccitello and Michellie Jones win inaugural event in Wailea, Maui.1997: XTERRA adds two events in California, and one in Louisiana in addition to World Championship.1998: The XTERRA tour goes to Michigan, Colorado, Oregon, and back to Louisiana.1999: 11 races spanning from California to New Jersey. First year of Pro Points Series.2000: XTERRA goes global with its first international races in England, Japan, and Canada.2001: The first year of XTERRA in Australia - Jody Mielke and Paul Amey win the XTERRA Australia Championship2002: The inaugural XTERRA Saipan Championship, and races in Germany and the Czech Republic.
The XTERRA USA Championship Series expands to 31 races. 2003: The seventh consecutive year of expansion provides more than 50 events to compete in.2004: Forty-five events in the U.S., plus 33 international races and a full-fledged XTERRA European Tour2005: First year of the stand-alone XTERRA Trail Running Series and Nevada Passage Adventure Competition.2011: More than 100 XTERRA off-road triathlon races and 70+ XTERRA Trail Runs. The first year of the XTERRA Asia-
Pacific Tour with races in the Philippines, Saipan, Guam, and Japan2012: First year for the XTERRA Guam Championship and the “Triple Crown” of Guam, Philippines, and Saipan on back-
to-back-to-back weekends in March.2015: More than 300 events in 30 countries worldwide, including expanded Asia-Pacific Tour with races in Guam, New
Zealand, Philippines, Australia, Saipan, Tahiti and Malaysia, and the 2nd annual Asia-Pacific Championship.
The XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship race is produced by TEAM Unlimited LLC inconjunction with Elite Energy Events. Elite Energy is a sports and athletemanagement-marketing firm, dedicated to lifestyle sports development, creating newstandards in competition, format, equipment and competitor satisfaction. Established in1999, Elite Energy manages mass participation sporting, music and entertainmentevents where their company has produced many of Australia's leading multisportevents. Elite Energy is one of Australia’s premier event management specialists.
Their mission is to "make events memorable". Quality is a vital component in the development of their events and their goalis to satisfy the needs of sponsors, competitors, the triathlon industry and the public in a safe, healthy and memorableatmosphere.
Mark "Emo" Emerton, the founder and CEO of Elite Energy, served as the logistics manager for the Triathlon, Marathon,Race Walks, and Road Cycling events of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Learn more at www.EliteEnergy.com.au
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ELITE ENERGY
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XTERRA.TV - FREE 24/7 WEB TV NETWORKCheck out XTERRA.TV to watch a wide variety of XTERRA programming right now. Available content, which is updatedweekly, features everything from the XTERRA World Championship show to adventures in New South Wales, Australia.To see the XTERRA broadcast schedule visit www.xterraplanet.com.
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2015 XTERRA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING RACES
Date Race (Location) Elite WinnersFeb 8 XTERRA Philippines Championship (Albay, Luzon) + Brad Weiss / Flora DuffyFeb 22 XTERRA South Africa Championship (Grabouw) Stuart Marais / Flora DuffyMar 7 XTERRA Motatapu (South Island, New Zealand) Dougal Allan / Jess Simson & Simone MaierMar 28 XTERRA Saipan Championship (Micro Beach, CNMI) + Ben Allen / Jacqui SlackMar 29 XTERRA Costa Rica (Playa Reserva Conchal) Rom Akerson / Lesley PatersonMar 29 XTERRA Malta (Majjistral Nature Reserve, Mellieha) *SILVER Nico Fernandez / Brigitta PoorApr 11 XTERRA Guam Championship (Piti) +Apr 11 XTERRA New Zealand Championship (Rotorua)Apr 18 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship / XTERRA Australia (Jervis Bay, NSW, Australia) +Apr 25 XTERRA Tahiti (Mataiea)Apr 25 XTERRA West Championship (Lake Las Vegas, NV, USA) #Apr 26 XTERRA Reunion (Saint Gilles Les Bains, Reunion Island)May 2 XTERRA Asian Tour Championship / XTERRA Malaysia (Langkawi) +May 10 XTERRA Brazil Championship (Ilhabela)May 16 XTERRA Southeast Championship / USAT Cross Triathlon National Championship (Pelham, AL, USA) #May 16 XTERRA Portugal (Golega) *SILVERJune 7 XTERRA Spain (Extremedura) *GOLDJune 14 XTERRA East Championship (Richmond, VA, USA) #June 20 XTERRA Greece (Lake Plastira) *SILVERJune 27 XTERRA Switzerland (Vallee de Joux) *GOLDJune 27 XTERRA Mine over Matter (Ontario, Milton, Canada) !July 4 XTERRA Freedom Fest (Kaaawa, HI, USA) July 5 XTERRA Victoria (Victoria, B.C., Canada) !July 5 XTERRA France Championship (Xonrupt, Gerardmer) *GOLDJuly 11 XTERRA Sweden Championship (Hellasgaarden, Stockholm) *SILVERJuly 18 XTERRA Mountain Championship (Beaver Creek, CO, USA) #July 25 XTERRA Parry Sound (McDougall, Ontario, Canada)July 26 XTERRA Abruzzo (Lago di Scanno, Italy) *GOLDAug 8 XTERRA Mexico Championship (Tapalpa, Jalisco) Aug 8 XTERRA Czech Championship (Prachatice) *GOLDAug 15 XTERRA Germany Championship (Zittau) *GOLDAug 16 XTERRA Canmore (Canmore, Alberta, Canada) !Aug 22 XTERRA Adventure Fest Maui (Kapalua, HI, USA) Aug 23 XTERRA Quebec (Quebec City, Quebec, Canada) !Aug 29 XTERRA Japan Championship (Hokkaido) ++Aug 29 XTERRA Sleeping Giant (Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada) ! Aug 29 XTERRA Denmark (Tilsvilde) *SILVERAug 30 XTERRA European Championship / XTERRA England (Vachery Estate, Surrey) *GOLDSept 13 XTERRA Woolastook (Upper Kingsclear, New Brunswick, Canada) !Sept 19 XTERRA USA Championship (Ogden/Snowbasin, Utah, USA) #Nov 1 XTERRA World Championship (Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii)
*GOLD XTERRA European Tour - *SILVER XTERRA European Tour + 2015 XTERRA Asian Tour (++ 2015-16 Asian Tour) // # XTERRA America Tour / ! XTERRA Canada Series /
The Story of how a Sport was born, and a Brand evolved...
“The single best meeting ground for the
best triathletes in the world. Ironman,
ITU, Olympic, 70.3, Winter Triathlon,
and Mountain bike champs have all com-
peted at XTERRA.” – Jimmy Archer
“The Captain Morgan of triathlon!”
– Christiane Reetz
“A Way of Life,” – J. Rittling
“An Epic adventure that tests your will,”– Bruce Rogers
“The coolest, most diverse, challenging andfunnest competition ever!” – Molly Hummel
“An addiction,” – Jayne Peterlin
“Blood, Sweat, & Beers!” – J. Walsh
“An extreme test of endurance,skill, and guts.” – J. Middaugh
“Adventure!” – Mark Leishman
“One of the toughest thingsI’ve ever done, but well
worth it,” – Chris Holt
“A gnarly way to communewith nature!” – Brandyn Roark
Gray
“Living more through competition, meetingwonderful, like-minded people and traveling
to beautiful venues,” – Libby Harrow
XTERRA is ...
hile the first-ever XTERRAwas “born on the beach” onthe island of Maui in 1996,the origins of the brandwere rooted in events that
took place in the late '80's when Tom Kiely(pictured), the CEO of TEAM Unlimited, wastasked with creating more publicity for theWaikiki Oahu Visitors Association.
::: SPORTS TV WAS THE BIG IDEA :::
"First, sports are a big part of our culture inHawaii, and second, what looks better on TVthan the beaches and ocean," explained Kiely.
The concept was pretty simple. Sports andentertainment is one of the biggest industries inthe world and the travel industry is THEBIGGEST industry in the world. Bring those twotogether in programming, and you've got some-thing big.
So, Kiely came up with the idea for the HawaiianInternational Ocean Challenge - a lifeguardskills competition that attracted water safety spe-cialists from Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii,and California. Then, he forged a relationship
with ESPN - the worldwide leader in sports. In 1990 the Ocean Challenge was broadcast onESPN, and millions of viewers were exposed tothe beauty of Waikiki - the sun, sand, and crystalclear blue water of the Pacific Ocean.
"So we get into producing the Ocean Challenge,"says Kiely. "And now I'm thinking I've got allthese athletes and TV crews and if it costs methis much to produce one show, it'll cost less foranother, and even less for a third."
::: ESPN BUYS IN :::
ESPN approves two more shows (Waikiki King'sRace and Diamond Head Wahine WindsurfingClassic) and in 1991 TEAM Unlimited producedthree events and three TV shows. The conceptwas working, and Hawaii was reaping thebenefits of the outdoor exposure the shows weregenerating.
"So the next year (‘92) we produced sevenHawaiian Sports Adventure Shows.…multiplesegments, different stories, great scenics, and30-minutes of entertaining stuff," said Kiely.
Those seven shows were in addition to theOcean Challenge and a few other televisedevents, including theinaugural Tour O' Hawaii.
"Tour O’ Hawaii, now that wasa great event," said DaveNicholas, the race director forTEAM Unlimited.
"The Tour O' Hawaii happened before procyclists were allowed to compete in the Olympicsso the top riders from every country kept their
amateur status so they could race in theOlympics. We had George Hincapie, JanUlrich,Tyler Hamilton, and lots of others - a who'swho of international cycling," said Nicholas.
A few years later the Olympics allowed pros tocompete, road cycling in the U.S. was on thedecline, and the Tour O' Hawaii was no more. Atthe same time, however, mountain biking wastaking off. So in 1995, in addition to 12 other TVshows and several events, TEAM Unlimitedproduced the Hawaiian Mountain Tour.
In doing so Nicholas and mountain bike Hall-of-Famer Dean Crandall established the rules andheld the first-ever mountain bike stage race. Thisis also where many of the XTERRA greats firstappeared. The likes of Ned Overend, Shari Kain,Melanie McQuaid, Steve Larsen, Mike Kloser,Leslie Tomlinson, and host of others were takingpart in the Hawaiian Mountain Tour. Now theseraces took place at Kualoa Ranch on Oahu,where the Koolau mountain range meets theocean, and the story goes that after their racesthe mountain bikers would ride down to thebeach and jump in the water. It sparked anidea…why not have a mountain bike triathlon?
By 1996 TEAM Unlimited had produced morethan 50 shows and sporting events, and whilethe idea of an off-road triathlon was enticing...who'd pay for it?
::: LOOKING FOR A GRAND IDEA :::
Almost simultaneously, the Aston Hotel in Maui(now the Wailea Marriott Resort) was shoppingfor a good idea for their grand opening and theMaui Visitors Bureau was looking for a newevent that could tell a different story about Maui'ssouth shore because all the exposure up to thatpoint was golf. Well, what better way to show offthe hotel and south shore than 1) starting therace at this beautiful beach in front of the spon-sor hotel, 2) follow a race that covers 21 miles ofterrain with two dozen cameras, and 3) put it onTV for the whole world to see?
Kiely likes to define luck as the "intersection ofopportunity and activity. So, I called Aston andthe MVB and said O.K., I've got the idea, here'sthe thing ... bing, bang, boom," said Kiely.
PART I : THE PREQUEL
W
The XTERRA Story
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At the finish line of that very first race in 1996 itwas clear that XTERRA was going to be morethan just a one-off event. There was passion inthe eyes of the competitors and an unwaveringfeeling that XTERRA was destined to become alifestyle…a movement.
The Fox Sports Net broadcast of that originalevent (which you can watch in its entirety rightnow on XTERRA.TV) exposed the new andexciting sport to the nation, and the responseset the table for the future of a sport.
“That race was magical, and the reaction byeveryone – our staff, the competitors, the hotel,the Maui Visitors Bureau, the people thatwatched on TV, was that we had truly uncov-ered something special,” explained Kiely.
In the early days there was no grand strategy ormaster plan, rather more of a reaction to themarketplace and people saying ‘bring XTERRAto our community’.
As such TEAM Unlimited put on four XTERRAraces in 1997, five in 1998, and in 1999 thestars aligned with Nissan and a 10-stop “XTER-RA America Tour” was put in place to help thecar giant promote its new SUV in an authenticway.
“What we learned after that year was that 10events were not enough to satisfy the demand
for the thousands of people who wanted to getback to the roots of endurance sports, go off-road and have fun. A bigger event plan wasmandated,” said Janet Clark, President ofTEAM Unlimited.
To meet the challenge TEAM Unlimited shelvedits other event properties and concentrated onthe growth of XTERRA. A key ingredient in thatevolution would be Janet Clark, a former “AdWoman of the Year” while at Ogilvy and Mather.Born and raised in Canberra, Australia, Clarkbrought 25 years of media and marketingexperience to the table and together with Kielyand Nicholas - the “Big Three” put together aplan on how to take XTERRA to the next level.
Armed with the knowledge that a) XTERRA wasbuilding from the ground up and its grass rootsappeal was dynamic, b) the enthusiasm for thesport went beyond the U.S. borders, c) XTER-RA was turning into a media darling with signif-icant coverage in magazine, newspapers, andTV and, d) even people outside of triathlon wereattracted to XTERRA – the initial expansionsteps were written on the chalkboard:
t’s well documented thatthe first-ever XTERRA wasthe World Championship inMaui, but that race wasn’tactually called XTERRA,it was “AquaTerra.”
Turned out, however, that AquaTerra was trade-marked by a kayak company in South Carolinaand they wanted some big-time $$$ if TEAMUnlimited wanted to keep using the name.
Instead of dishing out cash to make the kayakcompany famous, Kiely came up with“XTERRA”.
“I wanted something that could mean manythings to many people so there would be roomfor expansion,” said Kiely. “The X is a numericalterm which means “unknown” and Terra is Latin
for land/territory, thus … “Unknown territory.” Kiely also had the foresight to register the namein all major product categories includingautomobile and it was just weeks later whenNissan – after months and a million dollarsworth of market research on what to name theirnew SUV – decided on Xterra and called him upto secure the rights.
Long story short, TEAM kept XTERRA andNissan got the license to the name for their newSUV in exchange for a sponsorship deal thatlasted nine years and spurred the growth ofXTERRA triathlons.
Part II : The StoryBehind the Name
“XTERRA is this cosmic blend of specialized training, arduous racing,incredible camaraderie and friendships with competitors and
TEAM Unlimited that defies description, and it’s an irreplaceable component of my life,” – Kent Robison
Clark is a “hands-on” executive, as seen here body marking a competitor before the race
I
Conrad “The Caveman” Stoltz is a 4x XTERRA WorldChamp and social marketing guru - see conradstoltz.com
PART III : THE MAGIC
- Reach as many communities as we can
- Produce a substantial national TV package
- Start planning for international growth
- Register and own the trademark name of XTERRA in all
of the primary countries for all appropriate categories
- Build the foundation of the XTERRA community
- Begin development of new XTERRA products, media
and properties
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TERRA has grown at anamazing rate through theyears. In 2000 theXTERRA Gear licensingbusiness was launched
and the World Tour was born with races inEngland, Japan and Canada.
In 2001 the XTERRA Point Series was createdwith 19 races leading up to the USAChampionship. The Series was (and still is)marvelously structured, providing a bona-fidechampionship for age-group athletes tocompete within their region, then against thebest across the U.S. to determine a legitimatenational champion. It opened the door fordestinations across the country to showcasetheir trails and natural beauty; and it solidifiedthe “Live More” lifestyle as like-minded athletesfrom all different backgrounds were creating theclosest of friendships through the sport.
The XTERRA Adventures TV Series was alsoborn in 2001 and the terms “Adventure” and“XTERRA” would be linked together forever. By2003 there were 50 XTERRA races to competein and by 2004 there was a full-blown XTERRAEuropean Tour.
The Year Two Thousand and Five marked theinaugural season for the Trail Running Series.In 2008 that Series culminated with the first-ever XTERRA Trail Running WorldChampionship – which was highlighted onXTERRA.TV, a 24/7 web TV network featuringXTERRA events and adventures from aroundthe world.
Part IV : From a Vision to a Lifestyle
X
Razor Ridge at the top of the XTERRA Worlds bike course in Maui
Each dirt-strewn step in XTERRA’s development built the foundation of the Brand – which
revolves around its community.
An Emerging Lifestyle Brand...
XTERRA Coffee
XTERRA TV
XTERRA Fitness - Treadmills, Fitness Bikes, Ellipticals
XTERRA Wetsuits
XTERRA Stand Up Paddleboards
XTERRA technical and active lifestyle apparel
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oday, 18 years after thatfirst race, XTERRA hasgrown into a globalphenomenon with morethan 300 events in 26countries. It has estab-
lished off-road tri and trail running series. It hasbranded products from wetsuits to watches tofitness equipment, tech wear and apparel. Itproduces a bevy of national and internationallybroadcast TV productions and hosts an onlinevideo channel. XTERRAPlanet.com garnersmore than 30 million impressions per year.There are training programs across the U.S.and introductory distance races for newcomers.The sport dishes out more than a half-milliondollars in prize money to attract the worlds lead-ing multisport athletes. XTERRA recognizeshometown heroes (everyday athletes from allwalks of life) as national and world champions.It puts on kids races and the XTERRAFoundation provides educational opportunitiesfor at-risk kids. And, it has an incredible line-upof sponsors & partners and tens of thousands ofthe most enthusiastic participants on the planet.
T
The executive summary for the 2013 XTERRAAnnual Report shaped up like this...
- 188,000 participants- 45 million TV viewers- 29 million advertising impressions- 4 million grassroots impressions- 247 million publicity impressions- 33 million website impressions
“XTERRA is ... family, friends, and fun. It’s always adventurous and younever know what’s in store for you – but you can always count on a
smile or a joke or something to make your day.” – Linda Lindsay
XTERRA Kids Rock!
Celebrating positive role models for the next generation Mother Nature is your toughest competitor
The Spooky Forest in Malaysia The Blood Rock section at XTERRA Alabama
Block Party after USA Championship in Ogden, UtahThe most scenic courses on the planet
Feb 24 XTERRA South AfricaGrabouw, Western Cape
M XTERRA PhilippinesCebuXTERRA Costa RicaPlaya ConchalXTERRA Saipan Northern MarianasXTERRA GuamPitiXTERRA AustraliaAsia-PacificChampionship in NSW
A XTERRA New ZealandIn Motatapu and RotoruaXTERRA MalaysiaPutrajayaXTERRA Spain Cieza, MurciaXTERRA GreeceLake PlastiraXTERRA Brazil Ilhabela, Sao PauloXTERRA SwitzerlandVallee de JouxXTERRA France Xonrupt, GerardmerXTERRA Canada
5 Five races from coast-to-coastXTERRA ItalyScanno, L'AquilaXTERRA MexicoTapalpa, JaliscoXTERRA Nordic SeriesSweden, Denmark & NorwayXTERRA CzechPrachaticeXTERRA Germany ZittauXTERRA MauritiusBois CheriXTERRA PortugalGolegaXTERRA EnglandCranleigh, SurreyXTERRA IrelandKillaloeXTERRA USA 70-race XTERRA America TourXTERRA World ChampionshipMaui, Hawaii
HONOR ROLLXTERRA World Tour
It was “the people” who nurtured XTERRA’s growth and it will be their desires, needs, andinterests that set the path for its future.
Many brands start with a product and then use marketing tools to try and build a relationship withthe community. XTERRA did the reverse…it began with the community – the active lifestylemarket - and everything flowed from that first impression, that initial connection.
With that comes another list, another chalkboard full of ideas and dreams and visions…
500 Events in 50 countriesMore than a million participants
XTERRA branded products success storiesAn XTERRA Television Network
XTERRA Experiential Retail StoresXTERRA Camps, Clinics, and Travel
XTERRA Health and Fitness Mobile Marketing ToursXTERRA Foundation working to make the world a better place
“The most important thing we created was a relationship, a friendshipwith our XTERRA Tribe,” said Kiely. “It is this foundation, this very real andauthentic relationship, that makes us a respected and recognizedemerging brand and it is what will carry us to great heights in the future.”
Part V : The Future
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