Stoltz and Bucher win the XTERRA West Championships
Canadians Kubush and McQuaid take fourth and fifth.
The women’s race was full of excitement at the XTERRA West Championship (1.5 km swim, 30 km MTB, 10 km trail run). Switzerland’s Renata Bucher rode the top split (1:20:19) to grab the lead, but the USA’s Lesley Paterson caught right back up with the top run of 41:09. The two battled it out in a manic sprint finish (as seen in the photos above) where Bucher came out on top (2:27:24). Calgary’s Danelle Kabush took fourth (2:36:41), and after winning Ironman 70.3 California, Victoria’s Melanie McQuaid had stomach issues and struggled on the bike and run to finish fifth (2:37:10).
Pro Women
1. Renata Bucher 2:27:24
2. Lesley Paterson 2:27:24
3. Emma Garrard 2:34:42
4. Danelle Kabush CAN 2:36:41
5. Melanie McQuaid CAN 2:37:10
View the sprint finish at the XTERRA Facebook page.
South Africa’s Conrad Stoltz used a dominating bike split (1:09:09) and ran a comfortable 40:04 to easily win in 2:08:22. American Josiah Middaugh came in next for second (2:10:02), and South Africa’s Dan Hugo finished third (2:13:07).
Pro Men
1. Conrad Stoltz 2:08:22
2. Josiah Middaugh 2:10:02
3. Dan Hugo 2:13:07
4. Chris Legh 2:13:35
5. Branden Rakita 2:15:18
XTERRA West Age Group Champions from Canada
Women 55 – 59 — Beverly Watson 3:08:35 (Priddis, Canada)
Men 40 – 44Â — Cal Zaryski 2:29:21 (Calgary, Canada)
