XTERRA World Championship in one week
A new swim and bike course awaits the racers in Kapalua, Maui.
For the second straight year the XTERRA Worlds course will traverse Maui Land & Pineapple Company’s 22,000-acre Kapalua oasis. Things have changed since the inaugural season, however, with significant changes to the swim and bike courses.
The race starts the same, with a 1.5-kilometer rough water swim at D.T. Fleming Beach fronting the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua; but for the first-time ever – it will feature wave starts beginning with pro men and women, then all age group men, then all age group women.
“We love the mass start but with a record-field of more than 700, it’s a matter of athlete safety,” explained race director Dave Nicholas. “This year the swim course will be like an Australian M course, so we’ll still have the famous XTERRA beach run where family and friends can see where you are in the pack.”
An overview of the swim/ocean safety briefing video.
Once on the bike riders will navigate from the Ritz to a ridgeline – down to a ravine – and back up again, “like a tropical roller-coaster ride through pineapple fields and forests.”
The bike is one big 18.8-mile loop with 3,100-feet of climbing that goes up-and-down the lower slopes of the West Maui Mountains more than a dozen times. This year several technical single and double track sections have replaced dirt jeep roads.
“The new stuff has tight, twisting, sharp corners, space just wide enough for your handlebars, places if you don’t get it right you’ll hit your shoulder on a tree,” said Nicholas. “Almost all of the dirt roads have been eliminated on the way to the top and this will appeal to the better bikers. At about the five-mile mark you will pop out on a narrow ridge trail with hundred foot drop offs on either side. Don’t panic – the top is at least 15′ wide and the views of the surrounding forest and hills are simply spectacular. If I didn’t fall off – neither will you. In fact, if you come early and preview the course, bring your camera with you. The scenery is something that not many people get a chance to see.”
Once on the 10K run competitors will be faced with a whole lot of climbing while they weave along dirt trails, through Oleander forests, and into 60-foot high ironwood evergreens to an unexpected mountain lake at the 700-foot level.
“It descends like a slalom course through high green Bermuda grasses and opens up in spots to expose fantastic views of the Pacific,” said Nicholas. “Obstacles are everywhere, including a technical, steep downhill into a gully where racers will have to jump over and duck under fallen trees, navigate a rocky dry creek, head through thick elephant grass, up a short rope-assisted scramble and along a narrow single track trail with switchbacks that drop all the way down to the beach. The final test of skill and endurance is a calf-busting 250-meter sandy beach run.”
KONA TO KAPALUA – MASTER SNOBLE LEADS AMATEUR DOUBLE CHASE
Anthony Snoble, the founder and master instructor at Victory Martial Arts Kempo Jui Jitsu system in New York, is in for a good fight next Sunday as he tries to win his first Hawaiian Airlines Double belt.
Snoble, a long-time XTERRA racer/ambassador, has qualified and raced in every XTERRA Worlds since 2002. This will be his first time, however, racing on a body that just logged 140.6 miles. He went 10:06:37 in his Kona debut on Saturday, giving him a nine-minute advantage over Brett Dunstan from Australia, a 23-minute head start against Chad Jarrett of California, and a 28-minute advantage over Patrick Clark – Hawaii’s lone doubler.
Dunstan didn’t race Worlds last year, but he did finish 3rd in the Kapalua 10K – same run course – turning in a super-fast time of 44:21. The other three guys all have times from the XTERRA World Championship at Kapalua last year to compare with Jarrett finishing in 3:00:18, Clark in 3:05:26, and Snoble in 3:18:01.
In the women’s race Erica Dueger of New Hampshire has a 14 minute lead over Rebecca Fondermann of Germany.
The race is on, and both the men’s and women’s winner will receive 120,000 frequent flyer miles on Hawaiian Airlines, which flies to New York, all over the west coast, Asia, and the South Pacific.
Sebastian Kienle, the reigning Ironman 70.3 World Champ and 4th-place finisher at IM Worlds in Kona, appears to be the lone pro in the Double field – which means so long as he finishes he’ll walk away with the $2,500 Hawaiian Airlines bonus.
“I’ve been doing XTERRA’s since 2005 and absolutely love it,” said Kienle. “And, I’m recovering very well. There is still some steam left.”
Dirk Bockel, who was 10th in Kona, was hoping to race at XTERRA but after breaking his hand there was no way. For the women, Mary Beth Ellis (5th in Kona, top American) is scheduled to take part but has yet to confirm.
Here’s a look at the tentative list of those that competed at Ironman Worlds on Saturday and are now in Maui getting ready for some fun at XTERRA Worlds next Sunday.
Name (Hometown) Division – IM Time
Sebastian Kienle (Hohenklinger, Germany) MPro – 8:27:08
Anthony Snoble (East Islip, NY) M35-39 – 10:06:37
Brett Dunstan (Geelong, Victoria, Australia) M40-44 – 10:15:33
Chad Jarrett (Costa Mesa, CA) M40-44 – 10:29:30
Patrick Clark (Aiea, Hawaii) M35-39 – 10:34:51
Jeff Bassett (Scottsdale, Arizona) M45-49 – 10:50:07
Erica Dueger (Concord, New Hampshire) F45-49 – 11:30:25
Rebecca Fondermann (Bonn, Germany)Â F30-34 – 11:44:16
Pablo Ureta (Huerta Grande, Argentina) M30-34 – 11:46:33
Carol Rasmussen (Karlslunde, Denmark) F45-49 – 11:54:58
LUCK STONE’S TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE PLACES XTERRA ATHLETES ON THE MAP
Luck Stone and XTERRA will launch a three-part technology package to transform the athlete and spectator experience at the XTERRA World championship triathlon. The technology package will advance the viewing experience through a social media map / hashtag #XTERRAMAUI, GPS athlete trackers, and live streaming video.
Bob Grauer, president of Luck Stone, noted “our partnership with XTERRA has been mutually rewarding because of our entrepreneurial and competitive spirit and focus on the success of others.” Grauer added. “We are proud to partner with XTERRA again and offer athletes and fans worldwide to experience the competition through the competitors’ lens. XTERRA continually inspires us to think creatively, take risks, and strive for greatness.”
The technology package will add a new dimension to the race in Hawaii by enriching the viewing experience, providing real-time coverage of the competition to on- and off- site spectators and bringing athletes and spectators closer together.
Originally introduced at XTERRA East Championships in Richmond, Va. in June then at the XTERRA National Championships in Ogden, Ut. in Sept., XTERRA and Luck Stone continue to evolve and advance the technology package.
Luck Stone is working to enrich the XTERRA experience is by creating an interactive social media map. Spectators are encouraged to utilize the hashtag #XTERRAMAUI to link up on Twitter, share their experience and generate excitement through picture-sharing, geotagging and reporting.
The second-part feature is a GPS device worn by the elite athletes that tracks their location, distance, and speed. Like the camera footage, this information will also be available to view online at www.xterralive.com.
The third-part includes cameras operating at different location-points throughout the course streaming live video feed on to the web, enabling viewers to watch the race and cheer on the athletes in real time. Live video fees will be displayed on several large monitors at the World Championship in Maui.
DR. McLAUGHLIN & TEAM MITOCANADA
Dr. Kyle McLaughlin, a 36-year-old from Canmore, Alberta, Canada, is one of 725 racers from 31 countries who signed up for the XTERRA World Championship. He’s the only one, however, racing with the sole purpose of shining the spotlight on Mitochondrial Disease.
“Kyle has the rare ability to balance being a dad, full-time physician, elite multisport athlete, and giving back thru charity,” said Blaine Penny, the President and CEO of MitoCanada whose own son was diagnosed with Mitochondrial disease three-and-a-half years ago.
McLaughlin met Penny and his son, Evan, just a little more than a year ago at a running race in support of MitoCanada and has since championed the cause.
“What he has achieved has been nothing short of inspirational and remarkable in terms of awareness, members, events, results, and fundraising,” said Penny. “Over the last year with Team MitoCanada Kyle has attracted more than 250 members across eight provinces whose participation in 50+ events (skiing, running, cycling and triathlon) has raised over $100,000.”
Approximately 1 in 6,000 people are affected by Mitochondrial disease. It is estimated that less than 10% of the people affected are diagnosed due to the complex nature of the disease, and it is often misdiagnosed.
To learn more or join in the movement visit mitocanada.org
XTERRA WORLD’S PRO LIST – AS OF 10.19.12
In order of finish position in 2011, then alphabetical
Bib # (place at last year’s WC) – Name – Age, Hometown
1 (3) – Eneko Llanos – 35, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
2 (4) - Josiah Middaugh – 34, Vail, Colorado
3 (6) – Olivier Marceau – 39, Vallauris, France (SUI)
4 (8) – Richard Ussher – 36, Nelson, New Zealand
5 (9) – Jan Kubicek – 32, Chodov City, Czech Republic
6 (10) – Chris Legh – 39, Lyons, Colorado (AUS)
7 (11) – Sam Gardner – 37, Surrey, United Kingdom
8 (13) – Nicolas Lebrun – 39, Digne-les-Bains, France
9 (14) – Mike Vine – 39, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
10 (17) – Jim Thijs – 32, Huldenberg, Belgium
11 (18) – Branden Rakita – 31, Colorado Springs, Colorado
12 (22) – Llewellyn Holmes – 30, Bristol, United Kingdom
14 (23) – Felipe Moletta – 25, Sao Jose Dos Pinhais, Brazil
15 (29) – Ben Allen – 27, North Wollongong, Australia
16 (31) – Cody Waite – 34, Lakewood, Colorado
17 (32) – Cid Santos – 30, Natal, Brazil
18 (33) – Will Ross – 23, Anchorage, Alaska
19 (36) – Pierre Facomprez – 29, Nervers, France
20 – Jimmy Archer – 40, Boulder, Colorado
21 – Francois Carloni – 27, Frejus, France
22 – Leonardo Chacon – 28, Liberia, Costa Rica
23 – Braden Currie – 26, Wanaka, New Zealand
24 – Brice Daubord – 27, Orleans, France
25 – Gianpietro De Faveri – 43, Vittorio Veneto, Italy
26 – Victor Del Corral – 32, Santa Olivia, Spain
27 – Tim Don – 34, London, United Kingdom
28 – Craig Evans – 34, Hendersonville, Tennessee
29 – Jan Francke – 43, Jablonec nad Nisou, Czech Republic
30 – Denilson Freitas – 44, Serra, Brazil
31 – Javier Gomez – 29, Pontevedra, Spain
32 – Damian Gonzalez – 36, Stockton, California
34 – Jordan Jones – 31, Golden, Colorado
35 – Sebastien Kienle – 28, Hohenklingen, Germany
36 – Mark Leishman – 34, Rotorua, New Zealand
37 – Yeray Luxem – 26, Merksem, Belgium
38 – Brent McMahon – 32, Victoria, B.C., Canada
39 – Takahiro Ogasawara – 32, Tokyo, Japan
40 – Max Renko – 27, Vienna, Austria
42 – Felix Schumann – 30, Bad Wimpfen, Germany
43 – Francisco “Paco” Serrano – 32, Garza Garcia, Mexico
44 – Asa Shaw – 28, Frejus, France (GBR)
45 – Conrad Stoltz – 39, Stellenbosch, South Africa
46 – Kenji Takeya – 43, Misato, Japan
47 – Jean-Philippe Thibodeau – 22, Baie-Saint-Paul, Canada
# (place at last year’s WC) – Name – Age, Hometown
101 (1) – Lesley Paterson – 32, San Diego, California (GBR)
102 (2) – Marion Lorblanchet – 29, Clermont Ferrand, France
103 (3) – Helena Erbenova – 33, Jablonec nad Nisou, Czech
104 (4) – Renata Bucher – 35, Lucerne, Switzerland
105 (5) – Danelle Kabush – 37, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
107 (9) – Brandi Heisterman – 37, Brackendale, B.C., Canada
108 (15) – Suzie Snyder – 30, Stafford, Virginia
109 (17) – Catherine Dunn – 50, Wellington, New Zealand
110 (21) – Caroline Colonna – 48, Taos, New Mexico
111 – Katie Button – 27 Collingwood, Ontario, Canada
114 – Tamara Donelson – 37, Edwards, Colorado (AUS)
115 – Heather Jackson – 28, Carlsbad, California
116 – Christine Jeffrey – 40, Tucson, Arizona (CAN)
117 – Melanie McQuaid – 39, Victoria, B.C., Canada
118 – Elizabeth Orchard – 26, Epsom, New Zealand
119 – Mari Rabie – 26, Stellenbosch, South Africa
120 – Barbara Riveros – 25, La Pintana ,Chile
121 – Jacqui Slack – 29, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
122 – Magali Tisseyre – 31, St-Sauveur, Canada
124 – Shonny Vanlandingham – 43, Durango, Colorado
XTERRA WORLDS QUICK FACTS
WHAT IS XTERRA: The world’s premier off-road triathlon, combining a 1.5-kilometer (1-mile) swim that starts in front of the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua … a 30-kilometer (18.6-miles) mountain bike that climbs more than 3,000 feet up and down the lower slopes of the West Maui Mountains, and a 10-kilometer (6.1-miles) trail run that traverses forest trails, and beach sand. Top pros finish in roughly two-and-a-half hours.
WHO RACES IN MAUI: A sold-out field of 725 racers including 65 professionals and 650+ amateurs representing 31 countries & 42 U.S. states, ages 15 (Jakob Dewald) to 75 (Ron Hill). 96% of the field is from out of town.
WHEN: The XTERRA World Championship starts at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 28. The XTERRA Kapalua 5km and 10km trail runs are on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: At the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua on Maui’s northwest coast.
WHY: The XTERRA World Championship race is the last in a series of more than 100 off-road triathlon races held in 15 countries and 38 U.S. States. The concept is to provide a bona-fide world championship for amateur and pro off-road triathletes. For pros there is $100,000 in prize money at stake.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED: Amateurs enter the World Championship through one of two means:
1. Earn a slot by qualifying as one of the top finishers in their age group at an XTERRA Championship race in Brazil, Canada, Philippines, Czech Republic, France, Guam, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Saipan, South Africa, Switzerland and Alabama, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Virginia in the United States. For those “lucky-you-live-Hawaii-guys” there were two local qualifying races at Kualoa Ranch on Oahu.
2. Enter through the at large drawing – a limited number of slots were offered on a first-come first-serve basis in January.
XTERRA  BACKGROUND: This is year 17 for the XTERRA World Championship on Maui – the birthplace of off-road triathlon. The first XTERRA race was held here on November 3, 1996 with just 123 participants and was televised on Fox Sports Net. The demand for the sport of XTERRA exploded thereafter and there are now more than 30,000 competitors from all 50 states and more than 40 countries worldwide.
TELEVISION: This will be the 17th straight year a nationally broadcast one-hour show will be produced on the event, which showcases Maui’s natural beauty. The 2011 XTERRA World Championship show (watch it at www.xterra.tv) has been seen by some four million viewers via national syndication (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) and Fox Sports Network. This year’s show will start its run in national syndication in mid-January 2013.
ECONOMIC IMPACT: Direct visitor expenditures from the 2011 XTERRA World Championship were almost $5 million. According to the economic impact study conducted by Professor Bob Case of Old Dominion University, the average length of stay on Maui is 7.4 nights (9.1 nights in Hawaii), the average party size is 2.9, and 73% of the field had a household income of more than $75,000 (40% over $150,000).
Related Articles:
