|
Xterra National Championship off-road triathlon returns to Tahoe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Tahoe World staff
|
|
Tuesday, 26 September 2006 |
|
|
|
|
 If you’ve noticed an abnormal amount of trimmed athletes in the Incline Village area the last couple of weeks it might be one of 700 Xterra athletes preparing for this weekend’s Nissan Xterra USA Championships and Xterra Nevada triathlons.
Whether it’s swimming in Lake Tahoe’s crystal clear waters or biking on the famed Flume trail with its spectacular views the Xterra off-road national championships are returning to Tahoe for it’s sixth year.
The Xterra Nevada race on Saturday is an open competition consisting of a 750-meter swim, 32-kilometer mountain bike ride and a 5-kilometer trail run. The USA Championships on Sunday consist of a 1500 meter swim, 32-kilometer mountain bike ride and a 10-kilometer trail run. Only qualified athletes can compete in the Sunday’s race. Both races start at the Hyatt beach and finish on the Village Green in Incline Village.
 Athletes from 32 states, 10 different countries will be fine tuning their training in preparation for this weekend. Local athletes competing in the Xterra races are thrilled to have the races in their backyard.
“It’s great being right here,” Ross McMahan of Incline Village said. “Knowing the downhill (on the bike course) and living at elevation helps.”
Fellow racer Conrad Snover of Truckee agrees with McMahan.
“I think it’s awesome and the course is the best in the world,” Snover said. “It’s such and amazing destination.”
Local athletes to look for in the Xterra USA Championships:
Name: Ross McMahan
Age: 36
Current Residence: Incline Village
Occupation: Home repair for McMahan Homes
Results: 1st at 2006 Southeast Regionals in 35-39 age group. 1st place Moonlight Basin Off-Road Triathlon 35-39 age group, 2nd overall. 3rd 2005 Xterra USA Championships in 35-39 age group, 32 overall.
Strengths: Running and mountain biking uphill
Thoughts while racing: Time, who I’m catching and who’s catching me.
 Name: Conrad Snover
Age: 31
Current Residence: Truckee
Occupation: Managing consultant for Denali Consulting.
Results: 1st place overall at REAL Mountain Bike Triathlon. 1st at 2006 West Regionals in 30-34 age group. 5th place 2005 Xterra USA Championships in 30-34 age group, 30th overall.
Strengths: Mountain biking.
Thoughts while racing: How much fun I am having thinking about anything else makes it unpleasant.
Name: Matt Chappell
Age: 28
Current Residence: Truckee
Occupation: Communications Manager for Tahoe Donner Association
Results: 5th in age group (21st overall) at 2006 Donner Lake Triathlon. 3rd in age group (9th overall) at Wild Ride Xterra Trithlon.
Strengths: Pretty well balanced in all disciplines.
Thoughts while racing: “I try to make sure I’m laughing and having fun the entire time.”
Details:
 Since April, thousands of amateur athletes have taken part in the challenge of the Nissan Xterra USA Championship Series. Through the trials of these 50 races, spanning 32 states from coast-to-coast and reaching as far as Alaska and Hawaii, a determined few have qualified to race for the ultimate prize. On October 1 in Nevada, the best-of-the-best XTERRA racers from age 15-to-70 will challenge each other, and Mother Nature, for the prestigious national championship crown.
The race, now in its sixth year in Incline Village, will be filmed and edited into a one-hour special that will be seen by millions of viewers across the country via national syndication starting in November.
It all starts at the beach fronting the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe where competitors swim two laps of a 750-meter course in the spring-fed, crystal clear waters located 6,200 feet above sea level. A short run to the grassy transition area at Village Green follows the swim.
The second element is a legendary 32-kilometer, single loop mountain bike course. The first off-road section greeting riders is a 1,600-foot climb up Tunnel Creek Road to Tahoe’s famed Flume Trail. The “Flume” is a 4.4-mile section of single track known for its exposed crossing of sheer rock faces & incredible sweeping vistas.
At the aspen-clad Marlette Lake, a second leg-burning climb on Hobart Road takes racers to the Tahoe Rim Trail. Halfway into the 6.6-mile section is the Marlette Lake Overlook at 8,700 feet above sea level (the highest point on the XTERRA course). From the top, a 2,500-foot descent to the second transition area resembles “Toad’s Wild Ride” as it passes through a series of switchbacks.
The last leg of the race is a 10-kilometer forest trail run consisting of two 5-kilometer laps through some of nature’s most arduous obstacles. While the run course remains relatively flat, there are numerous short, steep climbs and quick descents. Splashing through glacial creeks, balancing along narrow log and rock crossings, and skipping over boulders are just a few of the final tests of skill and endurance. The run course also passes through the crowd at the compound, who will hoot, holler, monitor, and react to all the action. Note: The XTERRA Nevada course on Saturday is identical to that of the main event, except the swim and run segments are half-the-distance. XTERRA Nevada is open to all. The USA Championship is invite-only.
XTERRA PRO RACING = $110,000 PRIZE PURSE
The professionals competing in Nevada are among the best mountain bikers and triathletes on the planet ? drawing not only from the U.S., but also overseas. This is the last of six events in the Nissan Xterra U.S. Championship Series for pros, and to the winner goes the spoils! A total of $110,000 is up for grabs, 40k for the race purse and 70k to the top point scorers in the Series. Of the more than 50 international elites toeing the start line, here are the favorites:
MORE THAN JUST A RACE, EXPERIENCE THE ALL-STAR WEEKEND
Not just for XTERRA racers, the events and activities at the XTERRA off-road sports festival offer an adventure for everyone. Located at the Village Green in Incline Village, visitors to the XTERRA festival will find big white tents filled with everything from the latest in XTERRA Gear to the new Nissan Xterra SUV. It’s headquarters for all the outdoor action, and a great place to spend some idle time after running in the 5k or finishing up a big plate of BBQ. There’s music playing, prize giveaways, kids games, and all the buzz one could imagine from a rockin’ outdoor EXPO. On Sunday you can even get a professional haircut from Paul Mitchell stylists in exchange for a donation to the Challenged Athletes Foundation. In addition to the big race, there is a weekend-long outdoor lifestyle celebration that includes:
FUN FOR KIDS
It’s good to be a kid at the XTERRA Village. At the Nissan Kids Base Camp there are running and bike races just for the youngsters. Experts even teach the basics of bike mechanics and bike safety. There are obstacle courses and agility drills, and every kid wins prizes and awards. It’s all free, and all fun!
NISSAN KID’S SPRINT
The kid’s running sprint race is a short course that takes place right in the XTERRA Village area.
SHIMANO YOUTH SERIES BIKE RACE
The Shimano Youth Series bike race, designed to provide youngsters with the opportunity to participate like their parents in a positive and fun environment, is open to everyone 12 and under. Each race matches bikers of the same age - or about the same size - in the same race, so the pre-teen future BMX pro won’t be buzzing past any 3-year-olds on training wheels! This is an event not to be missed.
NISSAN KIDS BASE CAMP SCHEDULE
SATURDAY
8-9am Nissan Kids Sprint Registration
9:05am Nissan Kids Sprint
9:30am-4pm Challenge Stations Open
10-11am ABCD’s of Bike Safety Clinic
11am-12pm Bike Rodeo Course Open
12 Noon Shimano Youth Series Bike Race
2-3pm ABCD’s of Bike Safety Clinic
3pm Nissan Kids Sprint
3-4pm Bike Rodeo Course Open
SUNDAY
9:30am-3pm Challenge Stations Open
10-11am ABCD’s of Bike Safety Clinic
11am-12pm Bike Rodeo Course Open
Note: Parents must register their children on-site prior to participating in Base Camp activities. Participation is free.
XTERRA NEVADA
While only a select few will qualify for the championship race on Sunday, one-and-all are eligible to compete in the XTERRA Nevada open competition on Saturday, Sept. 30. The race is comprised of three disciplines: a 750-meter swim, 32-kilometer mountain bike, and 5k trail run. While the swim and bike segments are half-the-distance of the championship course, the mountain bike leg is identical to that of the main event.
You can even create a two or three person group - where one person does the swim, another the bike, and the other the run - and enter the XTERRA Nevada relay team competition. This is a great way to have fun with family and friends even if all three disciplines aren’t your thing. If you need help completing a team drop us a note at
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
and we’ll help hook you up.
XTERRA NEVADA SCRAMBLE 5K/10K
Finally, a race that will take your breath away! The XTERRA Nevada Scramble isn’t your average Saturday morning run. It’s dirty, dusty, crooked, muddy and gutsy. Moreover, it’s fun, with creek crossings and twisty turny paths through the woods. Venture out on a scenic trek through the high-country and exercise your way to the start of a great day. The short distance is great for families while the serious runner will revel in the challenges of the 10k.
XTERRA UNIVERSITY
Get to know the Pros! Under the Paul Mitchell tent in a relaxed and casual environment the best professional athletes in the sport - the ones who will race for the championship on Sunday - give free advice all day Saturday. Topics of discussion include swimming, mountain biking, and trail running, and they’ll even get specific about how to best handle the Flume Trail. At the session titled “the Art of XTERRA”, the focus broadens to include guidelines on nutrition, goal setting, and strategy, as well as the psychological tricks of the trade.
NISSAN XTERRA SUV SHOW
Proud Nissan Xterra owners get the chance to show off their SUV in the middle of the XTERRA Village on Saturday. Judges from Nissan award trophies for “Best Stock”, “Best Custom”, and “Xterra Lifestyle”. After the show owners take off on a four-wheel drive adventure.
Schedule of Events:
Village Green, Incline Village, NV
September 29-October 1, 2006
Friday, September 29:
1-6pm XTERRA Nevada/Nissan Xterra USA Championship Registration and Packet Pick-up
3-4pm XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell, Swim Clinic hosted by Brent McMahon and Ingrid Rolles
4-5pm XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell, Art of XTERRA hosted by Conrad Stoltz, Melanie McQuaid, Seth Wealing, and Candy Angle
5-6pm XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell, Mountain Bike Clinic hosted by Mike Vine and Jamie Whitmore
Saturday, September 30:
6:30-8:30am XTERRA Nevada Registration, Packet Pick-up/Body Marking and Transition Open
8:30-9:30am XTERRA Nevada Scramble Registration
8:45am Mandatory Competitor Briefing at Hyatt Beach Swim Start
9am XTERRA Nevada Start (750m swim, 32k mtb, 5k trail run) at Hyatt Beach
9am Expo Open, Exhibits, Food Booths, Climbing Wall presented by Nevada
9am-2pm Nissan Kids Base Camp, Registration and Challenge Stations Open
9:30am-3pm Nissan Xterra USA Championship Registration and Packet Pick-up
10am Nissan Xterra Owners “Best of Show” Contest
10am XTERRA Nevada Scramble (5K/10K) Start
10:05am Nissan Xterra Kids Base Camp - Nissan Kids Sprint Start
10:20/42am Scramble (5K/10K) Winners Expected
11:20am XTERRA Nevada Male Winner Expected
11:30am XTERRA Scramble Awards Ceremony
12:00pm XTERRA Nevada Female Winner Expected
12:30pm Nissan Xterra Owners “Best of Show” Awards Ceremony
12:30pm XTERRA Nevada Competitors BBQ (included in registration)
1:00pm Nissan Xterra Owners Excursion/Lunch
1:00pm XTERRA Nevada Cut-off at T2
1:30pm XTERRA Nevada Awards Ceremony
3pm Expo Close
6:00pm USA Championship Race Briefing at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe
6:30pm “Night of Champions” Dinner - Introduction of Nissan Xterra Regional Champions & Mr/Ms XTERRA
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe (admission included in USA Championship registration. Tickets for sale to XTERRA Nevada competitors, families and friends.)
Sunday, October 1:
6:30am Body Marking and Transition Open
8:45am Mandatory Competitor Briefing at Hyatt Beach Swim Start
9am Nissan Xterra USA Championship Start (1.5K swim, 32k mtb, 10k trail run)
9am Expo Open, Exhibits, Food Booths, Climbing Wall presented by Nevada
9am-12pm Nissan Kids Base Camp, Registration and Challenge Stations Open
10am-2pm Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon, benefit for the Challenged Athletes Foundation
10am Nissan Xterra Kids Base Camp - Shimano Youth Series, free bike races for kids
11:35am Nissan Xterra USA Championship Male Winner Expected
12:00pm Nissan Xterra USA Championship Female Winner Expected
1:30pm Nissan Xterra USA Championship Cut-off at T2
1:30pm Nissan Xterra USA Championship Competitor BBQ, Aspen Grove
2pm Nissan Xterra USA Championship Awards Ceremony, Aspen Grove
3pm Expo Close
More information online:
For more information and registration call toll-free 1-877-751-8880 or visit www.xterraplanet.com. Registration still available for XTERRA Nevada (including relay team competitions), and XTERRA Nevada Scramble 5k/10k.
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 26 September 2006 )
|
|
|
