The World’s Greatest Off-Road Triathlon Since 1996 2009 PRESS GUIDE 2009 LOEWS XTERRA WEST CUP SPONSORS The 2009 Loews XTERRA West Cup is title sponsored by Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort and presented by Paul Mitchell and XTERRA.TV. Sponsors include GU, XTERRAGear.com, Rodale, Zorrel, Gatorade, Choice Hotels, and the Nevada Commission on Tourism. XTERRA Discount Code 00224890 In 1996 mountain biking and triathlon met in a duel of the fittest on the island of Maui. The race consisted of an open- ocean swim, a mountain bike race, and a trail run. It represented a bold new racing format that attracted outdoor enthusiasts, adventure seekers, mountain bikers and triathletes. The mountain bikers brought their laid-back style and bold self-assurance. The triathletes brought their hard-core training and avid dedication. They soon discovered a common spirit and attitude that pulled them together. For as different as they are, neither could resist the challenges and thrills this new multisport offered. Since that day XTERRA has grown into the world’s leading off-road triathlon with more than 100 races in 13 countries this year, including 60 in the XTERRA America Tour alone. The typical XTERRA is comprised of the following: 1.5 kilometer (0.93-mile) swim in an ocean, lake, or river 30 kilometer (18.6-mile) mountain bike on off-road trails 10 kilometer (6.2-mile) trail run on a variety of surfaces ON THE COVER: 2008 XTERRA U.S. Pro Series Champions 2009 marks the 13th consecutive year of expansion for Melanie McQuaid and Conrad Stoltz on top, and XTERRA Amateur XTERRA with races in 32 states, and welcomes a new National Champions Joshua Olmstead and Erin Kummer on bottom. eight-stop nationwide Cup Series racing format. TABLE OF CONTENTS Each of XTERRA’s eight regions in the U.S. will host an XTERRA Cup championship race with $10,000 in prize XTERRA America Tour Introduction . .3 money for pros and 41 qualifying spots into the XTERRA Loews XTERRA West Cup Preview/Schedule . .4-5 World Championship for amateurs. Age group competitors Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon and XTERRA University . .6 will also earn points at the Cup Series races in pursuit of Loews XTERRA West Cup Course Map/Directions . .7 winning their region and qualifying for the invite-only Kahuna’s Korner and Pro Start List . .8-9 XTERRA USA Championship held in Utah on Sept. 26. 2009 XTERRA Cup Series for Pros . .10 XTERRA Pro Biographies . .11-25 2009 XTERRA America Tour Prize Money Breakdown . .26 This guide will breakdown the who, what, when, where and Past XTERRA U.S. Pro Series Results . .27-28 why of the first XTERRA Cup race - the West Cup - and How the XTERRA America Tour Works (for amateurs) . .29-31 introduce you to some of the professional athletes that will 2009 XTERRA America Tour Schedule . .32 race in the world’s premier off-road triathlon at Loews Lake 2008 XTERRA USA Amateur Champions . .33 Las Vegas Resort on Saturday, May 2. 2008 XTERRA Age Group Regional Champions . .34-35 2008 XTERRA World Tour Results . .36 2009 XTERRA World Tour Schedule . .37 2009 XTERRA USA Championship . .38 2009 XTERRA World Championship race preview . .39 Produced by XTERRA Trail Running Series Overview and Schedule . .40-41 How XTERRA started & the world of XTERRA overview . .42-43 XTERRAGear.Com News . .44 About TEAM Unlimited and XTERRA.TV . .45-46 3 LOEWS XTERRA WEST CUP PREVIEW Forget the glitz and glamour, the world’s greatest athletes are headed to Vegas for the dust and dirt of the Loews XTERRA West Cup off-road triathlon at Lake Las Vegas, Nevada on May 2. Nearly 40 of the best triathletes, mountain bikers, and adventure racers on the planet are headed to Henderson for a showdown that entails a one-mile swim in Lake Las Vegas, an 18-mile mountain bike up, down, & around the expansive and private desert surrounding the resort, and a 6.2-mile trail run that will test the endurance and determination of even the fittest athletes. Among them are two-time Olympian and three-time Challenged Athletes Foundation, and the post-race party XTERRA World Champ Conrad “the Caveman” Stoltz from will be the stuff of legends, unfolding onsite at the Loews South Africa, former Ironman Canada Champion Jasper Hotel Nuala Pool with great food, slideshows, music, and Blake, 2-time U.S. mountain bike & Ironman USA champ swimming. After the event is the “Gimme Shelter” concert Steve Larsen, and French multisport legend Nico Lebrun. featuring Rolling Stones tribute band Jumping Jack Flash on the lake at Montelago Village, a benefit for Heaven Can In the women’s race you’ll find America’s most successful Wait sanctuary. mountain biker of all-time, Shonny Vanlandingham, Olympic triathlete Fabiola Corona from Mexico, one of the most “There could be no better place to kick off the season than decorated female adventure racers in U.S. history, Sari at Lake Las Vegas,” said David Nicholas, the managing Anderson, three-time XTERRA European Champion director of the XTERRA World Tour. “Whether you gamble Renata Bucher from Switzerland, and three-time XTERRA or not, Las Vegas is one fascinating place. The lights, the World Champion Melanie McQuaid from Canada. shows, the restaurants are absolutely world class, and now we have an XTERRA race at a first class resort just minutes This race is the first of eight big XTERRA Cup championship from the Strip and the airport. This event promises to be races in the nationwide XTERRA America Tour that boasts epic.” 60 races in 32 states. There is $10,000 in prize money for pros and 41 qualifying slots into the XTERRA World Championship up for grabs to amateur racers (see page 39 for breakdown of slots). More than 300 athletes representing 23 U.S. States and nine XTERRA has nine years of history and heritage in Nevada, countries are signed up for the challenge. and the XTERRA USA Championship itself was born in the Silver State back in 2001. Amateur racers of note include KTNV Channel 13’s own Nina Radetich, mixed martial arts star Nick Diaz, and Nevada holds a special place in the hearts of XTERRA XTERRA age group world champions Tom Lyons and Kent athletes from around the nation and world. As proof, Robison from Reno. athletes from 43 states and 14 countries raced at the XTERRA USA Championship in Incline Village in 2008. Aside from the XTERRA West Cup, there is also a half- distance XTERRA Sport race and relay team competitions Although the XTERRA USA Championship has moved to available. Utah for 2009, XTERRA racers will still be able to enjoy the epic course in Northern Nevada when the XTERRA Lake The best Paul Mitchell stylists in Nevada will be onsite Tahoe off-road triathlon takes place on August 29, 2009 in giving haircuts in exchange for a $15 donation to the Incline Village. 4 LOEWS XTERRA WEST CUP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS LOEWS LAKE LAS VEGAS RESORT /// APRIL 30 - MAY 2, 2009 THURSDAY, APRIL 30 4:00-7:00pm Packet Pickup* at the Loews Lake Las Vegas, Casablanca FGH Ballroom 5:00 & 6:00pm Race Briefings**, Loews Lake Las Vegas, Casablanca FGH Ballroom FRIDAY, MAY 1 9am, 1pm, 3pm Practice Rides & Runs (pickup your packet/register and display race #s, prior to participation. See event website for more info). 10am-7pm Packet Pickup* at the Loews Lake Las Vegas, Casablanca FGH Ballroom 12, 4, 5, & 6pm Race Briefings**, Loews Lake Las Vegas, Casablanca FGH Ballroom 5:00pm XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell SATURDAY, MAY 2 4:30am Transition open for set-up 6:00am Swim open for warm-up, Loews Hotel Beach 6:30am XTERRA Sport Start, Loews Hotel Beach (500m swim, 15K MTB, 5K trail run) 8:00am Loews Lake Las Vegas XTERRA Cup Start, Loews Hotel Beach (1.5K swim, 30K MTB, 10K trail run) 8:30am Sport race bike course cut-off (all Sport riders still on the bike course will be removed) 8:15/8:30am XTERRA Sport winner expected 9am-1pm Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon, a benefit for the Challenged Athletes Foundation (at finish line/transition) 10:15am XTERRA Cup winner expected 2:00-6:00pm Post Race Party and Awards Ceremony, Loews Upper Nuala Pool – XTERRA West Cup and Sport awards, slide show, swimming, food, two bars, and door prizes. 8:00pm “Gimme Shelter” concert featuring Rolling Stones tribute band “Jumping Jack Flash” on the Lake in the Montelago Village. A benefit for “Heaven Can Wait Sanctuary. (athlete dis- counts available with race bib # at packet pickup, and at the show) * No race day packet pickup. Athlete proof of identity required. ** Attendance at one of the Race Briefings is mandatory. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT SUNSETRACING.COM OR XTERRAPLANET.COM 5 PAUL MITCHELL CUT-A-THON AND XTERRA UNIVERSITY Founded to help physically challenged athletes reach their athletic goals, the non-profit Challenged Athletes Foundation is the official charity of the Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon at each Cup stop on the XTERRA America Tour. Stylists will cut hair from 9am-1pm on Saturday, May 2 at the finish line area of the Loews XTERRA West Cup and all pro- ceeds will go to the CAF. XTERRA UNIVERSITY Presented by Paul Mitchell Learn the art of XTERRA from the best off-road multisport athletes on the planet - 3-time XTERRA World Champions Conrad Stoltz and Melanie McQuaid. XTERRA University is a must for first-timers and anyone looking to sharpen their skills in swimming, mountain biking, trail running, and nutrition.