2010 PRESS GUIDE
JULY 17 BEAVER CREEK RESORT / AVON, COLORADO XTERRA MOUNTAIN CHAMPIONSHIP 1-mile swim + 15.5-mile mountain bike +5.75-mile trail run
Shonny Vanlandingham
The World’s Greatest Off-Road Triathlon 2010 XTERRA MOUNTAIN CHAMPIONSHIP SPONSORS
The 2010 XTERRA Mountain Championship is presented by Paul Mitchell, and Degree Men Adventure. Sponsors include Beaver Creek Resort, Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa, East-West Resorts, Utah Sports Commission, Small Champions, Avon-Colorado, XTERRA.TV, GU Energy Gel, Gatorade, Zorrel, and the XTERRA Alliance - Wetsuits, Gear, Cycling, Fitness, and Footwear. 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 were, 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 15 countries this year, including 67 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
2010 marks the 15th consecutive year of XTERRA racing.
Nico Lebrun from France won last year’s Mountain Championship The XTERRA Mountain Championship is the last of five regionals in the America Tour, and offers up $10,500 in prize money for pros and 41 qualifying spots into the TABLE OF CONTENTS XTERRA World Championship for amateurs. Age group competitors will also earn points in pursuit of winning their XTERRA America Tour Introduction ...... 3 region and qualifying for the invite-only XTERRA USA Schedule of Events and Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon ...... 4-5 Championship held in Utah on Sept. 25. XTERRA Course Description and Maps ...... 6-7 XTERRA Pro Race Preview and Start List ...... 8-9 This guide will breakdown the who, what, when, where and XTERRA Pro Start List and last year’s results ...... 10-11 why of the XTERRA Mountain Championship - and XTERRA Pro Biographies (Men) ...... 12-16 introduce you to some of the professional athletes that will XTERRA Pro Biographies (Women) ...... 17-20 2010 XTERRA U.S. Pro Series Standings ...... 21 race in the world’s premier off-road triathlon at Beaver Results from first four races in Pro Series ...... 22-25 Creek Resort in Avon, Colorado on July 17. 2010 XTERRA U.S. Pro Series Overview ...... 26-27 Past XTERRA U.S. Pro Series Results ...... 28-29 2010 XTERRA America Tour Schedule ...... 30 How the XTERRA America Tour Works for amateurs . . . .31-33 XTERRA Gear News ...... 34 2009 XTERRA USA Amateur Championship Review ...... 35 2009 XTERRA Age Group Regional Champions ...... 36-37 Produced by 2010 XTERRA World Tour and World Champs Preview . .38-39 XTERRA Trail Running Series Overview and Schedule . .40-41 How XTERRA started & the world of XTERRA overview . .42-43 TEAM Unlimited, and XTERRA.TV ...... 44-45 Contact :Trey Garman 808.216.8606 // [email protected] 3 XTERRA MOUNTAIN CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
BEAVER CREEK RESORT - AVON, COLORADO
FRIDAY, JULY 16 4:00-8:00pm Registration and Packet Pickup* at Beaver Creek Registration Office (Adult Ski & Snowboard School, by Starbucks and down one level from Centennial lift.) Short-term parking should be available in Ford Hall during packet pick-up hours. 5:00-6:00pm XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell-with Josiah Middaugh & Shonny Vanlandingham at Beaver Creek Registration Office
SATURDAY, JULY 17 6:00-7:30am Late packet pick-up (No day of registration) at Beaver Creek Registration Office 6:00-8:30am Transition area set-up T1 and T2 (Set up T2 first, located at the base of Centennial lift in Beaver Creek. Drive from T2 set up and park at the Bear lot on Highway 6 at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain. Ride 1/2 mile to T1 at the east end of Nottingham Lake in Avon. Body marking and chip timing pickup at the start of the swim. 7:30am Sport T2 close 8:00am. XTERRA Sport Athlete Safety and Course briefing at swim entrance, Nottingham Lake 8:00am T2 closes for XTERRA Mountain Championship athletes. All athletes should make their way to the start of the course in Avon. 8:15am XTERRA Sport Start 8:30-9:30am Kids' Duathlon Registration at Beaver Creek Registration office 8:40am XTERRA Mountain Championship Safety and Course briefing at swim entrance, Nottingham Lake 9:00am XTERRA Mountain Championship Start - Wave order will be determined on site 9:45am XTERRA Sport course winner expected 10:00am Kids Duathlon (FREE) start at the base of Chair 6/ Centennial Lift 10:00am - 2:00pm Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon, to benefit the Challenged Athlete Foundation 11:15am XTERRA Mountain Championship winner expected 11:30am - 1:30pm BBQ Lunch and post-race party at Beaver Creek Village by the skating rink 1:00pm T2 Athlete cut-off. Runner must clear T2 by 1:00 p.m. to continue on course 1:00pm Awards Presentation
4 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 championship stop on the XTERRA America Tour.
Stylists will cut hair from 10:00am-2:00pm on Saturday, July 17 at the finish line area of the XTERRA Mountain Championship and all proceeds 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 - 5-time XTERRA National Champion and Vail resident Josiah Middaugh along with mountain bike turned XTERRA legend Shonny Vanlandingham. XTERRA University is a must for first-timers and anyone looking to sharpen their skills in swimming, mountain biking, trail running, and nutrition. Josiah and Shonny will even break down into course specifics and answer any and all questions. FREE. Saturday at 5pm at Beaver Creek Registration office.
5 XTERRA COURSE DESCRIPTION AND MAPS
The XTERRA Mountain Championship course at Beaver track descends the lower section of Cork Screw trail who's Creek Resort in Avon, Colorado is a stone's throw from name says it all. where XTERRA National Champ Josiah Middaugh lives with his wife and three kids. Here he gives us an insiders Run: Although most of the pre-race hype will be about the look at what competitors can expect come July 17. bike course, the run is where champions are made. The full XTERRA run course is essentially two challenging climbs Swim: Nottingham lake in Avon is just big enough to get a that each have over 500 vertical feet of climbing (1,300 total full mile swim with 2 laps. The water temperature should be for the course). The first climb is the toughest, but well- a comfortable wetsuit swim for amateurs and close to the shaded in the Aspen trees. Aid will be plentiful on the course cut-off of 68 for pros. Expect calm waters on race morning. with stations every mile. Both climbs are single track and Buck Creek flows into the reservoir so even though the lake the descents are on more gentle service roads. is small, the water temp rarely tops 70 degrees F. For a preview of the course, the town of Avon will host the first Dunk-n-Dash on Monday, July 12th at 6:00 pm
Bike: For the full XTERRA distance, the course gains 2,000 vertical feet in the first 5 miles (3,600 total for the full XTERRA course). All sections are rideable by most competitors, but prepare for a long climb with little relief. The Elkhorn trail and Daybreak Ridge trail are mostly double track, so there is plenty of room for passing for the slower swimmers. The course peaks out at above 9,400 feet above the Arrowhead and Bachelor Gulch ski slopes. After the Arrowhead Yurt the course turns a sharp left into a well-maintained single track that switches through the aspen trees The next section is a long traverse on the Village to Village trail, a combination of a wide wood-chip trail and single track. Don't let it deceive you as this trail gradually gains in elevation as it traverses Arrowhead, Bachelor's Gulch, and Beaver Creek. Allie's Way is a moderately technical, fast-rolling single track that continues to traverse Beaver Creek, but now on a slight decline. The final section of single
6 XTERRA COURSE DESCRIPTION AND MAPS
7 XTERRA MOUNTAIN CHAMPIONSHIP PRO RACE PREVIEW
The XTERRA Mountain Championship is the last of five regionals in the XTERRA U.S. Pro Series and the first major Nico to be held high up in the mountains.
The last four races were at relatively low-altitude courses in Nevada, Texas, Alabama, and Virginia; and while every destination has its own set of unique challenges – the Mountain Champs is all about big climbing in the thin air of the Rockies.
It’s exactly that feature that has attracted the sports best climbers and mountain dwellers to Beaver Creek Resort in Avon, Colorado. Of the 15 confirmed pros on the start list, nine are from Centennial State with others coming from the French Alps and mountain towns in Utah, New Mexico, Vermont and South Africa.
Frenchman Nico Lebrun, the 2005 XTERRA World Champion, will return to Beaver Creek to defend his title just a week after racing at the XTERRA France Championship on July 11. In last year’s race Lebrun was more than three minutes back coming out of the swim but posted the fastest bike split of the day, went out on the run in first place, and crossed the line more than a minute ahead of runner-up Mike Vine.
The real story, however, was what happened to Josiah Middaugh - the Vail resident who lives just a mile from the course and like Lebrun, excels at long, sustained, lung- burning climbs. The five-time XTERRA National Champ was in the lead on the bike last year when he hit a wooden sign Outside of what promises to be an all-star battle between post that exploded his pinkie finger (needed nine stitches Lebrun and Middaugh, there are two other riders that are post-race), sent him flying over the handlebars, and taco’d certain to be factors come raceday – Dan Hugo and Cody his front wheel. Amazingly he put it all together to finish in Waite. Lakewood, CO resident Waite has had a break-out third, but you can rest assured it’ll be a different story this season on the XTERRA America Tour and comes in ranked year. fourth in the Series and in his element here in the Mountains. Last year he tussled with the leaders and Middaugh had surgery during the off-season to fix some actually crossed the finish line in second, but a missed turn lingering problems with his IT band that had hampered his on the run resulted in a time penalty that dropped him to run. As a result he posted the fastest run split at each of the fourth. first three races this year, only to finish second to Conrad Stoltz who has been nothing short of remarkable in winning The South African young-gun Hugo, meanwhile, impressed the first four events of the season. Stoltz will not race this everyone in his U.S. debut in Richmond, Virginia on June one as he already has a perfect 400-score leading up to 20, placing second overall and proving he has the speed to Nationals on Sept. 25 and will dedicate himself to training in race with the leaders. He just moved in to new training preparation for the USA and World Championships (Oct. 24 grounds in Boulder, Colorado but it is yet to be seen if he in Maui), which opens the door for Middaugh, Lebrun, and can keep up with the established climbers assembled for others. this race. 8 XTERRA MOUNTAIN CHAMPIONSHIP PRO RACE PREVIEW
In the women’s race the clear-cut favorite is Shonny Vanlandingham, a two-time XTERRA National Champion Emma and the most successful rider in NORBA mountain biking history. “Shonny V” has won this race each of the last two years, and has been on fire in 2010, taking home titles at the XTERRA West and Southeast Championship races and placing 2nd at the other two. Last year her bike split here was five minutes faster than any other female and she finished six-minutes ahead of runner-up Danelle Kabush.
Among those shooting for Shonny is Emma Garrard from Park City, Utah. No stranger to altitude and having her best year as a Pro, Emma posted the fastest run split in Texas and is currently ranked fourth in the Pro Series.
Last year at this race Sara Tarkington from Boulder had the best race of her XTERRA career and finished in third. Three other notables - Jenny Smith, Brandyn Roark Gray, and Erin Kummer - are making their first appearance on the America Tour this season. Smith, a Kiwi living in Gunnison, CO, is a seven-year XTERRA vet and won the inaugural XTERRA Amazon off-road tri in Brazil last month. Gray and Kummer are both former amateur stand-outs in their second seasons racing professionally, and both are coming off injuries so it’ll be interesting to see how they perform.
With nearly 5,000 feet of climbing (3,600 on the bike and 1,300 on the run) in a race that combines a mile swim with a 16-mile bike and 6-mile trail run, the real competition is Mother Nature. For all the pros and age group athletes from around the country a grueling challenge awaits and who wins may be a matter of who can suffer the best. We’ll find out July 17. Photo by James Wright Jr.
9 XTERRA MOUNTAIN CHAMPIONSHIP PRO START LIST
The professionals competing in the Mountain Rank - Name - Age, Hometown Championship are among the best mountain bikers, 2 - Josiah Middaugh - 31, Vail, Colorado triathletes, and adventure racers on the planet. 4 - Cody Waite - 31, Lakewood, Colorado 7 - Will Kelsay - 28, Boulder, Colorado Rank = Current rank in 2010 XTERRA U.S. Pro Series (after 4) 8 - Branden Rakita - 29, Manitou Springs, Colorado NR = Not ranked in 2010 XTERRA U.S. Pro Series 10 - Damian Gonzalez - 33, Stockton, California 11 - Nico Lebrun - 36, Digne-les-Bains, France Josiah 12 - Matt Boobar - 37, Stratton Mountain, Vermont 15 - Dan Hugo - 25, Stellenbosch, South Africa 17 - Brad Zoller - 32, Avon, Colorado
Rank - Name - Age, Hometown 1 - Shonny Vanlandingham - 40, Durango, Colorado 4 - Emma Garrard - 28, Park City, Utah 13 - Sara Tarkington - 29, Boulder, Colorado NR - Jenny Smith - 37, Gunnison, Colorado (New Zealand) NR - Brandyn Roark Gray - 31, Aztec, New Mexico NR - Erin Kummer - 25, Boulder, Colorado
Shonny
START LIST BY COUNTRY/ALPHA Pro Men USA - Matt Boobar, Damian Gonzalez, Will Kelsay, Josiah Middaugh, Branden Rakita, Cody Waite, Brad Zoller FRANCE - Nico Lebrun SOUTH AFRICA - Dan Hugo ------Pro Women USA - Emma Garrard, Brandyn Roark Gray, Erin Kummer, Sara Tarkington, Shonny Vanlandingham NEW ZEALAND - Jenny Smith
10 LAST YEAR AT THE MOUNTAIN CHAMPIONSHIP
Beaver Creek Resort - Avon, CO (July 18, 2009)
TOP PRO MEN Pl Name Age Hometown Time Pts Purse 1 Nico Lebrun 35 Digne-les-Bains, France 2:15:06 100 $1,800 2 Mike Vine 35 Victoria, B.C., Canada 2:16:29 90 $1,250 3 Josiah Middaugh 30 Vail, Colorado 2:17:42 82 $800 4 Cody Waite 30 Lakewood, Colorado 2:18:09 75 $500 5 Branden Rakita 28 Manitou Springs, Colorado 2:19:14 69 $400 6 Brian Smith 33 Gunnison, Colorado 2:20:23 63 $300 7 Tyler Butterfield 23 Pembroke Parish, Bermuda 2:21:33 58 $200 8 Ryan Ignatz 30 Boulder, Colorado 2:21:45 53 9 Sam Gardner 34 Surrey, Great Britain 2:24:05 49 10 Will Kelsay 27 Boulder, Colorado 2:29:17 45 Also: Brad Zoller (41) DNF: Seth Wealing, Joe McDaniel, Christopher Bagg
TOP PRO WOMEN Pl Name Age Hometown Time Pts Purse 1 Shonny Vanlandingham 39 Durango, Colorado 2:30:14 100 $1,800 2 Danelle Kabush 34 Canmore, Alberta, Canada 2:36:16 90 $1,250 3 Sara Tarkington 28 Boulder, Colorado 2:36:32 82 $800 4 Susan Williams 40 Littleton, Colorado 2:36:58 75 $500 5 Rebecca Dussault 28 Crested Butte, Colorado 2:40:00 69 $400 6 Renata Bucher 31 Lucerne, Switzerland 2:41:17 63 $300 7 Jenny Smith 36 Westport, New Zealand 2:41:30 58 $200 8 Emma Garrard 27 Truckee, California 2:47:14 53 9 Sari Anderson 30 Carbondale, Colorado 2:51:21 49 10 Tracy Thelen 29 Colorado Springs, Colorado 2:53:41 45 Also: Alexandra Borrelly (41), Brandyn Roark Gray (37), Flora Duffy (34)
XTERRA MOUNTAIN CHAMPIONS (FEMALE AGE GROUP) XTERRA MOUNTAIN CHAMPIONS (MALE AGE GROUP) Division Name Time Hometown Division Name Time Hometown 15 - 19 Morgan Endicott 3:57:24 Alamo, CA 15 - 19 Christopher Athey 3:40:20 Centennial, CO 20 - 24 Danielle Kehoe 2:55:43 Arvada, CO 20 - 24 Julian Langer 2:36:44 Vienna, Austria 25 - 29 Luisa Bryce 3:00:44 Denver, CO 25 - 29 Luke Jay 2:29:44 Littleton, CO 30 - 34 Jaime Brede 3:03:32 Breckenridge, CO 30 - 34 Jason Michalak 2:28:56 Lakewood, CO 35 - 39 Cary Kinross-Wright 2:58:41 Golden, CO 35 - 39 Fred Hankinson 2:40:09 Colorado Springs, CO 40 - 44 Shannon Straub 3:25:43 Evergreen, CO 40 - 44 Stephen White 2:34:45 Vail, CO 45 - 49 Caroline Colonna 3:03:31 Taos, NM 45 - 49 Kevin Shelden 2:39:51 Breckenridge, CO 50 - 54 Barbara Peterson 3:25:04 Berkeley, CA 50 - 54 Tom Monica 2:44:11 Thousand Oaks, CA 55 - 59 Cindi Toepel 3:36:38 Littleton, CO 55 - 59 Dawes Wilson 2:52:47 Vail, CO 60 - 64 David Rakita 3:11:09 Durango, CO CA Michael Stone 3:45:48 Boulder, CO
11 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
JOSIAH MIDDAUGH Vail, Colorado Josiah 2009 XTERRA South Central Champ 5-time XTERRA National Champ
2010 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 2 PERSONAL: Born July 25, 1978 from East Jordan, Michigan...earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health fitness from Central Michigan Univ. where he ran x-country and track...works as an endurance coach and trainer. WEBSITE: josiahmiddaugh.com SPONSORS: Felt, First Endurance, AVIA, Titec, Carmichael Training Systems XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 10th year. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Has been the top American in the XTERRA U.S. Pro Series five of the last six years. 4x USSSA Snowshoe National Champ (2002, ‘03, ‘08), 6-time North American Snowshoe Champ, 2006 USAT Winter Triathlon National Champ, and 2005 USAT Long Course National Champ. Before turning pro he was the ‘02 XTERRA Amateur USA & World Champ in 20-24 division. 2004: 7th in Richmond, won Keystone, 3rd in Big Bear and Lake Tahoe, won XTERRA Canada. Top American finisher in Tahoe where he posted the fastest bike and run. Placed 2nd in Pro Series and top American (3rd overall) at Worlds. 2005: 7th in Temecula, 10th in Richmond, 6th in Milwaukee, 3rd in Keystone, 9th in Tahoe, 6th in Pro Series (top American). Was also the top American at the World Championship (10th overall) for 2nd straight year. 2006: Finished 3rd at Temecula then broke his knee-cap in a training ride before the second race of the year in Alabama. Came back in time for Tahoe where he finished 7th, followed that with a 4th at XTERRA Worlds. 2007: Finished 4th at West Champs, 3rd in Alabama, 4th in Richmond, 2nd in Utah, 4th at the USA Championship and 3rd in the Pro Series (top American). Was 17th at Worlds. 2008: Placed 2nd at XTERRA Winter Worlds (by 1 second). Placed 4th at West Champs, won East Champs, was 5th at Mountain Champs, 3rd at XTERRA USA. Top American in Pro Series for 4th time. 7th at Worlds (3x top American). LAST YEAR: Placed 4th at XTERRA Winter Worlds in Utah, 2nd at XTERRA West Cup, 3rd at Midwest Cup, 2nd at Southeast Cup, won Teva Mtn Games in his hometown, was 2nd at Atlantic Cup, won South Central Cup, was 3rd THIS YEAR: Placed 2nd at the XTERRA West at Mtn Cup and 3rd at the XTERRA USA Championship. Championship, South Central Championship, and Southeast Placed 9th at XTERRA Worlds (2nd fastest bike split), and Championship and posted the fastest run split at all three. was the 2nd American. Placed third at the XTERRA East Championship. 12 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
CODY WAITE Lakewood, Colorado Cody
2010 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 4 PERSONAL: Born September 25, 1978...originally from Cave Creek, AZ...is a triathlon coach with EPC Multisport. WEBSITE: epcmultisport.com/blog SPONSORS: EPCMultisport.com, Wheat Ridge Cyclery, Seven Cycles, Pearl Izumi, Blue Seventy, Patagonia, Schwalbe, Scrub, Fluid, Prolong, Ideal Health, Kalosidesign.com, Rudy Project, and Magura. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Sixth year...won the 25-29 XTERRA National Championship in 2006. Best pro finish was 4th at XTERRA Mountain Champs in 2009. 2007: 15th in Temecula, 9th in Alabama, 12th in Richmond, 5th in Utah, 15th at the USA Champs and 7th in Pro Series. 2008: 12th in Temecula, 13th in ‘Bama, 17th in Richmond, WILL KELSAY 7th in Utah, 13th at XTERRA USA, and 34th pro at Boulder, Colorado XTERRA Worlds in Maui. LAST YEAR: 13th at XTERRA West Cup, 11th at Midwest, 7th at Southeast Cup, 9th at the Northwest Cup, 4th at the 2010 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 7 Mountain Cup, 7th at XTERRA USA Championship, and PERSONAL: Born August 5, 1981...attended the University 27th at XTERRA Worlds. of Colorado where he raced on the national championship THIS YEAR: Placed 6th at XTERRA West Champs and the tri team and earned a degree in mechanical engineering. South Central Championships, was 5th at the Southeast WEBSITE: willkelsay.com Champs and 9th at the East Championship. SPONSORS: Timex, Rudy Project, Powerbar, Colorado Multisport, WebRhetoric.com, Orbea, Sugoi, ARX, Aquasphere, Nathan. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Eighth year. Named Mr. XTERRA after going on a 12,630-mile, 12-week, 12-race, x-country road trip in a beat-up RV to share his love for XTERRA. 2006: Finished 11th in California, 11th in Alabama, DNF in Richmond, was a career-best 9th in Milwaukee, 10th in Utah, 17th at USA Championship and 114th in Maui. 2007: 14th at XTERRA West Champs, 10th in Alabama, 14th in Richmond, 8th at Mountain Champs in Utah, his best career finish. Was 13th at USA Champs & 64th in Maui. 2008: Finished 18th in Temecula, 19th in ‘Bama, 14th in Richmond, 12th in Utah, and 12th at the XTERRA USA Championship. Placed 16th overall in the Pro Series. LAST YEAR: Finished 14th at XTERRA West and Midwest, 9th at Southeast, 11th at Northwest Cup, 9th at Atlantic and South Central, 8th at the Northeast Cup, 10th at the Mountain Cup, 10th at the USA Championship race, and 25th at the XTERRA World Champs. THIS YEAR: Placed 17th at the XTERRA West Champs, 8th at the South Central Champs, 6th at the Southeast Will Champs, and 7th at the East Champs. 13 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
BRANDEN RAKITA Manitou Springs, Colorado Branden
2010 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 8 PERSONAL: Born March 25, 1981...from Durango, CO...earned degree in civil engineering at Colorado State University...sales associate/bike fitter at Pro Cycling when not racing. WEBSITE: brandenrakita.com SPONSORS: Pro Cycling, 2XU, The Colorado Running Company, 2 Toms, Effetto Mariposa, Sidi. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Third year. 2008: Finished 14th at the XTERRA West Champs, 12th at the Southeast Champs, 16th at the East Champs, 6th at Mountain Champs, a career-best 5th at the XTERRA USA Championship and 18th at XTERRA Worlds. LAST YEAR: Finished 10th at XTERRA West Cup, 8th at the Midwest Cup, 8th at the Southeast Cup, 4th at the Northwest Cup, 7th at the Northeast Cup, 5th at the Mountain Cup, 6th at the USA Championship, and 20th at XTERRA Worlds. THIS YEAR: Placed 10th at XTERRA West Champs, 7th at the South Central Championship, 5th at XTERRA Amazon (Brazil) and 6th at the East Championship. DAMIAN GONZALEZ Stockton, California
2010 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 10 Damian PERSONAL: Born December 20, 1976...runs a graphic, video and web services company. WEBSITE: xpmultimedia.com SPONSORS: Orbea, Crank Brothers, Ritchey, Accelerade, Go Pro, Rudy Project, ZYM, Williams Cycling, Wenzel Coaching, Devinci’s Delicatessen, Righetti Enterprises, Birkenstock & More, Stockton Orthopedic, Alpine Orthopedic, Meyers Optical, Flashbacks Photography, XP Multimedia. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 10th year. Won the 30-34 XTERRA National Chamionship in 2007. 2008: Placed 21st at the West and Southeast races, 18th at East Champs and Nationals, and was 32nd among men’s pros at XTERRA Worlds in Maui. LAST YEAR: Finished 16th at the West Cup, 13th at the XTERRA USA Championship, and 38th at XTERRA Worlds. THIS YEAR: Finished 14th among pros at the West Champs, 12th at the South Central Champs, 9th at the Southeast Champs and 12th at the East Champs. 14 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
NICOLAS “Nico” LEBRUN Digne-les-Bains, France Nico 2009 XTERRA USA Champ 2005 XTERRA World Champion
FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 11 PERSONAL: Born September 4, 1973. WEBSITE: nico-lebrun.com SPONSORS: Avia, Cannondale, CG04, Claranor, Edge, Profile/titec, geax, met, Suunto, scientec, selle Italia, Skinfit XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 10th year. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Finished in the top four of the first four XTERRA U.S. Pro Series from 2001-2004. 13 times on the podium in world championships in three different sports - XTERRA, Duathlon, XTERRA Winter and Winter Triathlon (world champ in '99 & '00). The crowning moment in his career, the ultimate victory, was in Maui in 2005. He received a congratulatory letter from French President Jacques Chirac and was recognized as the off- road triathlete of the year at Competitor's Endurance Sports Awards that year after winning XTERRA Worlds. 2003: Third at Big Bear, won Richmond, won Czech Republic, placed 4th in Keystone, won XTERRA Germany, and was 3rd in Tahoe. Finished 3rd in XTERRA European Tour standings, and 3rd in XTERRA USA Pro Points Series. 2004: Won XTERRA European Championship in the Czech Republic, finished second in Austria, third in Germany, 7th in Holland, was 2nd overall in the European Tour behind Marceau. In the U.S. he was 3rd at Richmond, 2nd in Keystone, 11th in Big Bear, and fourth at Tahoe. Placed 4th in U.S. Pro Series. 2005: 2nd at XTERRA Czech, 3rd at Italy, won Austria, 3rd in Spain, won XTERRA Germany, 2nd in European Tour. Won XTERRA World Championship more than three min- utes ahead of Llanos. Had the fastest bike split (1:29:13). 2006: Finished 2nd at XTERRA France, won XTERRA LAST YEAR: Finished 2nd at XTERRA Winter Worlds, DNF Italy, Czech, and Denmark. Placed 3rd at XTERRA at XTERRA West Cup, 5th at Midwest Cup, 5th at Southeast Germany and won the XTERRA European Tour. Also Cup, 2nd at Northwest Cup, 3rd at Atlantic Cup, 2nd at South finished 3rd at the XTERRA East Championship in Central Cup, 2nd at XTERRA Mexico, then won Northeast Richmond, and was 8th at World Championship Cup, Mountain Cup and USA Champs. Finished in 2nd 2007: Finished 3rd at XTERRA Italy and Denmark, and place, just 55-seconds behind Eneko Llanos, at the XTERRA won XTERRA Austria and UK to win Euro Tour for second World Championship. It was his fourth time in the top three straight season. Placed 7th at XTERRA Worlds. in Maui (2002, ‘03, ‘05, ‘09). 2008: Finished 2nd at XTERRA European Championship THIS YEAR: Placed 3rd at XTERRA Portugal, 5th at the in Italy, then won XTERRA UK, Czech, France-Auron and XTERRA West Championship, 3rd at the South Central France-Mondelieu. Won 3rd straight XTERRA European Champs, and 4th at the XTERRA European Championship in Tour Title. DNFd at XTERRA Worlds. Italy. 15 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
MATT BOOBAR Stratton Mountain, Vermont Matt 2010 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 12 PERSONAL: Born September 4, 1972...originally from Rockport, Maine...earned a degree in exercise science from Plymouth State University. SPONSORS: Trek, SRAM, Powerbar, Michelin, Stratton Mountain Resort, Bontrager. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Ninth year, 2nd as a pro... XTERRA’s overall amateur national champion in 2006 and 2007. Has won four XTERRA National Titles in three divisions (35-39 in 2007; 30-34 in 2003 and 2006; and 25-29 in 2001), and is a 6-time Northeast Region Champ. DAN HUGO 2008: Finished 22nd overall (5th amateur) at USA Champs Stellenbosch, South Africa and was 66th overall (7th in 35-39) at Worlds. ‘08 & ‘10 XTERRA South Africa Champ LAST YEAR: Placed 13th at the XTERRA Midwest Cup, 10th at the Southeast Cup, 13th at Northwest Cup, 11th at 2010 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 15 Atlantic Cup, 8th at South Central Cup, 9th at the Northeast PERSONAL: Born July 1, 1985 in Worcester...moved to Cup, and 15th at XTERRA USA Championship. Stellenbosch, Conrad Stoltz’ hometown, when he was in the THIS YEAR: Placed 11th at the South Central Champs and 10th grade. Lives in Truckee, CA during the season. the Southeast Champs, and was 13th at the East Champs. WEBSITE: dghugo.com BRAD ZOLLER SPONSORS: Specialized, Jeep Apparel, Puma, Tropitone, Avon, Colorado Garmin, and EA Sports. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Fifth year. Placed 4th at the 2006 XTERRA Brazil Championship in his first XTERRA. FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 17 2007: Finished 2nd at XTERRA South Africa and 6th at the PERSONAL: Born August 10, 1977...from Cincinnati, Ohio XTERRA West Championship. Was in third place during now living and working as a substitute teacher in the bike portion of the Southeast Champs in Alabama when Colorado...was on the rowing (crew) team at Purdue he crashed and broke his hand. The injury kept him out for University where he earned degree in aviation technology. the rest of the season. SPONSORS: Rudy Project, Jointworx, Speedplay, Dirt 2008: Won the XTERRA South Africa Championship, was Republic, Serfas, and Avon Venture Sports. 2nd at XTERRA West Champs, Southeast Championship WEBSITE: bradzoller.com (by just 16 seconds to Stoltz) and East Championship (by RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Youngest male qualifier to 24 seconds to Middaugh). Placed 9th at XTERRA UK, DNF the 1998 Ironman World Champs. at XTERRA Czech, was 12th at XTERRA France-Auron, XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 2nd year, finished 11th at the 4th at USA Championship, missed winning the Pro Series XTERRA Mountain Championship last year. by 8 points (to Stoltz) and placed 8th at XTERRA Worlds. THIS YEAR: Finished 13th at the XTERRA West Champs, LAST YEAR: Placed 3rd at the XTERRA West Cup, 4th at and 11th at the XTERRA East Champs. the Midwest Cup, 4th at the Southeast Cup, won the Northwest Cup, was 5th at the Atlantic Cup, 3rd at the South Central Cup, and 5th at the Northeast Cup. Finished 5th in the XTERRA U.S. Pro Series. THIS YEAR: Won the XTERRA South Africa Championship for the second time in three years, and the XTERRA Estrade Real off-road tri in Brazil. Placed 2nd at the XTERRA East Champs. 16 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
SHONNY VANLANDINGHAM Durango, Colorado Shonny 2010 XTERRA West/S’East Champ 2008/2009 XTERRA National Champion
2010 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 1 PERSONAL: Born May 29, 1969...earned her degree in nutrition and played NCAA I basketball at East Texas State University races for the Luna Chix Pro MTB Team roasts her own coffee at her second home on the Big Island of Hawaii