AND THE SPORTS FEST MARCH 31 - APRIL 9 2006 PRESS GUIDE ssppoonnssoorrss

The 2006 XTERRA Saipan Championship is presented by the Marianas Visitors Authority, and sponsored by the Pacific Islands Club, Paul Mitchell, XTERRA Gear, and Coca~Cola Beverage Co. (Micronesia), Inc. iinnttoo tthhee jjuunnggllee

. . . AT THE 5th ANNUAL XTERRA SAIPAN CHAMPIONSHIP

XTERRA is the world’s premier off-road multisport event. An extreme competition, the XTERRA format combines with and trail . It has been described as one part , one part mountain bike race, and one part “survival of the fittest”.

With its white sand beaches, warm water, jungle trails, and secret caves it’s easy to see how the XTERRA Saipan Championship became the “crown jewel” of the XTERRA Global Tour. In 2006 there will be more than 100 XTERRA races in 17 countries…but none quite like this one!

The race starts with a 1.5-kilometer swim in the crystal clear waters fronting Micro Beach, follows with a 30k mountain bike ride that traverses island terrain to the top of Mount Tapotchau (the highest point on the island at 1,545 feet elevation) and finishes with a 12k trail run that takes competitors past World War II relics and through secret jungles and caves.

The event is a qualifier for the 2006 Nissan Xterra World Championship held in Maui on October 29 - with 34 slots available to the top finishers in each age group (see page 12 for details). The race will also award points to amateur athletes in this year’s Nissan Xterra USA Championship Series.

The US $15,000 professional purse at the XTERRA Saipan Championship has attracted some of the best multisport athletes on the planet to Saipan and pros confirmed for the event include three-time XTERRA Saipan, and four-time XTERRA USA champion Jamie Whitmore, and Swiss triathlon great - two-time Saipan winner Olivier Marceau, among others (pages 13 and 14).

Back by popular demand is the Saipan Sports Fest and PIC Double competition. The Sports Fest runs from March 31 through April 9 and includes a variety of clinics focusing on triathlon preparation, performing your best, goal setting, and motivation. There’s also an evening Hash Run, tank-to-tank swims, XTERRA Scrambles, TagaKids Triathlon, a fishing cruise, bbq’s, and a 7k/10k Walk. For the hardcore triathletes the Pacific Islands Club (PIC) Double awards $500, and 6-days/5-nights at the PIC to both the man and woman with the fastest combined XTERRA and Tagaman Triathlon times. TABLE OF CONTENTS Press Information ...... 4 Pacific Islands Club Double ...... 17 Quick Facts ...... 5 2005 XTERRA Saipan Race Review ...... 18-19 XTERRA Saipan Television Show ...... 6 2002-2004 Saipan Results ...... 20-23 Schedule of Events ...... 7 2006 USA Series Schedule ...... 24 XTERRA Scrambles and Kid’s Bike Race ...... 8 How the USA Series Works ...... 25 XTERRA University/Pacific Islands Club ...... 9 2005 XTERRA Global Tour ...... 26 XTERRA Saipan Course Description ...... 10-12 XTERRA World Championship ...... 27 The Professionals ...... 13-15 About the Northern ...... 28-30 About Jamie Whitmore and Olivier Marceau . . . .16 How XTERRA started & TEAM Unlimited . . . .31-32 3 mmeeddiiaa iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn

The XTERRA Saipan Championship Press Guide was designed to provide the media with useful information about the 2006 race, the Sports Fest, and XTERRA in general. Below are additional items of interest to media:

For credentials, please contact marketing director Trey Garman ([email protected]) or XTERRA Japanese representative Yoko Wakabayashi ([email protected])

TEAM Unlimited will record full race results and distribute after the event via e-mail. Please provide your email address and results and pictures (if requested) can be sent directly to you.

During the championship race TEAM Unlimited will escort interested press members to key strategic locations throughout the course to track leaders and course happenings, and to get the best possible photos. You must reserve your seat in the press van in advance.

Press with credentials are invited to both the XTERRA Welcome Reception on March 31 and the XTERRA Awards Dinner on April 1. Both events are at the Pacific Islands Club, and media must show their credentials for complimentary admittance.

TEAM Unlimited will not operate a pressroom in Saipan, however, we will accomodate any specific requests within reason.

Race coverage can also be found at xterraplanet.com.

Professional, high-resolution, full-color images from the race will be available to the media after the race.

DIRECT MEDIA INQUIRIES AND REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO:

Trey Garman, Marketing and Media Relations Director From March 29 through April 8, reach Trey at the Pacific Islands Club at 670-234-7976

In Honolulu 808-792-2603 (office) - 808-216-8606 (cell) - 808-538-0314 (fax) [email protected] www.xterraplanet.com

TEAM Unlimited 500 Ala Moana Boulevard 2-Waterfront Plaza Suite 302 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

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EVENTS: In addition to the XTERRA Saipan Championship, there will also be a half-distance XTERRA Sport race, a pre-race training camp, 5k and 10k scrambles, a kid’s bike race, and a pair of socials. As the Saipan Sports Fest unfolds additional triathlon clinics and events will be held thru April 9 (see schedule on page 7).

TELEVISION: XTERRA Saipan and Sports Fest events will be filmed by TEAM Unlimited’s award-winning television crew and all the action will be put together for a half-hour feature to be broadcast in Saipan, Guam, on Gaora in Japan, and across the through national syndication.

LOCATION: The Pacific Islands Club will serve as the official hotel for the XTERRA Saipan Championship, Tagaman Triathlon, and the Saipan Sports Fest. Check schedule for specific venues.

AT STAKE: Professionals vie for $15,000 in cash and amateurs race for age group recognition and a slot into the Nissan Xterra World Championsip in Maui. Plus, the man and woman with the fastest combined XTERRA and Tagaman time receives $500 in cash, and 6-days/5-nights at the Pacific Islands Club.

THE COURSE: From the crystal clear waters of the Pacific, to the lush tropical jungles and surprising World War II relics - Saipan’s obstacles are unlike anywhere else on earth.

DISTANCES: XTERRA Saipan Championship: 1.5k swim, 30k mountain bike, 12k trail run. XTERRA Sport: 750-meter swim, 15-kilometer mountain bike, 5k trail run. Tagaman: 2k swim, 60k bike, 15k run.

ENTRY FEES: XTERRA Saipan Championship: Individual: US $125. Team: US $250. Plus $9 one-day USA Triathlon License (if not a member). Includes event swim cap, t-shirt, and admission to XTERRA Welcome Reception and Awards Dinner. XTERRA Sport: Individual: US $75. Team: US $150. Plus $9 one-day USA Triathlon License (if not a member). Includes event swim cap, t-shirt, and admission to XTERRA Welcome Reception and Awards Dinner. XTERRA University Camp and Race Package: US $175. Includes two days of professional instruction, lunches, official t-shirt and cap, grad certificate, XTERRA Welcome Reception and Awards Dinner, and entry to either the XTERRA Championship or XTERRA Sport race. Does not include accommodation. XTERRA/Tagaman Discount: Athletes showing proof of registration in Tagaman will receive 10% off their XTERRA registration, and athletes showing proof of participation in XTERRA will receive 10% off Tagaman registration.

DIVISIONS: Individuals: 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-45, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60+ (W), 60-64 (M), 65+ (M) Pro, Military, & Challenged Athlete. Teams: Men, Women, Co-ed, Military, and Challenged Athlete.

AWARDS: Top three in each division. Registration for all XTERRA events is available at www.xterraplanet.com or by calling 808-521-4322, toll-free 877-751-8880. In Japan, athletes can call 03 (3808) 1151 or visit http://www.xterrajapan.net/2006/saipan.html 5 ssaaiippaann oonn TTVV

XTERRA SAIPAN CHAMPIONSHIP TELEVISION SHOW PORTRAYS THE CNMI AS A PREMIER ADVENTURE DESTINATION

Athletes in action juxtaposed with images of white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise water, pristine tropical jungles, and breath- taking vistas have delighted viewers of the XTERRA Saipan TV show - so much so that the program has twice received *Telly Awards for production excellence (2003 and 2005).

"Saipan is a spectacular adventure destination, and we are proud to promote that fact to potential visitors from around the world,” said TEAM Unlimited President Janet Clark.

This year’s race along with coverage of the Saipan Sports Fest and Tagaman Triathlon will once again be filmed for a half-hour feature show to be broadcast in Saipan, Guam, on Gaora in Japan, and across the United States through national syndication starting in June of 2005.

Held annually in the , XTERRA Saipan is widely regarded as the "Crown Jewel" of the XTERRA Global Tour. The race and TV show are presented by the Marianas Visitors Authority, and produced by TEAM Unlimited. The success of both the race and TV show is attributed to Saipan's spectacular natural environment with the majestic jungles and crystal clear water providing a first-class setting for the world’s leading off-road multisport event and series.

The broadcast tracks competitors locked in a battle with Mother Nature as they navigated a 1.5 kilometer swim in the Pacific Ocean starting at Micro Beach, a 30k mountain bike up to the crest of Mt. Tapotchau, and a 12k jungle and beach trail run. The show follows athletes from start to finish - providing brilliant images from all over the island.

*Founded in 1978, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions. The Telly Awards receives entries from five continents and is a widely known and highly respected national and international competition. The XTERRA Saipan Championship television show was recognized in the Sports TV/Cable program category. Chalker climbs up Mt. Tapotchau

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WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, MARCH 29-30 12pm-4pm XTERRA Saipan Registration and Packet Pick-up @ Pacific Islands Club lobby 9am-5pm XTERRA University Camp Day 1 and 2, based out of the Pacific Islands Club FRIDAY, MARCH 31 11:45 a.m. Tank-to-Tank Swim (Pick-up at PIC Lobby) 1pm-5pm Registration and Packet Pick-up @ Micro Beach 5pm XTERRA 5k/10k Sunset Scramble Starts @ Micro Beach - a benefit for the NMI Football Assoc. 6pm XTERRA 5k/10k Sunset Scramble Awards Ceremony @ Micro Beach 7pm XTERRA Saipan Welcome Reception at the Pacific Islands Club SATURDAY, APRIL 1 6:30-7:30am Registration and Packet Pick-up @ Micro Beach 8am XTERRA Saipan Championship Start @ Micro Beach (1.5k swim, 30k mtb, 12k run) 8:05am XTERRA Sport Start @ Micro Beach (750m swim, 20k mtb, 5k run) 9am XTERRA Kid’s Bike Race @ Micro Beach (awards to all finishers) 10:30am XTERRA Pro Male Winner Expected 10:50am XTERRA Pro Female Winner Expected 12:30pm XTERRA Saipan Championship and XTERRA Sport On-site Awards Ceremony 7pm Awards Dinner at the Pacific Islands Club 9pm-till... Post-dinner party - music by XTERRA’s favorite band - MOJO SUNDAY, APRIL 2 8:30am Tour De Saipan (Pick-up at PIC Lobby) 2pm All American BBQ with Softball, volleyball and horseshoes (at American Memorial Park) MONDAY, APRIL 3 11:45am Tank-to-Tank Swim (Pick-up at PIC Lobby) 2pm Forbidden Island Tour (Pick-up at PIC Lobby) 7pm Triathlon Clinic - Bike Preparations for Race Day (PIC Napu Room) TUESDAY, APRIL 4 10am PIC Wall Climbing Contest (at PIC Climbing Wall) 11am PIC Putter Golf Tournament (at PIC Tennis Center) 3pm Paintball War Games (Pick-up at PIC Lobby) Extra charge minimum $20 plus paintballs WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 11:45am Tank-to-Tank Swim (Pick-up at PIC Lobby) 6:30pm Evening Hash Run (meet at PIC Lobby) THURSDAY, APRIL 6 5pm Go Kart Races (Marianas Race Way) TBA Triathlon Clinic - Goal setting and motivation FRIDAY, APRIL 7 11:45am Tank-to-Tank Swim (Pick-up at PIC Lobby) TBA Tagaman Pre-race dinner at the PIC SATURDAY, APRIL 8 5:30am Tagaman Triathlon @ Pacific Islands Club TBA Post-race Awards Dinner and Costume Party SUNDAY, APRIL 9 6:30am SOPHIA 7k/10k Walk @ Chamoro Village near Basketball Court 7am TagaKids Triathlon @ Pacific Islands Club 1pm Post Race Beachside BBQ (Obyan Beach) Schedule subject to change. TENTATIVE...as of 2/10/06. 7 rruunn && bbiikkee 44 kkiiddss

XTERRA SAIPAN IS NOT JUST FOR MULTISPORT ATHLETES!

Runners can race in the XTERRA Sunset Scramble 5k or 10k Trail Runs on Friday, March 31 at 5pm, a benefit for the Northern Mariana Islands Football (Soccer) Association. The 5k is perfect for families or those just wanting to be apart of the action and take in the scenery, while the serious runner will revel in the challenges of the 10k competition. Cost is $15 and includes an event t-shirt. $5 from every entry goes to the NMI Football Association.

Both runs start at Micro Beach and take competitors to the edge of the Smiling Cove Marina and around Memorial Park. Awards will be given to the top three inishers in each of the following age groups: 9 and under; 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+

In addition to the runs the NMIFA and XTERRA will host a free soccer skills challenge for the kids! Friday at 5 p.m.

KIDS BIKE RACE TOO! There is also an XTERRA kid’s bike race on Saturday that is free and designed to give children the opportunity to compete like their parents in a positive and fun environment. Kids of all ages are invited to enjoy this unique island mini-course where everyone’s a winner and all will earn a medal. Starts at 9am.

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In an effort to create a more accessible XTERRA experience to a broader range of athletes the half-distance XTERRA Sport race and Camp-and-Race package are available in Saipan.

Ideal for beginners, the XTERRA Sport competition features a 750-meter swim followed by a 20k mountain bike and a 5k trail run.

To prepare newcomers for their adventure professional triathletes will teach the XTERRA University training camp. Two full-days of instruction and one-on-one advice will have first-time and novice competitors ready to race. The camp is an in-depth clinic designed to improve and enhance the skills used in XTERRA racing. It teaches hands-on sessions focusing on mountain biking, ocean swimming, , transition, nutrition, and more.

The camp runs from 9am to 5pm on March 29-30.

Based at the Pacific Islands Club, a variety of trails and beaches island-wide will also be utilized for teaching.

A pair of socials, the welcome reception on Friday night and the awards dinner on Saturday, will be held at the Pacific Islands Club - the official hotel for the XTERRA Saipan Championship. Located on the beach, the Pacific Islands Club offers competitors, friends, and family a very special rate of $80 per night (must book by March 11, 2006) plus tax, which includes access to the resort’s extensive facilities.

The Pacific Islands Club is made for adventure and boasts a wide range of activities for guests from tennis, beach volleyball, archery, and a golf putting course - to its very own water park featuring a lazy river and Asia's only point break wave machine.

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“Mother Nature is your toughest competitor” SWIM LEG XTERRA Saipan Championship (1.5-kilometers) XTERRA Sport (750-meters)

A cannon blast will signal the start of both races and championship competitors will swim two laps of a 750-meter triangular course off Micro Beach. A short sprint between laps will allow spectators to catch a glimpse of the race in progress. Sport racers swim just one 750-meter lap.

BIKE LEG XTERRA Saipan Championship (30-kilometers) XTERRA Sport (20-kilometers)

Competitors will transition from the swim to the bike at Micro Beach, and follow Micro Beach Road across the main highway and up towards . Here they’ll begin a climb to the highest point of the island, (1,545 feet elevation). A single track loop section is included in the climb, which will reward competitors with spectacular views south and west over the island from the top.

Bikers will descend on gravel road to a right turn that will take them north and out past the Magellan Club. At the end of the road, a high outlook will signal the start of single track that will twist through dark jungle and farm land, and past cliffs and caves - emerging near the King Fisher Golf Course. From there, a gravel road will take competitors through the Commonwealth government complex to the final section which will include a steep off-road descent before hitting the road again in Chinatown and returning through Garapan to Micro Beach. Sport competitors will take an alternate trail at the base of Mount Tapochau to eliminate the climbing portion of the bike course. 10 ccoouurrssee ddeessccrriippttiioonn

RUN LEG XTERRA Saipan Championship (12-kilometers) XTERRA Sport (5-kilometers)

Runners will take a trail past Smiling Cove Marina to the end of the park, where they will cross the road and begin an uphill section on jeep trail to the back of Commonwealth Health Center. From there, they will climb to the middle of the island before dropping into a natural gully and heavy jungle which they will follow for just under two miles, until it crosses the bike path. Here they will dive back into the jungle and begin the downhill descent.

XTERRA Sport Course Map see next page for XTERRA Saipan Championship Course Map

Under the umbrella of the rainforest canopy, competitors will encounter huge boulders, World War II relics, and climb up and into a series of caves. The trail will end behind the Saipan Botanical Gardens where there is the Katori Shine and ruins of a and prison. The course will hit the beach and then it will be a half-mile run to the finish on soft sand.

XTERRA Sport racers will run a 5k around American Memorial Park.

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Qualifying slots into the Nissan Xterra World Championships Maui, HI on October 29, 2006

Age Group Male Female 15-19 1 1 20-24 1 1 25-29 2 2 30-34 3 2 35-39 3 2 40-44 3 2 45-49 2 2 50-54 1 1 55-59 1 1 60+ 1 60-64 1 65+ 1 12 tthhee pprrooss

The professionals competing in Saipan are among the best mountain bikers and triathletes on the planet, drawing not only from the U.S., but also Japan, France, Switzerland, Australia, and Canada. They will race for US $15,000 in cash which will be paid to the top 10 men and seven women professional finishers.

XTERRA Saipan Championship Pro Purse (US $15,000)

Rank Men Women 1st $2,200 $2,200 2nd $1,700 $1,700 3rd $1,200 $1,200 4th $800 $800 5th $600 $600 6th $400 $400 7th $300 $300 8th $250 9th $200 10th $150

Marceau Bucher

CONFIRMED PROS:

Men Olivier Marceau (France) - 2-time XTERRA Saipan & XTERRA Europe Champ (‘04 & ‘05). Olympic triathlete. Yu Yumoto (Japan) - 2001 & ‘05 XTERRA Japan Champ. Second at XTERRA Saipan in 2003, 5th last year. Tara Shirato (Japan) - Long-time professional triathlete & instructor, placed 4th at XTERRA Saipan last year. Kyosuke Takei (Japan) - Placed sixth at XTERRA Saipan last year in first professional race. Ryan DeCook (Michigan) - XTERRA National Champion in 20-24 age division. First professional race. Ben Buchholz (Australia) - ITU road triathlete in first XTERRA Saipan.

Women Jamie Whitmore (California) - Three-time XTERRA Saipan Champ (2002-04), 4-time XTERRA U.S. Champ. Renata Bucher (Switzerland) - 2005 XTERRA Saipan Champ, also won Austria, Czech and European Tour. Mami Saito (Japan) - Placed 4th last year at XTERRA Saipan, and finished 13th at XTERRA Worlds. Yuko Sasaki (Japan) - Placed 7th last year at XTERRA Saipan and was 2nd at XTERRA Japan in 2004.

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RENATA BUCHER JAMIE WHITMORE Lucerne, Switzerland Somerset, California 2005 XTERRA Saipan, XTERRA European Tour, 3-Time XTERRA Saipan Champion (2002-2004) XTERRA Austria, and XTERRA Czech Champion 2005 XTERRA Brazil and XTERRA Japan Champion 2005 XTERRA East and Midwest Champion AGE: Born May 30, 1977...attended the Univ. of Zuerich. 2004 XTERRA World Champion XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Second year. 4-Time XTERRA Pro Series Champion 2004: 9th at XTERRA Germany in first-ever XTERRA. 4-Time XTERRA USA Champion 2005: Won Saipan, finished 2nd at Tagaman, won the PIC 2-Time XTERRA European Tour Champ Double for best combined time, was 3rd at Temecula, won XTERRA Czech (beating the last three XTERRA World PERSONAL: Born May 4, 1976…ran track and cross Champs in the process), 3rd at XTERRA Italy, 5th in country at Cal State - Northridge while earning her bachelor Richmond, won XTERRA Austria, was second at XTERRA of arts degree in criminology. Spain and third at XTERRA Germany. Won the XTERRA XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Fifth year. All-time winningest European Tour and was 9th in the XTERRA U.S. Pro Points XTERRA athlete, male or female, with 26 career victories. Series. Placed 4th at the XTERRA World Championship 2002: Won the Nissan Xterra USA and Central Championships, placed second at Half Moon Bay. Also won the Nissan Xterra Pro Points Series Championship. Captured her first-ever XTERRA title at XTERRA Saipan. 2003: Won four straight races in Saipan, Big Bear, Richmond, and the Czech Republic, before placing second at XTERRA Canada. Also won XTERRA Netherlands and XTERRA Germany en route to capturing the inaugural XTERRA European Tour Championship. Capped off her season with a win in Tahoe for her second Pro Series title. 2004: Won in Saipan, Keystone, Big Bear, Lake Tahoe, Austria, Czech, Italy, Netherlands, and Japan. Finished second at Richmond, and third in Germany. Won the XTERRA USA Pro Series Championship for the third straight year and the XTERRA European Tour for the sec- ond consecutive season. Picked up her biggest career win at XTERRA World Championship. 2005: Finished 2nd at XTERRA Saipan, the Nissan Xterra West Championship, XTERRA Czech, and XTERRA Italy before winning East title in Richmond. Then placed sec- ond at XTERRA Austria, won the Midwest Championship in Milwaukee and finished 2nd in Keystone before winning the inaugural XTERRA Brazil Championship, and then her sec- ond XTERRA Japan title. Won in Tahoe for the fourth straight year to secure her fourth consecutive XTERRA U.S. Pro Points Series title. Was the runner-up in the XTERRA European Tour. Placed 3rd at the XTERRA World Championship.

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OLIVIER MARCEAU YU YUMOTO Cannes, France Chiba, Japan 2004-'05 XTERRA Saipan Champion 2005 XTERRA Japan Champion 2005 XTERRA Czech, Italy, and Spain Champion 2001 XTERRA Japan Champion 2004-'05 XTERRA European Tour Champ 2004 XTERRA Austria & XTERRA Germany Champion PERSONAL: Born September 4, 1978. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Seventh year. PERSONAL: Born January 30, 1973. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Placed second at 2003 XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Fifth year, in first-ever race he XTERRA Saipan Championship and was 5th last year. won XTERRA Czech in 2002. Finished 22nd at the XTERRA World Championship last RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Two-time Olympic triath- year. lete - finishing 8th in Athens and 7th in Sydney; 2000 ITU Long Distance World Champion. 2004: Won in Saipan, Austria, and Germany, was 7th at XTERRA Czech, and third at XTERRA Italy. Put together the best three races in Europe this year to claim the XTERRA European Tour Championship. Placed 2nd at XTERRA World Championship where he was the race leader until mile out of run transition. 2005: Won XTERRA Saipan, Tagaman, and the PIC Double for the second straight year, finished third in Temecula, won XTERRA Czech and XTERRA Italy, placed 3rd in Richmond, then won XTERRA Spain which earned him his second straight XTERRA European Tour title. Did not race in Keystone. Placed 6th in Tahoe and finished third in the XTERRA U.S. Pro Points Series. Placed 7th at XTERRA World Championship

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Saipan has once again lured two of the world’s finest athletes to their Island for two weeks of racing and fun. Jamie Whitmore and Olivier Marceau are among the best-of-the-best in the sport of triathlon. Marceau was seen by millions as he led the bike pack at the Olympic triathlon event in Athens and Whitmore is the all-time winningest and highest profile XTERRA athlete on the planet. Olivier is back for his third year, Jamie is back for the fifth time! Here is what Olivier has to say about XTERRA Saipan:

“I think I've never done such a hard course because of the heat, the humidity, and the very technical bike and run course, but I really enjoyed it because it was a very well organized race. It was good to swim in the clear water in this beautiful ocean. This was very good training…no pressure and a very friendly atmosphere, whatever the results you always enjoy your race. I really like the spirit and to have fun while I'm racing. Saipan is amaz- ing…I've never done such a hard race, in the jungle, the trails, and the cave... it was crazy. It's been 15 years I've been racing triathlon and I can honestly say that this was one of the best. Very well organized, very friendly organization, and that's what I like you know, the XTERRA spirit.”

For Jamie Whitmore, her adventure to Saipan in April of 2002 sparked a string of events no one could possibly imagine. “Back then I was just pumped to be competing against the best XTERRA woman around at the time in such an exotic place. To come out ahead...that was a surprise.” Ahead, indeed. That first year Jamie won convincingly with a 10-minute margin of victory over Australia’s best, Jody Mielke, and 20-minutes in front of the XTERRA World Champ, Anke Erlank from South Africa. And off she went. She won two more championship races that year and the coveted Nissan Xterra Pro Points Series Championship. Her pro racing career was underway. Using her athletic success as a tool for positive change, rather than just a paycheck, Jamie starting racing for a reason (check out her website @ www.jamiewhitmore.com). In 2003 when she came to Saipan Jamie brought her friend Bryan Medrano - a 30-year-old with Huntington’s Disease (a genetic neurological condition with symptoms similar to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's). The disease currently has no cure. Whitmore got Bryan involved in mountain biking and convinced him to try XTERRA, & now Bryan credits her with improving his life. “Jamie not only has the talent, dedication, and competitiveness to be the best XTERRA female athlete in the world, she shows the same dedication towards helping others,” said Medrano. In 2003 Whitmore again dominated in Saipan, and in the U.S., and in Europe. She solidified herself as the top female in the sport of XTERRA. She traveled the world with her husband, Courtney - one of the world’s best amateurs and mountain biking guru in his own right. Entering 2004 Jamie had won everything but the XTERRA World Championship, so her father Biff bet her that if she won the big one in Maui, he’d race alongside her in Saipan. Well, she won and Biff raced and the 58- year-old former auditor appraiser will be racing again this year. Last year Whitmore had all kinds of problems with her bike, but never gave up and finished second. She hopes to return to the champions chair this year. “Of all the races I’ve ever done, Saipan is my all-time favorite. Saipan has the most wonderful volunteers and spectators, and all the locals make the athletes feel so welcome,” said Whitmore. “It’s a family thing, and as long as they have an XTERRA in Saipan, I will be there.” Along with her friends and family! 16 tthhee PPIICC ddoouubbllee

The Pacific Islands Club “Double” is awarded to the man and woman with the fastest combined 2006 XTERRA Saipan and Tagaman Triathlon time, a feat reserved for only the most durable athletes as the two events are held just seven days apart. “The Double” enjoyed its inaugural season in 2004 with a total of 22 athletes accepting the challenge. Last year, 32 athletes did both races. The Pacific Islands Club awards $500 and 6-days, 5-nights at the PIC to the winners. Last year two-time Olympian Olivier Marceau won for the second straight year while Switzerland’s Renata Bucher won the women’s title from Jamie Whitmore. Courtney Cardenas and Dawn Hammermeister have been the top amateurs the last two years. Marceau at Tagaman 2005 PIC DOUBLE RESULTS

First Name Last Name COUNTRY XTERRA Tagaman Combined Olivier Marceau SWITZERLAND 2:33:47 2:57:44 5:31:31 Jason Chalker AUSTRALIA 2:44:13 3:00:01 5:44:14 Renata Bucher SWITZERLAND 2:51:40 3:22:31 6:14:11 Jamie Whitmore CALIFORNIA 3:04:45 3:12:05 6:16:50 Courtney Cardenas CALIFORNIA 3:08:24 3:26:19 6:34:43 Stephan Samoyloff SAIPAN 3:14:42 3:28:15 6:42:57 Jude Baker GUAM 3:16:24 3:27:05 6:43:29 Simon Toozoff AUSTRALIA 3:13:41 3:33:32 6:47:13 Mario Deicher SWITZERLAND 3:31:26 3:35:05 7:06:31 Tyce Mister SAIPAN 3:43:25 3:43:00 7:26:25 Dirk Sharer SAIPAN 4:04:08 3:24:42 7:28:50 Keenan Tydingco GUAM 3:51:14 3:44:33 7:35:47 Richard Sikkel SAIPAN 3:45:47 3:56:37 7:42:24 Rob Carruth SAIPAN 3:47:37 3:58:09 7:45:46 Dawn Hammermeister SAIPAN 3:52:04 4:03:12 7:55:16 Gary Padsing SAIPAN 3:55:30 4:02:14 7:57:44 Ronald Cummings GUAM 4:26:36 3:44:18 8:10:54 John Douglas SAIPAN 4:14:51 4:06:18 8:21:11 Florian Braig SAIPAN 4:16:11 4:07:15 8:23:26 Donna Baker GUAM 4:47:57 4:11:17 8:59:14 Michael Johnson SAIPAN 5:01:46 4:11:46 9:13:32 Brad Ruszala SAIPAN 5:46:14 4:27:30 10:13:44 Susanne Knecht SAIPAN 5:46:36 4:45:18 10:31:54 Richard Brostrom SAIPAN TEAM Cooper Schraudenbach SAIPAN TEAM Cooper Graf SAIPAN TEAM Glenn Jewell SAIPAN TEAM Melissa Coleman SAIPAN TEAM Joshua Berger SAIPAN TEAM Ketson-Jack Kabiriel SAIPAN TEAM Butch Sublemente SAIPAN SPORT Manny Sitchon SAIPAN SPORT Mieko Motoyoshi SAIPAN SPORT

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MARCEAU SLIPS PAST FUKUI, BUCHER UPSETS WHITMORE

SAIPAN (April 9, 2005) - On a stunningly beautiful day in paradise Renata Bucher stunned XTERRA superstar Jamie Whitmore and Olivier Marceau outlasted a remarkable effort by Hideo Fukui en route to winning the women and men's overall championships at XTERRA Saipan. Azure colored water, a powder blue sky, light island breezes, and a sunny 85-degree day greeted an international field of more than 150 competitors representing 10 countries to the fourth annual XTERRA Saipan Championship. Earlier in the week the neighbor island volcano on erupted, sending ash 50,000 feet in the air and an omi- nous black cloud over the island of Saipan. The locals had never seen anything like it, and they'd never seen Whitmore - the three-time Saipan Champ, current Nissan Xterra World Champ, USA Champ, and European Tour Champ - lose. The black cloud for Whitmore came in the shape of a "huge stick" in her derailleur - which caused havoc for her during the last four miles of the 19-mile bike course - and a petite challenger that climbed hills the way Ned Overend used too (and certainly still does). Bucher, a pro duathlete and primary school teacher in her hometown of Lucerne, Switzerland, came into the race with a reputation as being a great cyclist and really fast runner, but slow in the swim. She placed ninth in Germany last year in her first-ever XTERRA. Today she lost three-and-a-half minutes to Whitmore on the swim, but then posted the fastest bike and run splits and finished with a 13-minute margin of victory. "My race starts on the bike and the hills are my strength," said Bucher. "I like to stand-up because I can push much harder, then I am very casual with the downhills. I always think the uphill is more important and if I push there then I don't have to race too much on the downhills." That's exactly how it worked out, and on a course perfectly suited for that strategy with a few thousand feet of climbing to the top of Mt. Topatchau (1,500 feet). Bucher made up her lost time in the swim by the halfway point on the bike and only Fukui and Marceau peddled faster - and all on a borrowed bike from Romey at Saipan Bike Pro. "She was standing up cranking, and obviously she had been riding that way up to the point she got me and I wasn't," said Whitmore. "I was caught off guard, and I don't know if I was snoozing or what, but it woke me up and for the rest of the bike we were battling it out. She was stronger on the hills. She stood every single climb. The last person I'd ever seen climb like that was Ned Overend, someone that could stand the entire time on a mountain bike course. I was just kind of blown away."

MARCEAU MARCEAU The two-time Swiss Olympian Olivier Marceau (32, living in Cannes, France) needed a course-record run to push past Japanese Olympian Hideo Fukui and win his second straight Saipan title. "He gave me a hard time," said Marceau. "I knew he was a very good swimmer but I was expecting to stay on his feet. I couldn't because he was just a little bit too fast for me so I was 20 seconds behind him after the swim." And for Fukui, who was also second in the inaugural Saipan Championship back in 2002, the bike went just as well. "At the beginning of the bike I started to catch him and I thought it was good because he won't stay with me for a long time, but he did," said Marceau. "I had a problem with my derailleur after I hit it against a tree and it wasn't working very well so I couldn't ride as fast as I wanted, but he had a very good bike." The result was a surprising one-minute advantage for Fukui heading out onto the run. "I started running very fast to catch him and fortunately for me, but unfortunately for him, he got lost and missed an arrow," said Marceau. "So Fukui kept going straight and had to turn around to come back, and we start again together. Then I was running a bit faster so I could break away until the finish, but it was very, very hard. Not easy at all." 2003 XTERRA Saipan Champion Jason Chalker was in third the entire day, posting the third fastest swim, fourth fastest bike, and third best run. At 38-years-old, Japanese pro and XTERRA Japan organizer Taro Shirato placed fourth. Yu Yumoto, who was second in 2003, struggled with mechanicals but still managed to finish on the podium in fifth place. "This place is fantastic," said Marceau. "The swim is very enjoyable, the blue ocean, crystal clear water. The bike is tough, hot, humid and very steep, and the jungle is amazing. For me Saipan is now an event not to be missed.” 18 22000055 rreessuullttss

2005 XTERRA Saipan Championship Race Results

PRO MEN Place Name Age Hometown Final Time Purse 1 Olivier Marceau 32 Cannes, France 2:33:47 $2,200 2 Hideo Fukui 27 Shibuya-Ku, Japan 2:34:48 $1,700 3 Jason Chalker 30 Sydney, Australia 2:44:13 $1,200 4 Taro Shirato 38 Tokyo, Japan 3:02:22 $800 5 Yu Yumoto 27 Chiba, Japan 3:06:15 $600 6 Kyosuke Takei 26 Tsukuba-Shi, Japan 3:07:27 $400

PRO WOMEN Place Name Age Hometown Final Time Purse 1 Renata Bucher 27 Lucerne, Switzerland 2:51:40 $2,200 2 Jamie Whitmore 28 Elk Grove, California 3:04:45 $1,700 3 Ingrid Rolles 32 Honolulu, Hawaii 3:20:34 $1,200 4 Mami Saito 27 Kawasaki, Japan 3:23:57 $800 5 Misa Nonaka 27 Nishikamo-Gun, Japan 3:42:26 $600 6 Yasuko Miyazaki 27 Setagaya-Ku, Japan 3:45:56 $400 7 Yuko Sasaki 25 Tsukuba-Gun, Japan 3:57:14 $300

Fastest swim: Hideo Fukui (21:08), Misa Nonaka (25:02) *ALSO QUALIFYING FOR MAUI: Fastest bike: Hideo Fukui (1:19:32), Renata Bucher (1:23:41) Division Name Time Hometown Fastest run: Olivier Marceau (50:46), Renata Bucher (55:18) 25 - 29 Anthony Snoble 3:23:27 New York 30 - 34 Yuka Sawa 5:14:21 Japan XTERRA SAIPAN CHAMPIONS (FEMALE AGE GROUP) 30 - 34 Noriaki Ito 3:10:55 Japan DivisionName Time Hometown 30 - 34 Tae Yoong Kim 3:27:54 Japan 30 - 34 Tara Reyes 4:50:06 Hagatna, Guam 35 - 39 Susanne Knecht 5:46:36 Saipan 35 - 39 Donna Baker 4:47:57 Tumon Bay, Guam 35 - 39 Jude Baker 3:16:24 Guam 40 - 44 Dawn Hammermeister 3:52:04 Saipan, CNMI 35 - 39 Hideto Sato 3:25:51 Japan 45 - 49 Setsuko Okada 5:59:50 Nakatsukawa, Japan 40 - 44 Janet Soule 4:12:28 California 40 - 44 Rob Carruth 3:47:37 Saipan XTERRA SAIPAN CHAMPIONS (MALE AGE GROUP) 40 - 44 Yoshiki Nishiyama 3:48:32 Japan DivisionName Time Hometown 45 - 49 Cliff Millemann 3:31:18 California 15 - 19 Keenan Tydingco 3:51:14 Tamuning, Guam 20 - 24 Masahiro Ono 3:55:19 Hodogaya-Ku, Japan * All athletes listed above qualified for the Nissan 25 - 29 Simon Toozoff 3:13:41 Canberra, Australia Xterra World Championship. 30 - 34 Courtney Cardenas 3:08:24 Elk Grove, California 35 - 39 Stephan Samoyloff 3:14:42 Saipan, CNMI 40 - 44 Mario Deicher 3:31:26 Steinhausen, Switzerland 45 - 49 Keiji Matsuba 3:21:22 Gifu City, Japan 50 - 54 Florian Braig 4:16:11 Saipan, CNMI 60 - 65 G.L. Brown 5:03:26 Ada, Michigan 65+ Armin Beyrich 4:36:21 Eresing, Germany

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An international field representing Japan, Australia, Switzerland, France, Spain, Hong Kong, Canada, Guam, Saipan, and all over the United States participated in the 2004 event. A total of 25 athletes* earned their place at the start line in Maui by virtue of their performance. The top overall amateur male was Whitmore’s husband, Courtney Cardenas of Elk Grove, California with a time of 3:00:53. The top female was Dawn Hammermeister of Saipan in 4:04:03. The winning relay team was comprised of Dan Okeeffe, James Sherman, and Ryun Mouton (run) of Guam. Their time of 3:11:19 was 10th overall and the best of 15 teams in the championship. There was also an XTERRA Sport race comprised of a 750-meter swim, 20k-mountain bike, and 5k trail run. The overall male winner was Hiroyuki Azuma from Ibaraki, Japan. The female champion was Kanae Quinn from Saipan. The top relay team consisted of Jeremy Winkfield (swim), Quincy Johnson (bike) and John Deleon (run). 2004 XTERRA Saipan Championship Race Results

PRO MEN Pl Name Age Hometown Final Time Purse 1 Olivier Marceau 31 Cannes, France 2:33:20 $2,200 2 David Henestrosa 26 Barcelona, Spain 2:42:05 $1,700 3 Josiah Middaugh 25 Vail, Colorado 2:46:25 $1,200 4 Jason Chalker 29 Sydney, Australia 2:57:04 $800 5 Taro Shirato 37 Tokyo, Japan 3:04:49 $600 6 Dominic Gillen 26 Washington, Connecticut 3:09:21 $400

PRO WOMEN Pl Name Age Hometown Final Time Purse 1 Jamie Whitmore 27 Elk Grove, California 3:04:31 $2,200 2 Ingrid Sala 33 Barcelona, Spain 3:30:17 $1,700 3 Yasuko Miyazaki 26 Tokyo, Japan 3:49:35 $1,200 4 Misaki Hosoya 35 Kawanishi, Japan 3:59:42 $800

Fastest swim: Olivier Marceau (21:33), Melissa Coleman (25:19) Fastest bike: Olivier Marceau (1:19:29), Jamie Whitmore (1:36:23) Fastest run: Dominic Gillen (50:53), Jamie Whitmore (1:01:23)

XTERRA SAIPAN CHAMPIONS (FEMALE AGE GROUP) XTERRA SAIPAN CHAMPIONS (MALE AGE GROUP) Division Name Time Hometown Division Name Time Hometown 20 - 24 Yuko Sasaki 4:08:41 Japan 20 - 24 Hideto Takekida 3:15:32 Japan 25 - 29 Renee Scherr 4:52:55 Guam 25 - 29 # Courtney Cardenas 3:00:53 California 30 - 34 Anna Boom 4:41:01 Japan 30 - 34 Tae Yoong Kim 3:21:48 Japan 35 - 39 Dawn Hammermeister 4:04:03 Saipan 35 - 39 Stephan Samoyloff 3:16:50 Saipan 40 - 44 Janet Soule 4:28:56 California 40 - 44 Mario Deicher 3:37:59 Switzerland 45 - 49 # Keiji Matsuba 3:25:08 Japan 50 - 54 Florian Braig 4:32:14 Saipan *ALSO QUALIFYING FOR MAUI: Kyosuke Takei, Yuka 55 - 59 Ryuhei Yamada 5:09:00 Japan Sawa, Julian Coopernurse, Takashi Fujita, Donna Baker, 60+ G.L. Brown 4:59:49 Michigan Arthur Guerrero, Tyce Mister, Marcy Fleming, Yoshiki # Repeat Champion Nishiyama, Paul Chetwynd, and Cliff Millemann

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PRO MEN Pl Name Age Hometown Final Time Purse 1 Jason Chalker 28 Sydney, Australia 2:40:26 $2,200 2 Yu Yumoto 24 Chiba, Japan 2:54:51 $1,700 3 Makoto Nagatome 28 Miyamae-Ku, Japan 2:57:08 $1,200 4 Jude Baker 33 Upper Tumon, Guam 3:16:14 $800 5 Taro Shirato 36 Tokyo, Japan 3:25:13 $600 6 Kaley Parkinson 29 Pleasant Hill, California 3:41:11 $400

PRO WOMEN Pl Name Age Hometown Final Time Purse 1 Jaime Whitmore 26 Elk Grove, California 3:06:59 $2,200 2 Melissa Thomas 33 Boulder, Colorado 3:08:28 $1,700 3 Haruna Hosoya 29 Matsumoto-Shi, Japan 3:38:32 $1,200 4 Misaki Hosoya 34 Kawanishi, Japan 4:26:37 $800

XTERRA SAIPAN CHAMPIONS (FEMALE AGE GROUP) Division Name Time Hometown 20 - 24 Haldre Rogers 4:10:22 Dededo, Guam 25 - 29 Natalie Parkinson 4:24:47 Pleasant Hill, California 35 - 39 Dawn Hammermeister 4:22:19 Saipan, MP 40 - 44 Susan Seay 4:11:38 Tamuning, Guam 55 - 59 Wendy Minor 4:44:37 Honolulu, Hawaii

XTERRA SAIPAN CHAMPIONS (MALE AGE GROUP) Division Name Time Hometown 25 - 29 Courtney Cardenas 3:19:30 Elk Grove, California 30 - 34 Julian Coopernurse 3:15:35 Sinajana, Guam 35 - 39 Arthur Guerrero 3:14:48 Agana, Guam 40 - 44 Paul Chetwynd 3:17:05 Chino, Japan 45 - 49 Keiji Matsuba 3:12:03 Gifu City, Japan 50 - 54 Shiqeru Utagawa 3:55:44 Toride, Japan 55 - 59 Richard Wall 4:06:01 Colorado Springs, CO

MAUI QUALIFIERS: Division Name Time Hometown 25 - 29 Bryan Medrano 3:28:35 Elk Grove, California 25 - 29 Keisuke Kubota 3:51:34 Hitachinaka, Japan 25 - 29 Amy Hollingsworth 4:54:23 Fpo, Guam 30 - 34 Jason Helvey 3:28:10 Dededo, Guam 30 - 34 Fumio Ushijima 3:30:02 Kumamoto-Shi, Japan 35 - 39 Allan Morrison 3:24:41 Brisbane, Australia 35 - 39 Stephan Samoyloff 3:29:13 Saipan, MP 35 - 39 Donna Baker 4:26:02 Upper Tumon, Guam 40 - 44 Mario Deicher 3:47:56 Steinhausen, Switzerland 40 - 44 Peter Sinclair 3:51:40 Saipan, MP CHALKER 45 - 49 Chris Shelley 3:51:00 San Diego, California 21 tthhee ffiirrsstt yyeeaarr

In 2002 Canada’s Mike Vine and Jamie Whitmore of the U.S. dominated the competition at the inaugural XTERRA Saipan Championship in the Northern Mariana Islands. The course instantly acquired legendary status and was described by competitors as “epic”, “exotic”, “tough”, and “fun”.

Japanese Olympic triathlete and short distance triathlon champion, Hideo Fukui, blazed the two-lap 750-meter swim course and was first out of the water. Local Saipan Swim Club member and team swimmer, seung Jin Lee was in second, almost a minute back, with Australian pro Jason Chalker third out of the water 1:30 behind Fukui.

Fukui led the race through the first 20-kilometers of the mountain bike portion before Vine passed him to take the lead for good. At about the same time, the heavens opened up and a torrential rain storm settled in - keeping bikers and runners cool, but creating slippery conditions with pools of standing water and streams running across the trails.

In the women’s race Japanese Olympic triathlete Haruna Hosoya (formerly Ouichi) was first out of the water, but was caught quickly on the bike by Australian pro Jody Mielke. Jamie Whitmore, a mountain bike and running specialist, then reeled in Mielke five miles into the bike section and entered the bike-to-run transition with a six-minute lead.

Hidehito Sato, 2002 XTERRA Japan Champion, was the first amateur to finish with local athlete Tyce Mister finishing in second. Mister was instrumental in designing the XTERRA Saipan course. Guam’s Jude Baker came in third.

Karen Simontachhi of Forest Knolls, California, who combined the race in Saipan with her honeymoon, was the first female amateur to finish. Malaysia’s Fiona Lim placed second and Kathryn Sinclair of Saipan finished third.

The local team comprised of Seung Jin Lee (Swim), Sean Henry (bike) and Suzuki Yoshiharu blitzed the team division in 3:02:30 - a 27-minute margin of victory over the other 11 teams.

PRO MEN DIVISION MEN'S AMATEUR DIVISION RANK NAME TIME RANK NAME TIME First Mike Vine 2:36:23 First Hidehito Sato 3:18:37 Second Hideo Fukui 2:41:14 Second Tyce Mister 3:21:21 Third Jason Chalker 2:46:51 Third Jude Baker 3:21:46

PRO WOMEN DIVISION WOMEN'S AMATEUR DIVISION RANK NAME TIME RANK NAME TIME First Jamie Whitmore 3:05:50 First Karen Simontacchi 3:47:42 Second Jody Mielke 3:16:26 Second Fiona Lim 4:21:39 Third Anke Erlank 3:27:41 Third Kathryn Sinclair 4:37:45

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Plc Name Division Fem Swim Bike Run Overall 1 Michael Vine #7 Pro :21:40 1:21:46 :52:57 2:36:23 2 Hideo Fukui #2 Pro :19:43 1:25:57 :55:35 2:41:15 3 Jason Chalker #1 Pro :21:08 1:29:06 :56:37 2:46:51 4 Gary Mandy #3 Pro :22:51 1:30:01 :57:32 2:50:24 5 Kaley Parkinson #5 Pro :21:36 1:33:23 :58:40 2:53:39 6 Yu Yumoto #8 Pro :24:55 1:27:58 1:05:05 2:57:58 7 Taro Shirato #6 Pro :21:44 1:37:08 1:01:12 3:00:04 8 Jamie Whitmore #24 Pro 1 :25:30 1:34:58 1:05:22 3:05:50 9 Pedro Ribeiro #9 Pro :27:47 1:40:24 1:03:28 3:11:39 10 Jodi Mielke #22 Pro 2 :23:46 1:46:11 1:06:28 3:16:25 11 Hidehito Sato #106 30 - 34 :29:06 1:43:52 1:05:39 3:18:37 12 Tyce Mister #130 35 - 39 :23:42 1:44:32 1:13:07 3:21:21 13 Jude Baker #119 30 - 34 :24:38 1:51:02 1:06:06 3:21:46 14 Fumio Ushijima #129 30 - 34 :33:33 1:44:14 1:09:42 3:27:29 15 Anke Erlank #21 Pro 3 :25:31 1:44:25 1:17:45 3:27:41 16 Arthur Guerrero #102 35 - 39 :28:19 1:44:59 1:16:16 3:29:34 17 Stephan Samoyloff #112 35 - 39 :27:28 1:49:46 1:13:05 3:30:19 18 Hiroshi Naoi #118 40 - 44 :28:39 1:53:05 1:08:52 3:30:36 19 Julian Coppernurse #101 30 - 34 :31:00 1:49:25 1:15:47 3:36:12 20 Allan Morrison #107 35 - 39 :28:40 1:55:51 1:12:42 3:37:13 21 Robert Kaulbach #131 30 - 34 :32:16 1:58:07 1:08:28 3:38:51 22 Haruna Ouchi #23 Pro 4 :22:39 2:04:38 1:14:32 3:41:49 23 Yasuko Miyazaki #25 Pro 5 :25:30 2:08:27 1:08:42 3:42:39 24 Karen Simontacchi #114 30 - 34 6 :24:51 2:07:24 1:15:27 3:47:42 25 Shinichi Saito #121 40 - 44 :32:39 2:01:56 1:17:18 3:51:53 26 Russ Quinn #108 35 - 39 :30:00 2:01:49 1:21:06 3:52:55 27 Rob Carruth #100 40 - 44 :32:47 2:07:12 1:14:40 3:54:39 28 Shigeru Utagawa #122 50 - 54 :36:57 2:04:42 1:15:44 3:57:23 29 Richard Wall #117 55 - 59 :37:10 2:00:41 1:19:39 3:57:30 30 Derk Sharer #113 40 - 44 :30:54 2:09:26 1:17:21 3:57:41 31 Peter Sinclair #116 40 - 44 :31:26 2:12:18 1:17:14 4:00:58 32 Christopher Fryling #123 35 - 39 :33:25 2:13:30 1:17:59 4:04:54 33 Yoshio Gabaldon #128 30 - 34 :32:43 2:21:22 1:13:58 4:08:03 34 Fiona Lim #104 30 - 34 7 :34:45 2:23:02 1:23:52 4:21:39 35 Brett Railey #109 30 - 34 :38:54 2:30:02 1:23:49 4:32:45 36 Kathryn Sinclair #115 40 - 44 8 :33:38 2:45:32 1:18:35 4:37:45 37 John Gentry #124 40 - 44 :31:21 2:32:30 1:35:57 4:39:48 38 Rory MacKay #105 30 - 34 :28:10 2:35:13 2:02:54 5:06:17 39 Jean Sakovich #111 55 - 59 9 :32:32 2:47:44 1:47:26 5:07:42 40 Kanae Quinn #127 30 - 34 10 :33:12 2:46:39 1:47:52 5:07:43 41 Deena Samoyloff #125 30 - 34 11 :47:01 2:51:59 1:38:21 5:17:21 42 Mioko Yamamoto #120 25 - 29 12 :41:43 2:54:51 2:01:19 5:37:53 23 22000066 UU..SS.. SScchheedduullee

DATE Race Location Region March 25 Guam XTICER Off-Road Triathlon Piti, Guam SW April 1 XTERRA Saipan Championship Saipan, N. Mariana Islands SW April 2 REAL Mountain Bike Triathlon Granite Bay, CA SW April 2 Florida Off-Road Triathlon North Miami, FL SE April 23 Puerto Rico Off-Road Triathlon Rincón, PR SE April 23 Arizona Xtreme Desert Triathlon Mesa, AZ SW April 30 Big Blue Off-Road Triathlon Castaic, CA SW May 6 Gator Terra Off-Road Triathlon Ruston, LA SC May 20 Odyssey Off-Road Triathlon Waynesboro, VA MA May 20-21 Nissan Xterra West Championship Temecula, CA SW May 21 Patanella's King Of The Hill Off-Road Triathlon Lebanon, NJ MA May 21 The Dirty Triathlon Canyon Lakes, TX SC June 4 ACE Big Canyon Off-Road Triathlon Oak Hill, WV MA June 4 Deuces Wild Off-Road Triathlon Show Low, AZ SW June 10 Eureka Springs Off-Road Triathlon Eureka Springs, AR SC June 10 Buffalo Creek Off-Road Triathlon Buffalo Creek, CO MT June 10-11 Nissan Xterra Southeast Championship Pelham, AL SE June 17 Solstice Triathlon La Grande, OR NW June 17-18 Nissan Xterra East Championship Richmond, VA MA June 24 Arrowhead Trails Off-Road Triathlon Macon, GA SE June 24 Dawg Dayz Off-Road Triathlon North Little Rock, AR SC June 25 Torn Shirt Trail Triathlon Brighton, MI NC July 9 Lock 4 Blast Off-Road Triathlon Gallatin, TN SE July 9 Vashon Island Off-Road Triathlon Vashon Island, WA NW July 15 Iron Creek Off-Road Triathlon Spearfish, SD MT July 16 Capitol City DIRT Triathlon Hartford, CT NE July 16 General Butler Off-Road Triathlon Carrollton, KY NC July 16 Midwest Mudder Off-Road Triathlon Lawrence, KS SC July 16 EX2 Off-Road Triathlon Flintstone, MD MA July 22 Kincaid Hammerman Triathlon Anchorage, AK NW July 23 First Coast Off-Road Triathlon Jacksonville, FL SE July 23 Moonlight Basin Off-Road Triathlon Big Sky, MT MT July 29 DINO Triathlon - Logansport Logansport, IN NC July 30 Crested Butte Bank Trails Triathlon Crested Butte, CO MT August 5-6 Nissan Xterra Midwest Championship Milwaukee, WI NC August 6 Sky High Off-Road Triathlon Grafton, NY NE August 6 Panther Creek Off-Road Triathlon Morristown, TN SE August 6 Snow Valley Off-Road Triathlon Running Springs, CA SW August 13 STOAKED Off-Road Triathlon Hanover, NH NE August 13 maddog Trail Triathlon Bethel, OH NC August 13 Iron Will XC Triathlon Jonesboro, AR SC August 19 DINO Triathlon - New Castle New Castle, IN NC August 19 Jamba Juice Mountainman Triathlon Kaaawa, HI (Oahu) SW August 17-19 Nissan Xterra Mountain Championship Ogden, UT MT August 20 Charlottesville Off-Road Triathlon Charlottesville, VA MA August 20 Sisters High Cascades Off-Road Triathlon Sisters, OR NW August 26 Moab Steelbender Off-Road Triathlon Moab, UT MT August 27 Schiff Scout Mountain Bike Triathlon Wading River, NY NE August 27 Wild Ride Off-Road Triathlon McCall, ID NW September 30 XTERRA Nevada Lake Tahoe, NV October 1 Nissan Xterra USA Championship Lake Tahoe, NV October 29 Nissan Xterra World Championship Makena, Maui, Hawaii 24 UU..SS.. SSeerriieess RRaacciinngg

The Nissan Xterra USA Championship series is designed to provide age group athletes with a bona-fide championship to compete for within their geographic region. At the end of the regular season the top performers in each of eight regions are invited to compete against other athletes their same age - but from different regions - at the national championship in Nevada on October 1. This year there are more than 50 races heading into 30 states across the country, as well as Puerto Rico, Guam, and Saipan. It marks the 10th straight year of expansion for the sport of XTERRA.

Here's how the Series works: 1) There are eight regions, determined by a competitor's primary residence at the time of their first race:

NORTH EAST (NE) - Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York. MID ATLANTIC (MA) - Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C. SOUTH EAST (SE) - Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands NORTH CENTRAL (NC) - Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky. SOUTH CENTRAL (SC) - Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas. MOUNTAIN (MT) - Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming. NORTH WEST (NW) - Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska. SOUTH WEST (SW) - California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, Pacific Territories.

2) Age Group: "XTERRA Age" is based on a competitor's age on December 31, 2006. Athletes compete in the following age categories: 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60+ (w), 60-64 (m), 65+ (m),

3) Series competitors race for points at their choice of 50+ events - including Nissan Xterra Points Series (NXPS) races and Nissan Xterra Championship Series (NXCS) races. Competitors are required to race and count points in at least one event in his/her region. Competitors can enter as many events as they'd like, however, they count just their best three finishes.

4) Points are awarded to the top 15 finishers in each age group at each race. If you race at more than one Nissan Xterra Championship event, only the best finish counts at full points. Any other finishes earn points at the same rate as the Nissan Xterra Points Series races. There are two points systems:

Nissan Xterra Championship Series: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 100 90 82 75 69 63 58 53 49 45 41 37 34 31 28 Nissan Xterra Points Series: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 75 67 61 56 51 47 43 39 36 33 30 27 25 23 21

5) The highest points scorers in each region are invited to compete for a national title at the Nissan Xterra USA Championship in Nevada. The competitor with the most points in their age group in each XTERRA Region earns the title of XTERRA Regional Champion, and is invited to nationals - along with the other top finishers.

Nissan Xterra USA Championship Slots Available in each of eight regions: AGE GROUP 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65+ TOTAL Male 2 5 10 10 974322155 Female 2 4 10 975322 1 45 TOTAL492019161275431100 25 22000066 gglloobbaall ttoouurr

DATE Race - Location March 25 XTERRA South Africa Championship - Grabouw, Western Cape April 1 XTERRA Saipan Championship - Saipan, CNMI April 8 XTERRA New Zealand Championship - Rotorua May 27 XTERRA France Championship - St. Raphael June 4 XTERRA Italy Championship - Villacidro, Sardinia, Italy June 24 XTERRA Czech Championship - Hlubloka nad Vltavou June 24 XTERRA Mexico Championship - Puerto Vallarta July 22 XTERRA Austria Championship - TBD July 29 XTERRA Spain Championship - Bakio, Euskadi July 30 XTERRA Brazil Championship - Ilhabela August 12 XTERRA Denmark Championship - Arhus, Jutland August 26 XTERRA Japan Championship - Marunuma September 2 XTERRA United Kingdom - Wales, UK September 9 XTERRA Germany Championship - Titisee, Schwartzwald October 1 Nissan Xterra USA Championship - Lake Tahoe, NV October 29 Nissan Xterra World Championship - Maui, HI

Schedule subject to change. as of 2/5//06. Info: www.xterraplanet.com/race or call toll-free to 877-751-8880

Note: This scedule does not include in-country Series such as the Nissan Xterra USA Championship Series, Austrian Tour, German Tour, Czech Tour, Italian Tour, Spanish Tour, etc...

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Following an action-packed racing season that will span 17 countries with more than 100 events, XTERRA will host its 11th Nissan Xterra World Championship in Maui on October 29th. A season-ending blow-out like no other, the World Championship is the culmination of a worldwide series of races held in Saipan, South Africa, Germany, Czech Republic, Spain, New Zealand, Austria, Italy, France, Denmark, England, Japan, Brazil, and the United States. The race course, considered one of XTERRA's toughest and most grueling, will consist of a 1.5-kilometer roughwater swim at Makena Beach, a grueling 30-kilometer mountain bike on the slopes of Haleakala, and an 11-kilometer trail run. Access to this legendary course is permitted once a year - on race day. Conditions change radically from year to year, diminishing the advantage to repeat competitors, and perpetuating the course's stature as among the most intimidating in the series. The maxed-out field is limited to 500 competitors, who represent the best off-road, multisport athletes on the planet. It is a "winner take all" race, with one of the richest pro purses in multisport at $125,000, and it is awarded solely on the basis of the Maui performance. Since this race is a stand-alone event, it offers a unique opportunity to competitors. Even those who have had a less than stellar season, are given an opportunity to redeem themselves and earn the coveted title of XTERRA World Champion. Last year Nicolas LeBrun of France captured the men’s championship and Melanie McQuaid from Canada won her second world championship in three years. A special prime, the Hawaiian Airlines Double, will pay $2,500 to the man and woman with the fastest combined Hawaii Ironman and XTERRA World Championship time. Only eight days and a narrow channel of ocean separate the two events, which each year attract a growing number of endurance athletes. In 2005, Canada’s Peter Reid won the men’s double and Australia’s Kate Major won the women’s double. CBS will be there to televise all the action for a one-hour "CBS Sports Spectacular" which will air on Super Bowl Sunday in 2007. 27 aabboouutt ssaaiippaann

Saipan is one of 14 tropical islands comprising the Northern Marianas chain. The chain spans 400 miles in the western Pacific Ocean, adjacent to the famed Marianas Trench – where the world’s greatest known ocean depth of 35,810 feet has been measured. Volcanic in origin, the Marianas lie approximately 1,300 miles south of Tokyo, 1,400 miles east of Manila, 3,200 miles west of Honolulu, and 2,900 miles north of Sydney.

Saipan, the largest and most populated island in the group, measures 13 miles long and six miles across at its widest point (area 47 square miles). Saipan’s western shore is almost completely encircled by a huge barrier reef creating a beautiful, calm lagoon with sparkling white sand beaches.

The Northern Marianas enjoy one of the most stable climates in the world with abundant year-round sunshine and refreshingly clean air and water. Average year-round temperature is 84 degrees Fahrenheit with an average humidity of 79%. The ocean temperature averages 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

The three primary islands for tourism in the Marianas are Saipan, and . In addition to these three main islands, the Marianas chain also includes The Northern Islands. These locations are accessible only via private boat, plane or helicopter.

HISTORY

The Mariana Islands (including Guam) were settled by ocean going canoe voyagers some 3,000 years ago. Because of linguistic similarities, these people are believed to have originated from the Indo-Malaysian group.

A well developed culture is exemplified by the Latte Culture (Latte Stones are believed to be house foundations for upper class members of the communities). The complexity of the latte quarrying and installation (some stones weighed several tons and were carried several miles from the quarry to the house site) indicated complex and prosperous social systems.

By the time Magellan touched on Guam in 1521, the latte sites were no longer in use. Magellan’s contact, under unfortunate circumstances, was brief and violent. The islands were later called the Islas de los Ladrones (Islands of Thieves), a name which stuck until 1668 when the first Spanish missionary, Fr. Sanvitores, set up the first European colony on Guam.

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The Spanish operation on Guam led to conflict with the islanders over several decades. It is believed that there were 50,000 islanders at the beginning of European contact and only 1,500 - 2,000 by the year 1720.

The remaining islanders, now called Chamorros, intermarried with the Spanish garrisons made up of Mexicans, Tagalogs and Spanish troops. Nearly all of them had been moved to Guam during the fighting when the survivors became fervent Catholics.

In the early 1800’s a group of Carolinians were allowed to settle on Saipan and formed the base of the second indigenous ethnic group in the Northern Marianas.

After the Spanish/American War in 1898, Spain sold all of the islands except Guam (captured and claimed by the U.S.) to Germany. The Germans, never more than 20 officials in all of the islands, introduced scientific agriculture and the western concept of land ownership.

Japan captured the islands from Germany in 1914 as World War I opened in Europe. Japan settled thousands of civilians in the islands (20,000 in the Northern Marianas alone) who were primarily engaged in commercial fishing and sugar cane production.

The islands became crucial to the Pacific Theater in World War II and some of the bloodiest battles of the war were fought in the Marianas between American and Japanese troops. The only atomic weapons ever to be used in warfare were launched by B29s taking off from the island of Tinian in August of 1945. After the Japanese surrender in 1945, the American Navy administered the islands until they were turned over to the United Nations as the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

In June of 2004, Saipan commemorated the 60th Anniversary of the Battle for Saipan and Tinian - a civic event that "Honored the Memories" held by what will likely be the last surviving generation to return to the historic battlegrounds.

June 15, 2004 marked 60 years since the day the United States invaded the Japanese-held islands of Saipan and Tinian. The battles that followed devastated the Mariana Islands. More than 25,000 people were killed in June and July of 1944 in one of the bloodiest battles in history. To survive, civilians hid in caves and in the jungles. Even after almost 60 years, military fortifications, tanks, and guns still remind visitors of the tragic events that took place here during the war.

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Under the principles of the Trusteeship Agreement and American administration, the islands gradually regained their rights to self- government and the Northern Marianas chose to become a part of the American political family by popular vote in 1975. The rest of the Trust Territory, administered as a single unit since 1947 divided into the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau. THE PEOPLE

The Northern Mariana Islands have become a veritable cosmopolitan community. Recent census information reveals that there are about 18,000 indigenous Chamorro and Carolinians. Out of the 30,000 or so remaining there are large numbers of Filipinos, Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, other Micronesians and mainland Americans. There is also a combination of other nationalities from Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Before and after the race athletes are encouraged to take advantage of the adventure-filled Islands of Saipan, Rota & Tinian. This tropical paradise is rich in natural beauty, history and culture, and offers a wealth of recreational activities from diving in crystal clear oceans and hiking or biking through tropical jungles, to playing a few rounds of golf or just relaxing on the white sand beaches. 30 tthhee rroooottss ooff xxtteerrrraa

IT REALLY STARTED in the late '80's. That's when Tom field was a who's who of international cycling." Kiely (CEO of TEAM Unlimited - owners and producers of A few years later the Olympics allowed pros to compete, XTERRA) was tasked with creating more publicity for the road cycling in the U.S. was on the decline, and the Tour O' Waikiki Oahu Visitors Association. His idea was sports TV. Hawaii was no more. At the same time, however, mountain "First, sports is part of our life blood in Hawaii, and second, biking was taking off. So in 1995, in addition to 12 other TV what looks good on TV? - The beaches and the ocean," shows and several events, TEAM Unlimited produced the explained Kiely. Hawaiian Mountain Tour. The concept was pretty simple. TV sports and entertain- In doing so Nicholas and mountain bike Hall-of-Famer ment is one of the biggest industries in the world. The Dean Crandall established the rules and held the first-ever travel industry is THE BIGGEST industry in the world. Bring mountain bike stage race. This is also where many of the those two together in programming, and you've got XTERRA greats first appeared. The likes of Ned Overend, something big. Shari Kain, Melanie McQuaid, Steve Larsen, Mike Kloser, So he came up with the idea for the Hawaiian International Leslie Tomlinson, and host of others were taking part in the Ocean Challenge - a lifeguard skills competition that Hawaiian Mountain Tour. Now these races took place at attracted water safety specialists from Australia, New Kualoa Ranch on Oahu, where the Koolau mountain range Zealand, California, and of course, Hawaii. Then, he forged meets the ocean, and the story goes that after their races a relationship with ESPN - the worldwide leader in sports. the mountain bikers would ride down to the beach and jump In 1990 the Ocean Challenge was broadcast on ESPN, in the water. It sparked a thought…why not have a and millions of viewers were exposed to the beauty of mountain bike triathlon? Waikiki - the sun, sand, and crystal clear blue water of the By 1996 TEAM Unlimited had produced more than 50 Pacific Ocean. Subsequently, this is where David "Kahuna" shows and sporting events, and while the idea of an off-road Nicholas enters the picture - as "race director." triathlon was enticing - who'd pay for it? "So we get into producing the Ocean Challenge," says Almost simultaneously, the Aston Hotel in Maui (now the Kiely. "And now I'm thinking I've got all these athletes and Wailea Marriott Resort) was shopping for a good idea for TV crews and if it costs me this much to produce one show, their grand opening and the Maui Visitors Bureau was it'll cost less for another, and even less for a third." looking for a new event that could tell a different story about ESPN approves two more shows (Waikiki King's Race and Maui's south shore because all the exposure up to that point Diamond Head Wahine Windsurfing Classic) and in 1991 was golf. Well, what better way to show off the hotel and TEAM Unlimited produces three events and three TV south shore than 1) starting the race at this beautiful beach shows. The concept is working, and Hawaii is reaping the in front of the sponsor hotel, 2) follow a race that covers 21 benefits of the outdoor exposure the shows are generating. miles of terrain with two dozen camera's, and 3) put it on TV "So the next year (1992) we produced seven Hawaiian for the whole world to see? Sports Adventure Shows…multiple segments, different Add a phone call to Kiely from a friendly competitor in the stories, great scenics, and 30-minutes of entertaining, good marketplace (to remain unnamed) inquiring on the very fun stuff," said Kiely. subject of producing an off-road triathlon and you have all Those seven shows were in addition to the Ocean the main ingredients for XTERRA's birth. Challenge and a few others televised events, including the Kiely likes to define luck as the "intersection of opportuni- inaugural Tour O' Hawaii. ty and activity." He recalls bringing Nicholas and VP of "Now that was a great event," said Nicholas - now the Marketing Janet Clark into his office. managing director of the XTERRA Global Tour. "The Tour "Look, I said, so-and-so called me and said that they were O' Hawaii happened before professional cyclists were thinking about doing an off-road tri and if they do, then we're allowed to compete in the Olympics so the top riders from forever second, so we have to be the first ones to do it. every country kept their amateur status so they could race I immediately called Aston and the MVB and said O.K., I've in the Olympics. We just missed Lance because he signed got the idea, here's the thing, bing, bang, boom," said Kiely. with Motorola, but we had George Hincapie, Jan Ulrich, Tyler Hamilton, and dozens of others. Looking back, the "And that's what got us started in XTERRA."

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TEAM Unlimited is a Hawaii-based television events and marketing company, founded in 1988. It owns and produces XTERRA, and in 2006 more than 100 events will be held in 17 countries. It all started with 123 competitors one afternoon in Maui, and has since evolved into the most prestigious off-road multisport race in the world. There are now more than 15,000 competitors, ages 13-65, from all 50 states and more than 40 countries.

XTERRA THROUGH TIME 1996: Jimmy Riccitello and Michellie Jones win inaugural event in Wailea, Maui. 1997: XTERRA adds two events in California, and one in Louisiana in addition to World Championship. 1998: The XTERRA tour goes to Michigan, Colorado, Oregon, and back to Louisiana. 1999: 11 races spanning from California to New Jersey. First year of Pro Points Series. 2000: XTERRA goes global with its first international races in England, Japan, and Canada. 2001: The first year of the Nissan Xterra USA Championship Series, Australia and the Netherlands. 2002: The inaugural XTERRA Saipan Championship, and races in Germany and the Czech Republic. The Nissan Xterra USA Championship Series expands to 31 races. 2003: The seventh consecutive year of expansion provides more than 50 events to compete in. 2004: Forty-five events in the U.S., plus 33 international races and a full-fledged XTERRA European Tour 2006: Now more than 100 races worldwide, and new global stops in Denmark, England, France & Mexico.

Last year XTERRA won the Competitor Magazine award for “best adventure race”. The Competitor Endurance Sports Awards is the nation's premier awards banquet for running, cycling, triathlon, and multisport - Entertainment Tonight has labeled the evening the Academy Awards of Endurance Sports. Also, USA Triathlon members (50,000 strong) voted the Nissan Xterra USA Championship the "Best Intermediate Triathlon". In addition, The Nissan Xterra East Championship was voted Best Triathlon two years running by Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine. TEAM TV

Since 1990 TEAM Unlimited has produced more than 235 television shows resulting in three regional Emmy’s and 26 Telly Awards for production excellence. One of the most recent Telly’s was awarded to the XTERRA Saipan Championship Show. This season the race and Saipan Sports Fest will once again be filmed for a half-hour feature to be broadcast on Gaora TV in Japan and across the U.S. through national syndication.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Trey Garman - [email protected] or 808-216-8606

TELEVISION EVENTS AND MARKETING, INC. 500 Ala Moana Blvd., 2-Waterfront Plaza, Suite 302, Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: 808.521.4322 Fax: 808.538.0314 32