2007 PRESS GUIDE ssppoonnssoorrss

The 2007 XTERRA Saipan Championship is presented by the Marianas Visitors Authority, and sponsored by the Pacific Islands Club, Paul Mitchell, and XTERRA Gear. iinnttoo tthhee jjuunnggllee

THE 6th ANNUAL XTERRA SAIPAN CHAMPIONSHIP

XTERRA is the world’s premier off-road multisport event. An extreme competition, the XTERRA format combines swimming with mountain biking and trail running. It has been described as one part triathlon, 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 2007 there will be more than 100 XTERRA races in 16 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 2007 XTERRA World Championship held in Maui on October 28 - with 36 slots available to the top finishers in each age group (see page 12 for details). The race will also award points to amateur athletes racing in this year’s XTERRA America Tour (see page 30 for details).

The US $20,000 professional purse at the XTERRA Saipan Championship has attracted some of the best multisport athletes on the planet. Plus, there’s the Tagaman Triathlon - the longest running triathlon in the Western Pacific (18 years now) the following Saturday on March 24. The two races provide a perfect early season training schedule for multisport pros.

In between XTERRA Saipan and Tagaman is the Saipan Sports Fest. The Sports Fest runs from March 16 through March 25 and includes a variety of clinics focusing on triathlon preparation, bike maintenance, goal setting, and motivation. There’s also an evening Hash Run, tank-to-tank swims, XTERRA Trail Runs, TagaKids Triathlon, bbq’s, and a 7k/10k Walk. For the hardcore triathletes the Pacific Islands Club (PIC) Double awards $500 and 7-nights at the PIC to the man and woman with the fastest combined XTERRA and Tagaman Triathlon times. TABLE OF CONTENTS Press Information ...... 4 Pacific Islands Club Double ...... 22-23 Quick Facts ...... 5 2006 XTERRA Saipan Results ...... 24-25 XTERRA Saipan Television Show ...... 6 2002-2005 Saipan Results ...... 26-29 Schedule of Events ...... 7 How the USA Series Works ...... 30 XTERRA Trail Runs and Kid’s Bike Race ...... 8 2007 USA Series Schedule ...... 31 XTERRA University/Pacific Islands Club ...... 9 2006 XTERRA Global Tour ...... 32 XTERRA Saipan Course Description ...... 10-12 XTERRA World Championship ...... 33 The Professionals ...... 13-20 About the Northern Mariana Islands ...... 34-36 Jamie and Olivier return to paradise ...... 21 How XTERRA started & TEAM Unlimited . . . .37-38 3 mmeeddiiaa iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn

The XTERRA Saipan Championship Press Guide was designed to provide the media with useful information about the 2007 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 16 and the XTERRA Awards Dinner on March 17. 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 14 through March 24, 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 720 Iwilei Road, Suite 290 Honolulu, Hawaii 96817

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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 trail runs, 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 March 24 (see schedule on page 7).

TELEVISION: XTERRA Saipan, the Sports Fest and Tagman 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 United States 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 $20,000 in cash and amateurs race for age group recognition and a slot into the XTERRA World Championsip in Maui. Plus, the man and woman with the fastest combined XTERRA and Tagaman time receives $500 in cash and 7-nights at the Pacific Islands Club including a Gold Card (three meals per day) for two.

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 $10 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 $10 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 81-47-396-7062 or visit http://www.xterrajapan.net. In Korea, visit http://xterraplanet.co.kr 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 2007.

Held annually in the Northern Mariana Islands, 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 navigate 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 14-15 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 16 11:45 a.m. Tank-to-Tank Swim (Pick-up at PIC Lobby) 1pm-5pm XTERRA and Trail Run Registration and Packet Pick-up @ Micro Beach 5pm XTERRA 5k/10k Sunset Trail Walk/Run Starts @ Micro Beach a benefit for the Commonwealth Diabetes Coalition 6pm XTERRA 5k/10k Sunset Trail Walk/Run Awards Ceremony @ Micro Beach 7pm XTERRA Saipan Welcome Reception at the Pacific Islands Club SATURDAY, MARCH 17 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 (free - awards to all finishers) 10:30am XTERRA Pro Male Winner Expected 10:50am XTERRA Pro Female Winner Expected 12:30pm XTERRA Saipan Championship top 3 Pros Awards Ceremony at Micro Beach 7pm Awards Dinner Banquet at the Pacific Islands Club (Crazy Hat Party or Wig optional) 9pm-till... Post-dinner party - music by XTERRA’s favorite band - MOJO SUNDAY, MARCH 18 1pm Day after bbq at Ladder Beach MONDAY, MARCH 19 12pm Tank-to-Tank Swim (meet at A.J.’s Restaurant) TBD Go cart racing TBD Classical Music at Sunset @ Wing Beach TUESDAY, MARCH 20 TBD Paintball War Games at Middle Road TBD Sports Clinic presentation by a Pro WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21 11:45am Tank-to-Tank Swim (meet at A.J.’s Restaurant) 6:00pm Evening Hash Run (start/finish at PIC) THURSDAY, MARCH 22 1pm Best Ball Golf Tournament - Lau Lau Golf Resort TBD Sports Clinic presentation - Bike Maintenance by Romy Sison

FRIDAY, MARCH 23 11:45am Tank-to-Tank Swim (meet at A.J.’s Restaurant) 12-5pm Tagaman Registration at PIC 6pm Tagaman Pre-race dinner at the PIC SATURDAY, MARCH 24 3-5am Tagaman Registration at PIC 5:30am Tagaman Triathlon @ Pacific Islands Club (finish at Micro Beach) TBA Tagaman Post-race Awards Dinner and Costume Party SUNDAY, MARCH 25 7am TagaKids Triathlon @ Pacific Islands Club 4:30pm SOPHIA 7k/10k Walk registration open 1pm Post Race Beachside BBQ (Obyan Beach) Schedule TENTATIVE...as of 1/25/07 7 rruunn && bbiikkee 44 ffuunn

XTERRA SAIPAN IS NOT JUST FOR MULTISPORT ATHLETES!

Runners can race in the XTERRA Sunset 5k or 10k Trail Walk/Runs on Friday, March 16 at 5pm, a benefit for the Commonwealth Diabetes Coalition. 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 CDC.

The CDC, in partnership with the Diabetes Prevention & Control Program, was established to improve opportunities, build capacity and enhance wellness benefits for persons with diabetes and those at-risk. The organization promotes healthy, active lifestyles and educates the community about diabetes. Your support is appreciated, and Saipan’s health is worth the effort!

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+ 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 Taro Shirato 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, trail running, transition, nutrition, and more.

The camp runs from 9am to 5pm on March 14-15.

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. Located on the beach, the Pacific Islands Club offers competitors, friends, and family a very special rate of $85 per night 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 Navy Hill. Here they’ll begin a climb to the highest point of the island, Mount Tapochau (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 coral 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 coral 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 Japanese hospital 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 XTERRA World Championships Maui, HI on October 28, 2007

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 Challenged 1 1

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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, Estonia, England, and Germany. They will race for US $20,000 in cash which will be paid to the top seven men & women professional finishers.

XTERRA Saipan Championship Pro Purse (US $20,000) Rank Men Women 1st $2,500 $2,500 2nd $2,000 $2,000 3rd $1,600 $1,600 4th $1,250 $1,250 5th $950 $950 6th $700 $700 7th $500 $500 Double* $500 $500 * See Double details on p. 20 Marceau Bucher CONFIRMED PROS: Men Olivier Marceau (France) - 3-time XTERRA Saipan & XTERRA Europe Champ (‘04 & ‘05). Olympic triathlete. Sascha Wingenfeld (Germany) - Fifth on the XTERRA European Tour last year (5th @ XTERRA UK). Sam Gardner (United Kingdom) - Seventh on the XTERRA European Tour last year (4th @ XTERRA Spain). Taro Shirato (Japan) - Long-time professional triathlete & instructor, placed 3rd at XTERRA Saipan last year. Kyosuke Takei (Japan) - Finished 2nd at XTERRA Japan last year, placed 6th at XTERRA Saipan in 2005. Margus Tamm (Estonia) - Finished 4th at XTERRA Saipan last year, and 2nd in PIC Double competition. Andrew Noble (Australia) - Finished 3rd on XTERRA U.S. Pro Tour last year with 7 top 5 finishes.

Women Renata Bucher (Switzerland) - Two-time XTERRA Saipan and European Tour Champion (2005-06). Jamie Whitmore (California) - Three-time XTERRA Saipan Champ (2002-04), 4-time XTERRA U.S. Champ. Sibylle Matter (Switzerland) - 3rd at XTERRA Worlds last year, 2nd at XTERRA Germany. Olympic triathlete. Julie Dibens (United Kingdom) - ‘06 XTERRA Denmark Champ, Olympic triathlete. Mami Saito (Japan) - Placed 4th last two years at XTERRA Saipan, and finished 8th at XTERRA Worlds. Yuko Sasaki (Japan) - Placed 6th last year at XTERRA Saipan and was 2nd at XTERRA Japan in 2004. Megumi Miyaura (Japan) - Professional swimmer. Won ‘05 Tokyo Triathlon Championship. Yukako Inoue (Japan) - Finished 4th at XTERRA Japan last year. Yasuko Miyazaki (Japan) - Finished 22nd at XTERRA World Championship last year, 3rd in Saipan in 2004. Marion Summerer (Germany) - 2005 XTERRA Amateur World Champion, First race as a pro. PPrroo RRaaccee PPrreevviieeww

MARCEAU THE MEN'S FAVORITE WOMEN'S FIELD THE BEST EVER

For the fourth straight year the XTERRA Saipan Championship has the good fortune of welcoming the great Olivier Marceau to the Northern Mariana Islands. Marceau has been one of the world's best triathletes for more than a decade, finishing in the top 8 at both Olympic triathlon events, winning the 2000 ITU Long Distance World Championship, & placing first at nine XTERRA Championships. This season, despite focusing on the World Cup circuit in order to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Marceau made coming to Saipan a priority. Moreover, he actively recruited other athletes to join him. "For 2007, I propose an unforgettable voyage for you, a mythical race you will never forget. Surely one of the most beautiful that I have done in my 15 years of triathlon throughout the world: XTERRA Saipan," exclaims Marceau. Certainly Marceau, with three straight XTERRA Saipan Championship victories, will be the race favorite on March 17. He will have a diverse set of challengers to contend with, however, with a pair of Europeans - Sascha Wingenfeld from Germany and Sam Gardner from Great Britain, joining a pair of Japanese - Taro Shirato and Kyosuke Takei, and an Estonian - Margus Tamm. Wingenfeld got the better of Gardner at XTERRA Denmark and UK last year, but Gardner placed 4th at XTERRA Spain - four spots ahead of Wingenfeld, in another match-up. Both the Europeans are making their first "voyage" to paradise. Shirato, on the other hand, is making his 6th straight trip to Saipan so course experience is certainly his advantage. Shirato placed 3rd in the men's pro division last year and Tamm - in his first-ever XTERRA, finished a little more than a minute behind him. There are also several amateur men that could make a difference in the overall, including James Kennedy (who was the 2nd place man last year), Gary Mandy (former pro from Hong Kong) and Courtney Cardenas (husband of Jamie Whitmore making his 6th trip to Saipan).

PRETTY IN PINK

Swiss XTERRA phenom Renata Bucher is the poster-girl for this year's XTERRA Saipan Championship. On all the brochures and posters there's this breathtaking image of Bucher, pretty in pink, out-of-the-saddle and climbing up Mt. Tapotchau road with swaying palm trees and turquoise blue water in the background. She makes this exotic place look like all that and more. Maybe, for her sake, she's made it look too good. That's because this year's women's pro field - perhaps lured to the tropical paradise because of this compelling photo - is likely the greatest ever assembled in Saipan. In addition to Bucher, the reigning and two-time Saipan champ, the start list also includes Jamie Whitmore (USA), Sibylle Matter (SUI), Julie Dibens (UK), 14 PPrroo RRaaccee PPrreevviieeww

Marion Summerer (USA), and a host of Japanese pros Mami Saito, Yasuko Miyazaki, Yukako Inoue, Yuko Sasaki, and Megumi Miyaura. Whitmore - the all-time winningest XTERRA athlete who's career got jump- started in Saipan back in 2002 - won this race three years in a row before Bucher came along, and has some serious motivation heading into this one. Back in October a bad crash in Maui dashed her hopes of reclaiming the XTERRA World Title (which she won in 2004), and she also had her four-year string of victories at the USA Championship snapped by McQuaid a month earlier. Nothing would get her back on track faster than a win in Saipan. Sibylle Matter was the only woman on the planet to race in the ITU Triathlon World Championships in Lausanne (placed 27th), the Ironman World Championship in Kona (placed 19th), and the XTERRA World Championship in Maui (placed 3rd) last year. She's never finished lower than 3rd in an XTERRA Championship event, including a runner-up performance at Germany last year and Maui the year before. She's been a force to be reckoned with for some time and competed in the first Olympic triathlon event in Athens in 2000 (placing 36th). Great Britain's Julie Dibens will be racing in just her third XTERRA, but last year in her first two she finished 2nd at XTERRA France and won XTERRA Denmark. Dibens' credentials solidify her as an amazing athlete. She was a 2004 Olympian (finished 30th in the Sydney triathlon), amateur triathlon world champion (1998) and All-American swimmer at Louisiana State University (1997). In her XTERRA victory in Denmark she became the first woman in the history of the sport to beat all the men out of the water, posting the fastest swim by far. Marion Summerer, originally from Germany and now living in Honolulu, is in her first race as a pro. She certainly earned it, as she won the XTERRA Amateur World Championship in 2005. Megumi Miyaura - former professional swimmer from Japan has impressive credentials including wins at the 2005 Tokyo Triathlon Championship and Kanagawa Triathlon Championship. She joins established Japanese XTERRA racers Mami Saito (8th at XTERRA World Championship and 4th in Saipan last year), Yuko Sasaki (6th in Saipan last year), Yasuko Miyazaki (3rd in Saipan in 2004), and Yukako Inoue (4th at XTERRA Japan last year). They'll all be gunning for Bucher, who has dominated this race the past couple years (last year she finished 2nd overall behind only Marceau). On the XTERRA European Tour in 2006 Bucher was perfect with five straight wins in France, Italy, Czech, Spain, and Great Britain. The only time she didn't win was against a stacked field in Maui where she placed 5th. Checking out the female pro start list TEAM Unlimited President Janet Clark may have said it best, "Wow! This is going to be a killer race."

Indeed.

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OLIVIER MARCEAU Cannes, France MARCEAU 2004-’’06 XTERRA Saipan Champion 2004-’’05 XTERRA European Tour Champ

FINAL 2006 XTERRA EUROPEAN TOUR RANK: 7 PERSONAL: Born January 30, 1973. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Sixth year, in first-ever race he won XTERRA Czech in 2002. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Two-time Olympic triathlete - finishing 8th in Athens and 7th in Sydney; 2000 ITU Long Distance World Champion. 2004: Won XTERRA Saipan, Austria, and Germany, was 7th at XTERRA Czech, and third at XTERRA Italy. Also won the Tagaman triathlon in Saipan. Put together the best three races in Europe to claim the XTERRA European Tour Championship. Placed 2d 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. Placed 6th in Tahoe and finished third in the XTERRA U.S. Pro Points Series. Was 7th in Maui. LAST YEAR: Won XTERRA Saipan and the Tagaman for third straight time and was third at XTERRA France, which he helped organize. Led much of the way at the XTERRA World Championship before being passed by Hamish Carter (the 2004 Olympic triathlon gold medalist) with a mile to go in the run. Finished 2nd, just 19 seconds back.

SHIRATO TARO SHIRATO Tokyo, Japan

PERSONAL: Long-time professional triathlete, and now an accomplished coach and the director of XTERRA Japan. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 10th year, competed in the 1998 XTERRA World Championship. SAIPAN PASTS: Placed 4th the past two years, was 5th in 2004 and 2003 and 7th in 2002. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Finished 38th among men’s pros at the XTERRA World Championships in Maui in October, 2006.

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ANDREW NOBLE KYOSUKE TAKEI Gold Coast, Australia Tokyo, Japan

FINAL 2006 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 3 RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Finished 2nd at XTERRA FINAL 2006 XTERRA EUROPEAN TOUR RANK: 27 Japan last year and was 6th at XTERRA Saipan in 2005. PERSONAL: Born August 19, 1965...married to 2002 XTERRA World Champion Candy Angle, living in MA. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Seventh year. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Fifth at 2001 XTERRA World’s, 1996 Duathlon World Champion. 2006: Placed 12th in Temecula, 5th in Richmond, 7th in Milwaukee, DNF’d in Keytone, and was 8th in Tahoe. Placed 8th in XTERRA U.S. Pro Points Series, and was TAKEI 40th (34th pro) at the World Championship. LAST YEAR: Finished 5th at the first race in California, was third in Alabama, fourth in Richmond, 2nd in Milwaukee, 5th in Utah, 4th at XTERRA UK, and 4th in Tahoe. Placed 12th at XTERRA World Championship SAM GARDNER NOBLE Egham, Surrey (England)

PERSONAL: Born April 29, 1975. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Former England National mountain bike hill climb champion and Vitruvian Half Ironman winner in 2005. LAST YEAR: Finished 7th on the XTERRA European Tour last year by placing 11th at XTERRA France, 9th at XTERRA Italy, 4th at XTERRA Spain, 11th at XTERRA Denmark, and 9th at XTERRA United Kingdom. Finished 15th at the XTERRA World Championship in Maui. SASCHA WINGENFELD Germany TAMM RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Finished 5th on the XTERRA European Tour last year by placing 8th at XTERRA Spain, 6th at XTERRA Denmark, 5th at XTERRA United Kingdom, and 8th at XTERRA Germany. MARGUS TAMM Estonia

RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Finished 4th among men’s pros at the 2006 XTERRA Saipan Championship and was also 4th at the Tagaman triathlon a week later. Finished 2nd behind Olivier Marceau in the PIC Double competition. 17 aabboouutt tthhee pprrooss

RENATA BUCHER BUCHER Lucerne, Switzerland 2005&06 XTERRA Saipan Champ 2005&06 XTERRA European Tour Champ 2006 XTERRA France, Italy, Czech, Spain, and UK Champion

FINAL 2006 XTERRA EUROPEAN TOUR RANK: 1 AGE: Born May 30, 1977...attended the University of Zuerich. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Fourth year. 2004: 9th at XTERRA Germany in first-ever XTERRA. 2005: Won Saipan, and was second at Tagaman to win the PIC Double with a combined time of 6:14:11. Finished 3rd at Temecula, won XTERRA Czech (beating three XTERRA World Champs in the process), 3rd at XTERRA Italy, 5th in Richmond, won XTERRA Austria, was second at XTERRA Spain and third at XTERRA Germany. Won the XTERRA European Tour and was 9th in the XTERRA U.S. Pro Points Series. Finished 4th in Maui. LAST YEAR: Won everything she entered starting with XTERRA Saipan on April 1 - for the second straight year - then a clean sweep in Europe with victories at XTERRA France, XTERRA Italy, XTERRA Czech, XTERRA Spain, and XTERRA UK. Easily won her second straight XTERRA European Tour title. Placed 5th at the XTERRA World Championship in Maui. Placed 4th at Tagaman and was 2nd in the PIC Double standings behind Whitmore.

DIBENS JULIE DIBENS Bath, Great Britain 2006 XTERRA Denmark Champion

PERSONAL: Born April 3, 1975 in Salisbury, England...swam for Louisiana State University from 1993- 97...earned a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology and masters degree in exercise physiology. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 2nd year. In her first-ever XTERRA last year she finished 2nd at XTERRA France, and later won XTERRA Denmark. Placed 7th in the XTERRA European Tour. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Was an All-American swimmer in 1997, amateur triathlon world champion in 1998, European Championship bronze medalist in 2000, Olympic qualifier in 2000 and Olympic team member in 2004 (she placed 30th in triathlon event). 18 aabboouutt tthhee pprrooss

JAMIE WHITMORE WHITMORE Somerset, California 4-TTime XTERRA U.S. Pro Series Champ 2004 XTERRA World Champion

FINAL 2006 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 2 PERSONAL: Born May 4, 1976…ran track and cross country at Cal State – Northridge while earning her bachelor of arts degree in criminology. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 7th year. All-time winningest XTERRA athlete, male or female, with 32 career victories. 2002: Won the XTERRA USA and Central Championships, placed second at Half Moon Bay. Also won the 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 XTERRA Saipan and Tagaman, Keystone, Big Bear, Lake Tahoe, Austria, Czech, Italy, Netherlands, and Japan. Finished 2d at Richmond, and third in Germany. MARION SUMMERER Won the XTERRA USA Pro Series Championship for the third straight year and the XTERRA European Tour for the Freiburg, Germany second consecutive season. Picked up her biggest career win at XTERRA World Championship. PERSONAL: Born December 28, 1981...resides in 2005: Finished 2d at XTERRA Saipan, won Tagaman, the Honolulu, Hawaii...this is her first race as a pro. XTERRA West Championship, XTERRA Czech, and XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 3rd year. XTERRA Italy before winning East title in Richmond. Then RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Won the 2005 XTERRA placed second at XTERRA Austria, won the Midwest World Championship Amateur Title while racing in the 20-24 Championship in Milwaukee and finished 2nd in Keystone division. Finished 2nd at XTERRA Nevada and was 7th in before winning the inaugural XTERRA Brazil the 25-59 division at XTERRA Worlds last year. Championship, and then her second 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 World Championship. LAST YEAR: Finished 2nd at XTERRA Saipan and 2nd at Tagaman but won the PIC Double with a combined time of 6:09:17, just 27 seconds faster than Bucher. Won the first US Pro Series race in Calif., was 2d in Alabama, won in Richmond, Mexico, & Milwaukee, was second in Utah, then won in Japan. Placed 5th in Tahoe, yet still finished as top American in XTERRA U.S. Pro Series for 5th straight year. Did not finish in Maui after a crash on the bike.

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SIBYLLE MATTER Bern, Switzerland MATTER 2005 XTERRA Spain Champion

FINAL 2006 XTERRA EUROPEAN TOUR RANK: 13 PERSONAL: Born September 2, 1973 2004: Finished 3rd at XTERRA Austria, 6th at XTERRA Germany and 10th in European Tour standings. Placed 6th at the XTERRA World Championship. 2005: Placed 3rd at XTERRA Czech, 11th at XTERRA Austria, won XTERRA Spain, and was 5th at XTERRA Germany. Finished 3rd in XTERRA European Tour stand- ings and 2nd in Maui - just 44 seconds behind the winner. LAST YEAR: Placed 2nd at XTERRA Germany and 3rd at the XTERRA World Championship. MAMI SAITO Kawasaki, Japan YUKAkO INOUE XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Finished 4th at XTERRA Saipan Tokyo, Japan the past two years and was 8th at the XTERRA World Championship. PERSONAL: Born September 22, 1973. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 2nd race, placed 4th at XTERRA SAITO Japan last year. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Finished 4th at Ironman Malaysia last year and was 8th this year. She competes on the SAITOITU Circuit and finished the 2006 Ironman World Championship in Hawaii in 11:14:45 (45 of 55 pro women).

YASUKO MIYAZAKI Setagaya, Japan

XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 6th year. YUKO SASAKI SAIPAN PASTS: Finished 6th in 2005, third in 2004 and Japan 5th in 2002. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Placed 22nd at XTERRA SAIPAN PASTS: Placed 6th last year, 7th in 2005, and won World Championship last year, and was 30th women over- her age group (20-24) as an amateur in 2004. all in 2005. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Finished 2nd at XTERRA Japan in 2004. MIYAZAKI MEGUMI MIYAURA Yokohama, Japan

RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: former professional swimmer with impressive credentials including wins at the 2005 Tokyo Triathlon Championship and Kanagawa Triathlon Championship 20 oolliivviieerr aanndd jjaammiiee

Saipan holds a special place in the hearts of two incredible, world-class athletes... 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 XTERRA athlete. Olivier is back for his fourth year, Jamie is back for the sixth time! Here is what Olivier has to said 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 atmos- phere, whatever the results you always enjoy your race. I really like the spirit and to have fun while I'm racing. Saipan is amazing…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 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 pay- check, 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. “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!

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The Pacific Islands Club “Double” is awarded to the man and woman with the fastest combined 2007 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, 48 athletes did both races. Winners receive $500 and 7-nights at the Pacific Islands Club including two Gold Cards good for three meals a day. Last year two-time Olympian Olivier Marceau won for the third straight year while Jamie Whitmore reclaimed her title from the inaugural season (Renata Bucher won in 2005). Marceau at Tagaman James Kennedy of Shanghai, China won the men's amateur double while Saipan's own Mieko Motoyoshi took home women's amateur honors in 7:49:27 last year.

2006 PIC DOUBLE RESULTS

First Name Last Name COUNTRY XTERRA Tagaman Combined Olivier Marceau CANNES, FRANCE 2:35:06 2:52:24 5:27:30 Margus Tamm TALLINN, ESTONIA 3:02:58 2:59:36 6:02:34 James Kennedy SHANGHAI, CHINA 2:53:52 3:10:42 6:04:34 Jamie Whitmore SOMERSET, CALIF. 2:56:02 3:13:15 6:09:17 Renata Bucher SWITZERLAND 2:49:00 3:20:44 6:09:44 Stuart Smith SAIPAN 3:14:00 3:02:43 6:16:43 Courtney Cardenas SOMERSET, CALIF. 3:06:21 3:29:05 6:35:26 Arnoud Garderen NETHERLANDS 3:21:14 3:16:17 6:37:31 Fabiola Corona MEXICO 3:20:36 3:24:02 6:44:38 Noriaki Ito NAKAHARAKU, JAPAN 3:38:03 3:09:49 6:47:52 Aaron Fitzpatrick SAIPAN 3:29:40 3:18:16 6:47:56 Paul Chetwynd CHINO, JAPAN 3:26:57 3:30:03 6:57:00 Ryan Decook MICHIGAN 4:03:04 3:06:18 7:09:22 Tyce Mister SAIPAN 3:35:50 3:36:24 7:12:14 Dirk Sharer SAIPAN 3:55:26 3:23:28 7:18:54 Kieran Daly SAIPAN 3:50:29 3:31:55 7:22:24 Aaron Sanchez MEXICO 3:42:39 3:49:22 7:32:01 Nate Hawley SAIPAN 3:52:33 3:41:35 7:34:08 John Frias HAGATNA, GUAM 3:52:07 3:46:00 7:38:07 Sergey Makarenko KHABAROVSK, RUSSIA 4:00:31 3:38:48 7:39:19 Butch Sublemente SAIPAN 3:51:30 3:51:53 7:43:23 Mieko Motoyoshi SAIPAN 3:55:39 3:53:48 7:49:27 Ronald Villafria SAIPAN 4:11:38 3:46:31 7:58:09 Florian Braig SAIPAN 4:09:05 4:04:46 8:13:51 Rob Carruth SAIPAN 4:04:33 4:14:39 8:19:12 Kevin Carey SAIPAN 4:33:42 3:58:54 8:32:36 Lewis Tenorio SAIPAN 5:06:24 3:58:06 9:04:30 Brad Ruszala SAIPAN 5:12:23 4:15:03 9:27:26 Manny Sitchon SAIPAN 5:09:21 4:19:02 9:28:23 22 22000044-0-00055 PPIICC RReessuullttss

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

2004 PIC DOUBLE RESULTS Name Division Hometown XTERRA Tagaman Combined Olivier Marceau Pro Vallauois, France 2:33:20 2:42:57 5:16:17 Dominic Gillen Pro Roxbury, CT 3:09:21 2:46:41 5:56:02 Jamie Whitmore Pro Elk Grove, CA 3:04:31 3:03:01 6:07:32 Courtney Cardenas 25 - 29 Elk Grove, CA 3:00:53 3:07:47 6:08:40 Taro Shirato Pro Tokyo, Japan 3:04:49 3:11:09 6:15:58 Stephan Samoyloff 35 - 39 Saipan, MP 3:16:50 3:09:55 6:26:45 Tyce Mister 35 - 39 Saipan, MP 3:23:22 3:22:17 6:45:39 Julian Coopernurse 30 - 34 Sinajana, GU 3:24:20 3:27:32 6:51:52 Jude Baker 30 - 34 Upper Tumon, GU 3:42:43 3:14:11 6:56:54 Yasuko Miyazaki Pro Setagaya-Ku, Japan 3:49:35 3:17:45 7:07:20 Mario Deicher 40 - 44 Switzerland 3:37:59 3:32:20 7:10:19 Russ Quinn 35 - 39 Saipan, MP 3:58:01 3:25:12 7:23:13 Luke Nickerman 20 - 24 Saipan, MP 3:57:09 3:34:49 7:31:58 Nate Hawley 30 - 34 Saipan, MP 3:59:56 3:40:52 7:40:48 Peter Froese 35 - 39 Saipan, MP 3:59:58 3:46:24 7:46:22 Dirk Sharer 40 - 44 Saipan, MP 4:30:49 3:24:04 7:54:53 Dawn Hammermeister 35 - 39 Saipan, FM 4:04:03 3:59:16 8:03:19 Christopher Fryling 35 - 39 Saipan, MP 4:09:17 3:56:29 8:05:46 Donna Baker 35 - 39 Upper Tumon, GU 4:27:59 3:51:20 8:19:19 Michael Johnson 45 - 49 Saipan, MP 5:01:14 3:55:59 8:57:13 Florian Braig 50 - 54 Saipan, MP 4:32:14 4:28:08 9:00:22 Jack Kabiriel 25 - 29 Saipan, MP 4:51:57 4:11:03 9:03:00 23 22000066 rraaccee rreevviieeww

A SWISS SWEEP IN SAIPAN...

SAIPAN (April 1, 2006) – On yet another magical day in paradise Swiss triathletes Renata Bucher and Olivier Marceau conquered the coral and jungle covered course faster than anyone 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 200 competitors representing 13 countries. A year after stunning the XTERRA world by coming out of virtually nowhere to upset Jamie Whitmore – winner of the first three races here in the Northern Mariana Islands – Bucher defended her crown and solidified her spot at the top shelf in Saipan. “I was very nervous,” said Bucher, the reigning XTERRA European Tour Champion. “I trained in Australia for two months with Olivier. I went hard, tried to improve my swim and did a lot of running. Sometimes it was not fun, but I had to remind myself that I’m doing this for Saipan.” The hard work certainly paid off as she improved her time in all three disciplines to post a women’s record time of 2:49:00, good for second place overall behind only Marceau. On the mountain bike, she once again amazed spectators and fellow competitors alike by climbing out of the saddle nearly the entire ascent. Bucher’s climbing prowess happened at an idyllic spot for the media, who were parked at the top of a swift curving uphill on a coral road with an unobstructed view for 300-yards. First came Jamie, riding swiftly. Then came Renata, standing and blazing a trail in pursuit. When she passed Whitmore, it was like she was dancing – reminiscent of how the great Ned Overend would climb up Keystone Mountain. “I expected nothing less of Renata, she caught me at the same spot as last year,” said Whitmore. “I caught back up to her on the next descent and she pulled away again on the next few climbs. I kept hoping for more descents.” It couldn’t get downhill enough for Whitmore, who entered the bike-to-run transition about one minute-and-a-half back. “Going into the last technical section I was really trying to fly through to make up time and just kinda nicked a tree and took some thorns along with me,” said Whitmore. “Other than that I thought I was doing fine, but when I went into transi- tion they told me how far back I was I thought ‘geez, I lost that much time’. Fact is, I had a great race; she just had a better one. For crying out loud she out-split every guy on the bike except Marceau.” “Ever since last year I couldn’t wait to come back to Saipan,” said Bucher. “I have such a good time here, not just the race, the whole two weeks. Everyday with the sun and the fun.” MARCEAU MARCEAU MARCEAU Two-time Swiss Olympic triathlete Olivier Marceau (33, living in Cannes, France) made it three-in-a-row in Saipan. His biggest competitor was himself, and Mother Nature. “Today I tried to go hard but not to hard, to keep a good pace on the bike and the run and not to push myself too hard but just enough to maintain a good lead,” said Marceau, who had the fastest swim, bike, and run of the day. “The sea was a bit rough, the bike was very hot, and the run was very technical. You had to be very careful not to twist an ankle or to crash, and that’s what I did on the downhill on both the bike and during the run. I was very careful.” Marceau came out of the water nearly three minutes ahead of Japan’s Taro Shirato, and five minutes in front of his most formidable opponent – Ryan DeCook. DeCook, the Michigan-native racing in his first event as a pro, was having a great race and was in second place and climbing strong before taking a spill on the bike portion that left his bike a little twisted, which in turn caused a more severe wreck that all but ended his chances of victory. “Such a beautiful stay for me, 10 days at the Pacific Islands Club, two races, good atmosphere, friendly people from everywhere,” said Marceau. “It’s like family coming here for me, and it’s good training too. I never want to miss Saipan.” The top overall amateur male was James Kennedy of Shanghai, China with a time of 2:53:52 and the top amateur female was Mieko Motoyoshi of Saipan in 3:55:39. The winning relay team was comprised of Hideo Hatano (swim), Norimasa Kondo (bike), and Kengo Kuroda (run) with a time of 3:23:22 – the best of 10 teams in the championship race. 24 22000066 rreessuullttss

2006 XTERRA Saipan Championship Race Results

PRO MEN Place Name Age Hometown Final Time Purse 1 Olivier Marceau 33 Cannes, France 2:35:06 $2,200 2 Yu Yumoto 28 Chiba, Japan 2:55:28 $1,700 3 Taro Shirato 39 Tokyo, Japan 3:01:34 $1,200 4 Margus Tamm 38 Tallin, Estonia 3:02:58 $800 5 Noriaki Ito 47 Nakaharaku, Japan 3:38:03 $600 6 Ryan DeCook 26 Rochester, MI 4:03:04 $400

PRO WOMEN Place Name Age Hometown Final Time Purse 1 Renata Bucher 28 Lucerne, Switzerland 2:49:00 $2,200 2 Jamie Whitmore 29 Somerset, California 2:56:02 $1,700 3 Monique Sawicki 26 Calimesa, CA 3:11:11 $1,200 4 Mami Saito 28 Kawasaki, Japan 3:16:36 $800 5 Fabiola Corona 26 Guadalajara, Mexico 3:20:36 $600 6 Yuko Sasaki 26 Tsukuba, Japan 3:49:00 $400

Fastest swim: Olivier Marceau (21:58), Mami Saito (24:40) Fastest bike: Olivier Marceau (1:19:42), Renata Bucher (1:24:33) Fastest run: Olivier Marceau (53:26), Renata Bucher (54:36) *Also qualifying for the XTERRA World Championship XTERRA SAIPAN AMATEUR CHAMPIONS (FEMALE) Division Name Time Hometown DivisionName Time Hometown 25 - 29 Ayano Kawai 4:13:56 Kobe, Japan 25 - 29 Mieko Motoyoshi 3:55:39 Saipan, CNMI 25 - 29 Gabriel Brown 4:02:49 Santa Barbara, CA 30 - 34 Tara Tydingco 4:35:25 Hagatna, Guam 30 - 34 Arnoud Garderen 3:21:14 Netherlands 35 - 39 Yoshimi Yasue 5:36:29 Tokyo, Japan 30 - 34 Aaron Fitzpatrick 3:29:40 Saipan, CNMI 40 - 44 Dawn Hammermeister 4:02:58 Saipan, CNMI 35 - 39 Sue Knecht 5:59:46 Saipan, CNMI 45 - 49 Susan Seay 4:10:00 Tamuning, Guam 35 - 39 Tae Yoong Kim 3:19:11 Kita, Japan 35 - 39 Hideto Sato 3:19:30 Japan XTERRA SAIPAN AMATEUR CHAMPIONS (MALE) 40 - 44 Rumi Takahashi 4:33:54 Tokyo, Japan DivisionName Time Hometown 40 - 44 Arthur Guerrero 3:33:37 Hagatna, Guam 15 - 19 Sota Katayama 3:23:35 Kawasaki, Japan 40 - 44 Kenji Kawai 3:43:29 Gifu, Japan 20 - 24 Ryoichi Higashino 3:41:56 Shiga, Japan 45 - 49 Paul Chetwynd 3:26:57 Chino, Japan 25 - 29 James Kennedy 2:53:52 Shanghai, China 30 - 34 Courtney Cardenas 3:06:21 Somerset, California 35 - 39 Daniel Speight 3:13:45 Aichi, Japan 40 - 44 Sang Young Lee 3:26:57 Seoul, South Korea 45 - 49 Stuart Smith 3:14:00 Saipan, CNMI 50 - 54 Keiji Matsuba 3:31:38 Gifu, Japan 55 - 59 Florian Braig 4:09:05 Saipan, CNMI 60 - 64 Ryuhei Yamada 4:14:47 Gifu, Japan Military John O'Malley 4:36:21 Kaneohe, Hawaii

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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 28 tthhee ffiirrsstt yyeeaarr

In 2002 Canada’s Mike Vine and Jamie Whitmore of the U.S. dominated the competition. 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. Fukui led the race through the first 20-kilometers of the mountain bike portion before Vine passed him to take the lead for good. 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. Karen Simontachhi of California, who combined the race in Saipan with her honeymoon, was the first female amateur to finish. 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.

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 29 UU..SS.. SSeerriieess RRaacciinngg

The XTERRA America Tour 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 September 30. This year there are more than 50 races heading into 32 states across the country, as well as Guam and Saipan. It marks the 11th 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, 2007. 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 XTERRA Points Series (XPS) races and XTERRA Championship Series (XCS) 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 XTERRA Championship event, only the best finish counts at full points. Any other finishes earn points at the same rate as the XTERRA Points Series races. There are two points systems:

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 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 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.

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+ CA TOTAL Male 2 5 10 10 97432222 58 Female 2 4 10 9753222 2 48 TOTAL4920191612754424 106 30 2007 Schedule

DATE Race Location Region 3/11 XTERRA Guam Piti, GU SW 3/17 XTERRA Saipan - The Crown Jewel Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands SW 4/1 XTERRA Miami North Miami, FL SE 4/1 XTERRA REAL Granite Bay, CA SW 4/21 XTERRA Arizona Xtreme Mesa, AZ SW 4/28 XTERRA Ft. Yargo Winder, GA SE 4/28 XTERRA Gator Terra Ruston, LA SC 4/29 XTERRA Castaic Castaic, CA SW 5/6 XTERRA Uwharrie Uwharrie, NC SE 5/20 XTERRA Patanella's King of the Hill Lebanon, NJ MA 5/20 XTERRA Last Stand Augusta, MI NC 5/20 XTERRA Dirty Canyon Lakes, TX SC 5/20 XTERRA West Championship Temecula, CA SW 5/27 XTERRA Smith Lake Fort Bragg, NC SE 6/3 XTERRA ACE Big Canyon Oak Hill, WV MA 6/3 XTERRA Deuces Wild Show Low, AZ SW 6/9 XTERRA Eureka Springs Eureka Springs, AR SC 6/10 XTERRA Trimax Mifflinburg, PA MA 6/10 XTERRA Southeast Championship Pelham, AL SE 6/16 XTERRA Buffalo Creek Buffalo Creek, CO MT 6/17 XTERRA East Championship Richmond, VA MA 6/23 XTERRA Dawg Dayz Little Rock, AR SC 6/23 XTERRA Solstice La Grande, OR NW 6/23 XTERRA Tahoe City Tahoe City, CA SW 6/24 XTERRA Garnet Hill North River, NY NE 6/24 XTERRA Torn Shirt Brighton, MI NC 7/8 XTERRA M2Xtreme Ellicottville, NY NE 7/8 XTERRA Lock 4 Blast Gallatin, TN SE 7/14 XTERRA Iron Creek Spearfish, SD MT 7/15 XTERRA Thompson Lake Poland, ME NE 7/15 XTERRA EX2 Flintstone, MD MA 7/15 XTERRA Midwest Mudder Lawrence, KS SC 7/15 XTERRA Vashon Island Vashon Island, WA NW 7/21 XTERRA Hammerman Anchorage, AK NW 7/22 XTERRA Wild Horse Creek Bozeman, MT MT 7/28 XTERRA DINO New Castle New Castle, IN NC 7/29 XTERRA Sky High Grafton, NY NE 7/29 XTERRA First Coast Jacksonville, FL SE 7/29 Crested Butte Bank XTERRA Crested Butte, CO MT 8/5 XTERRA Appalachia Indiana, PA MA 8/5 XTERRA Panther Creek Morristown, TN SE 8/5 XTERRA Camp Eagle Rocksprings, TX SC 8/5 XTERRA Snow Valley Running Springs, CA SW 8/12 Long Trail XTERRA STOAKED Hanover, NH NE 8/12 XTERRA Iron Will Jonesboro, AR SC 8/18 XTERRA DINO Logansport Logansport, IN NC 8/18 XTERRA Mountain Championship Ogden/Snowbasin, UT MT 8/19 XTERRA Charlottesville Charlottesville, VA MA 8/25 XTERRA Mountainman Kaaawa, HI (Oahu) SW 8/26 XTERRA Schiff Scout Wading River, NY NE 8/26 XTERRA Blackhawk Muskegon, MI NC 8/26 XTERRA Wild Ride McCall, ID NW 9/2 XTERRA Onteora Livingston Manor, NY NE 9/29 XTERRA Nevada Lake Tahoe, NV 9/30 XTERRA USA Championship Lake Tahoe, NV 10/28 XTERRA World Championship Makena, Maui, Hawaii

XTERRA Points Series Races (XPS) / XTERRA Championship Series Races (XCS) in BOLD Schedule subject to change. As of 1/5/07. Info: www.xterraplanet.com or call toll-free to 877-751-8880 22000077 gglloobbaall ttoouurr

2007 SCHEDULE Tentative as of 1/6/07

Date Event Location 2/17 XTERRA Argentina Championship Cordoba 3/17 XTERRA Saipan Championship Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands 4/14 XTERRA New Zealand Championship Rotorua 4/14 XTERRA South Africa Championship Grabouw, Western Cape 5/20 XTERRA West Championship* Temecula, CA 5/26 XTERRA Italy^ (European Championship) Sardinia 6/10 XTERRA Southeast Championship* Pelham, AL 6/17 XTERRA East Championship* Richmond, VA 7/7 XTERRA Czech Championship^ Hluboka nad Vltavou 8/18 XTERRA Denmark Championship^ Arhus, Jutland 8/18 XTERRA Mountain Championship* Ogden, UT 8/25 XTERRA Brazil Championship Ilhabela 8/25 XTERRA Japan Championship Marunuma 8/25 XTERRA Austria Championship^ Carinthia 9/8 XTERRA Germany Championship^ Titisee 9/8 XTERRA Costa Rica Championship TBD 9/16 XTERRA UK Championship^ Neath Valley, Wales 9/23 XTERRA France^ Mandelieu 9/30 XTERRA USA Championship* Incline Village, NV 10/28 XTERRA World Championship Makena, Maui, HI * XTERRA America Tour ^ XTERRA European Tour

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Following an action-packed racing season that will span 16 countries with more than 100 events, XTERRA will host its 12th XTERRA World Championship in Maui on October 28th. 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, New Zealand, Austria, Italy, France, Denmark, England, Japan, Brazil, Costa Rica, Argentina, and the United States. The race course, considered one of XTERRA's toughest and most grueling, consists of a 1.5-kilometer rough- water 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 600 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 Hamish Carter of New Zealand captured the men’s championship and Melanie McQuaid from Canada won her unprecedented third world championship. 33 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, Tinian and Rota. 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. 36 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 inaugural Tour O' Hawaii. opportunity and activity." He recalls bringing Nicholas and "Now that was a great event," said Nicholas - now the VP of 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 2007 more than 100 events will be held in 16 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 13-70, 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 2007: Now more than 100 races worldwide, and new global stops in Argentina and Costa Rica.

TEAM TV

Since 1990 TEAM Unlimited has produced more than 250 television shows resulting in three regional Emmy’s and 30 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.

TELEVISION EVENTS AND MARKETING, INC. 720 IWILEI ROAD, Suite 290, Honolulu, HI 96817 Phone: 808.521.4322 Fax: 808.538.0314 38