2016 PRESS GUIDE PRESS 2016 WELCOME FROM THE NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT

On behalf of the NSW Government, welcome to the NSW South Coast for the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championships.

The NSW Government is proud to be supporting the event through our tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Over the next two days, the region will host some of the world’s best and toughest off-road triathletes on a spectacular local course at Callala Beach.

The NSW South Coast is a playground for surfers, cyclists, runners, and nature lovers alike, and is a fitting location to host this extreme triathlon event.

I encourage all visitors and competitors to take some time to experience everything this incredible region has to offer. From natural beauty to world class food and wine and great accommodation and shopping, there really is something for everyone.

I wish all competitors and their supporters the best of luck for the 2016 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championships.

Shelley Hancock Member for South Coast

The XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Presenting sponsors include John Paul Mitchell Systems, the world’s largest privately owned professional salon hair care company, Outrigger Resorts - one of the largest and fastest growing privately-held leisure lodging, retail and hospitality companies in the Asia-Pacific and Oceania regions, 220 Triathlon Australia/NZ, IGA Stores, the Forestry Corporation of NSW, and XTERRA Wetsuits & Boards Australia. We’d also like to extend a special thanks to the Callala RSL and Country Club, South Coast United Mountain Bikers, and the Shoalhaven.

2 INTRODUCTION TO XTERRA

In 1996 mountain biking and triathlon met in a duel of the fittest on the island of Maui. The race consisted of a rough water swim, a mountain bike race, and a trail run. It represented a bold new racing format that attracted outdoor enthusiasts, adventure seekers, mountain bikers and triathletes. The mountain bikers brought their laid-back style and bold self-assurance. The triathletes brought their hard-core training and avid dedication. They soon discovered a common “Live More” spirit that pulled them together. The relationship flourished into an internationally- recognized brand called XTERRA, and today there are tens of thousands of athletes not only taking part in the races, but truly living the lifestyle.

A fitting representation of this “XTERRA Tribe” - several hundred athletes from around the world – will gather at Callala Beach in pristine Jervis Bay, New South Wales; and on Saturday, April 23 to put their mental and physical toughness up against Mother Nature at the 3rd annual XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship triathlon.

A television show will be produced for national & international distribution.

XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship TABLE OF CONTENTS Pro Purse ($50,000 AUD) Rank Men Women Media Information 4 st 1 $10,000 $10,000 Schedule of Events 5 2nd $6,000 $6,000 About the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship 6-9 3rd $3,500 $3,500 Course Facts 10-11 2016 Elite Start Lists 12-13 4th $2,000 $2,000 2016 Elite Profiles 14-26 th 5 $1,250 $1,250 2015-16 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Tour 27 6th $750 $750 2014-15 XTERRA Asian Tour Standings 28 7th $550 $550 2016 XTERRA World Tour Schedule 29 2015 and 2014 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Race Recaps 30-37 8th $400 $400 Celebrating 20 Years of XTERRA 38-39 th 9 $300 $300 About TEAM Unlimited and Elite Energy Events 40 10th $250 $250 Appendix: Course Maps / 2015 Results / XTERRA Story 41+

For further information email Trey Garman at [email protected] MEDIA INFORMATION

The XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship press guide was designed to provide the media with useful information about the 2016 race, the pros competing in it, and XTERRA in general. Below are additional items of interest:

- For credentials email Trey Garman at [email protected] or call 0011-1-808-216-8606 (within Australia) - TEAM Unlimited will record full race results and distribute after the event. - 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. - A press pass is required on race day for admittance to finish area. - Log on to XTERRAAsiaPacific.com and our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/XTERRAplanet for updated race information and coverage. - Professional, high-resolution images from the race will be available to the media after the race. Contact Trey Garman with photo requests.

How to Cover XTERRA: Please note that XTERRA is produced with the cooperation of private landowners and we respect their privacy. The following outlines the access policy for this year’s race: - Press may ride the bike course on their own bikes - Access to the bike course on race day is provided by chauffeured press van/SUV ONLY. - Space is limited so you must reserve your seat in advance.

DIRECT MEDIA INQUIRIES AND REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO Trey Garman / 0011 1 808 216 8606 (cell) / [email protected] TEAM Unlimited - 720 Iwilei Road, Suite 290, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817

4 2016 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS All events at Callala RSL Country Club unless otherwise noted // Callala Beach, Jervis Bay, New South Wales

Thursday, April 21 All Day Bike and 21/5K Trail Run race courses open for pre-ride/pre-run

Friday, April 22 Race Village/Transition/Finish – Callala RSL & Country Club All Day Bike and tri/21K and 5K run courses open for practice 2pm – 5.30pm Registration/Race Pack Collection open – all events 4pm XTERRA University Clinic, presented by Paul Mitchell with Ben Allen and Jacqui Slack (inside RSL) 5:30pm XTERRA triathlon pre-race briefing and introduction of elite athletes (inside RSL)

Saturday, April 23 Race Start and Xticer T1 – Callala Beach (end of Callala Beach Road) Race Village/Transition/Finish – Callala RSL & Country Club 6:00am-12:00pm Registration/race pack collection/body marking open 6:00-7:00am Xticer T2 (bike/run) open for setup at RSL 6:00am – 8:00am Sprint Transition open for bike racking & run setup 6:45am Xticer athlete briefing at RSL transition area 7:00am Xticer athletes walk to T1 at beach with bike and swim gear 7:00-7:25am Xticer T1 (swim/bike) open for bike racking at beach 7:30am Xticer start 7:45am Sprint race briefing at RSL transition 8:00am Sprint athletes walk to beach start 8:30am XTERRA Sprint start 9:30 – 11:00am Championship transition open for bike racking & run setup at RSL 10:00am Xticer T1 bag gear pickup at RSL transition 10:45am Championship race briefing at RSL transition 11:00am Championship athletes walk to beach start 11:30am XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship start 12:30pm Kids Transition open for setup 12:30pm Sprint T1 opens at RSL for swim/bike pick up 12:45pm Kids Biathlon race briefing at RSL transition 1pm XTERRA Kids Biathlon start 1:30pm Sprint T1 closed for swim/bike gear pick up 2pm Kids Transition closed for gear pickup 3:30pm Cut off at T2 (athletes will not be allowed to start the run after this time) 3:30pm All XTERRA triathlon races award ceremonies 3:30pm Championship transition open for swim/bike gear pick up 5:30pm Race closed / championship transition closed for bike/swim gear pick up 7:30-11:00pm After Party and race highlight video, Callala RSL Country Club

Sunday, April 24 Callala RSL & Country Club 7am – 8.30am Registration/race pack open 8:55am 2nd Relay Runner meet at pre-race briefing area for transport to change over location 9am XTERRA Dirty Half Marathon & Relay (21K) start 9:10am XTERRA 5K Trail Run start 10:30am XTERRA 5K Trail Run Awards 11:30am XTERRA Dirty Half Marathon & Relay Awards 5 XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP OVERVIEW

Some of the biggest names in multisport are headed to New South Wales, Australia for the third annual XTERRA Asia- Pacific Championship triathlon and accompanying trail running races at Callala Beach in Jervis Bay on April 23-24, 2016.

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres said: “NSW is Australia’s adventure capital, with so many fantastic landscapes and opportunities for athletes to test their skills and endurance. The South Coast is a won- derful location for XTERRA and I wish the athletes the best of luck.”

The main event starts with a 1.5-kilometer swim at Callala Beach, follows with 30-kilometers of mountain biking on trails through the Nowra State Forest, and finishes with a grueling 10-kilometer trail run that traverses Australia’s famous beaches and bushland.

As the most prestigious event in the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Tour that includes championship races in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Tahiti, and Saipan – the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship race boasts the second-largest prize purse in off-road triathlon at $50,000 AUD, and will be filmed and edited into a sports special to be broadcast on ESPN International and through- out the U.S. via national syndication and Fox Sports Network.

The event will also serve as XTERRA’s Australian Championship – giving Aussies the chance to grab this very special national title – and award 50 qualifying spots into the XTERRA World Championship in Maui to the top performers. The off-road sports festival weekend also includes a sprint distance off-road triathlon, Xticer beginner triathlon, trail runs, and relay team competitions attracting more than 600 competitors of all ages.

There are 25 pros from 10 countries on the start list including the defending XTERRA Asia-Pacific Champion and XTERRA World Championship runner-up Braden Currie.

“I am looking forward to the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship and a style of racing I know well and enjoy,” said the 29-year-old from Wanaka, New Zealand.

6 XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP OVERVIEW

There are several strong contenders looking to take the title Champion Joe Miller, Korea’s lone off-road elite Kaon Cho, away from Currie, highlighted by the current XTERRA Asian Malaysia’s best off-roader Barry Lee, Hong Kong’s own Tour and XTERRA South Africa Champion Bradley Weiss. Jason Hsieh, and Hayden Wilde, who at just 18-years-old is “Very excited to be heading back after missing this event in the youngest elite in the field (and winner of the 15-19 2015,” said the 27-year-old from Stellenbosch, South Africa. division XTERRA World Championship last year). “Training has been going really well and after a solid start to the 2016 season I am looking forward to testing my form The women’s elite race will be equally exciting with reigning against some of the world’s best.” ETU European Champion Renata Bucher (who is also a 4x XTERRA European Tour Champion), XTERRA USA bronze Also on the start line is the reigning ITU Cross Triathlon medalist Catherine Sterling, 2016 XTERRA Saipan Australian National Champion Ben Allen, a 17-time winner Champion Carina Wasle, 2016 XTERRA Philippines on XTERRA World Tour, the reigning XTERRA Saipan Champion Lizzie Orchard, reigning ITU Cross Triathlon Champion Brodie Gardner, 2015 XTERRA Sweden Australian National Champion Penny Hosken, reigning Champion Sam Osborne, 2016 XTERRA Motatapu XTERRA Australia Champion Jessica Simpson, and Champion Olly Shaw, XTERRA Philippines National reigning XTERRA Asian Tour Champion Jacqui Slack. 7 QUICK FACTS ON THE XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP

WHAT IS XTERRA: The world’s premier off-road triathlon, combining a 1.5-kilometer (1-mile) swim at Callala Beach … a 30-kilometer (18.6-miles) mountain bike that traverses Australia’s famous native “bush” in the Nowra State Forest, and a 10-kilometer (6.2-miles) run through unyielding terrain. Top pros finish in roughly two-and-a-half hours.

WHO RACES: Hundreds of amateur and professional triathletes from around the world ages 15-to-70.

WHEN: The XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship starts at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 23.

WHERE: Callala RSL Country Club at Callala Beach / Jervis Bay, New South Wales

WHY: The XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship is the marquee event on XTERRA Asia-Pacific Tour that includes races in New Zealand, Philippines, Australia, Tahiti, Saipan, Korea, Japan, and Malaysia. The concept is to provide a bona- fide Asia-Pacific Championship title for amateur and pro off-road triathletes. The event will double as the XTERRA Australia Championship. For pros there is $50,000 in prize money at stake. The weekend will also include a sprint distance off-road triathlon, beginner tri called the Xticer, trail runs, kids biathlon, clinics, and social gatherings.

XTERRA BACKGROUND: This is year 21 for the sport of XTERRA. The first XTERRA race was held on November 3, 1996 on the Hawaiian Island of Maui with just 123 participants and was televised on Fox Sports Net. The demand for the sport of XTERRA exploded thereafter and there are now more than 50,000 participants from more than 40 countries worldwide.

1996: American Jimmy Riccitello and Australian win inaugural event in Wailea, Maui. 1999: 11 races across the United States, 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 XTERRA in Australia - Jody Mielke and Paul Amey win the XTERRA Australia Championship 2011: The first year of the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Tour with races in the Philippines, Saipan, Guam, and Japan 2014: The inaugural XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship race in NSW. 2016: Now more than 300 events in 30 countries worldwide

TELEVISION: The XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship race will be filmed and edited into a half-hour show for international distribution. The 2016 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship shows will be broadcast on ESPN International stations in Australia and other countries, as well as throughout the U.S. via national syndication & Fox Sports Network.

Online: www.facebook.com/XTERRAplanet / www.xterracontent.com / www.xterraplanet.com / www.xterraasiapacific.com

8 XTERRA APAC WEEKEND EVENTS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Beyond just the main event, the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship weekend will feature fun for the whole family. New South Wales’ Jervis Bay is the ultimate destination to relax, unwind and recharge your batteries. This majestic stretch of coastline offers spectacular scenery and plenty of adventure. The Race Village at the Callala RSL is a great place to hang out and watch the transitions and finish line activity. In between all of the race action, there will be music, commentary, a BBQ, exhibition tents and more...

XTERRA UNIVERSITY: Learn the XTERRA disciplines of swimming, mountain biking, and trail running, sharpen your skills with instruction on nutrition, Callala Beach course specifics, racing tips, winning strategies, and get the inside scoop on the Asia-Pacific Championship race straight from XTERRA pros Ben Allen and Jacqui Slack.

XTERRA SPRINT RACE: The XTERRA Sprint race is twice the fun at half the distance so you can start celebrating sooner! It combines a 750m ocean swim, with a 14K mountain bike and 5K trail run.

XTERRA XTICER: New this year, the “Xticer” distance gives newbies a chance to try our off-road format at a very doable distance. Give it a try! You’ll find the off-road is a ton of fun. 200m swim, 7K mtb, 2K trail run.

KIDS BIATHLON: XTERRA welcomes kids 7-11 to join in the festivities of the Asia-Pacific weekend in this non-competitive event (un-timed) where everyone earns a medal. No swim, just a 2k bike and 500m run

XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP: The championship combines a 1.5K ocean swim, 30K mountain bike and 10K trail run. Racers compete against other athletes in their same division, including Pro/elite, Age Group men and women – 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65+(W), 65-69(M), 70-74(M), 75+(M), challenged and relay teams. Top 3 in each age group division earn awards, plus random prize drawing for 2 full XTERRA Wetsuits. Australian residents racing in the championship event are eligible for the XTERRA Australia Championship title – pro and all age group divisions. It’s an official 2016 XTERRA World Championship Qualifier with 50 total slots to the top finishers in each division. Also, the fastest pro and age group male and female finishers (combined time) in the XTERRA New Zealand (April 16 in Rotorua) and Asia-Pacific Championship (April 23 in NSW) will be recognized with special “ANZ Double” trophies.

XTERRA HALF-MARATHON TRAIL RUN: On Sunday trail runners can join in the fun and discover nature’s paradise in New South Wales. XTERRA will give out awards to the top three in each division, and first- place finishers in each division win free entry to the 2016 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship (21K) to be held December 4, 2015 in Hawaii. 9 THE 2016 COURSE AT CALLALA BEACH

XTERRA managing director “Kahuna Dave” Nicholas has SWIM DISTANCE: 1.5-kilometers (0.93 miles). high praise for the venue set to host the 3rd annual Location: Callala Beach at the end of Callala Beach Road XTERRA’s Asia-Pacific Championship race. a long, white sand beach facing the mouth of Jervis Bay. The Bay is renowned for its white sand beaches and clear “The area is gorgeous, and we’ll be racing and riding turquoise water. Jervis Bay is sheltered from most open through the Nowra State Forest,” explained Nicholas. “All in ocean swells. Full course athletes will swim two laps of a all it will be a total Australian experience. They call it bush – 750 meter triangular course with a short beach sprint and it is. Not a lot of total elevation change, but some steep, between laps. Sprint racers swim one lap. Water temps are short stuff and it’s quite sandy in places that will require typically 20 degrees, and most likely a wetsuit legal race. some tough pedaling.” Swim to Bike (T1) - 670-meter run from beach The bike and run trails are native bush, undulating and fast. Location: Located at Callala RSL Country Club There are some sandy trails, even miles from the coast, and it’s also rooty in spots. The trails get narrow, winding thru MOUNTAIN BIKE DISTANCE: 30 Kilometers (18 miles) trees. Location:Nowra State Forest, Private Land. The bike course follows jeep trails from the RSL and crosses Forest Road to “The run course is going to have nearly a mile of access some great single track which are portions of sand/beach running and it will be tough,” said Nicholas. SCUM’s Superbowl and Butterfly trails. There will be short technical sections, flat twisty blasts, some short, sharp Even locals marvel at the soft, white sand that stretches for climbs, a couple of short twisty downhills and a great miles. “Better than Kailua Beach sand,” exclaimed XTERRA wha-hoo downhill. Single track returns to the road crossing President Janet Clark, a Canberra-native who lives near the and then takes fire trails back to the transition area at the famous Kailua Beach in Hawaii. RSL. Sprint: Our sprint course is a single loop using a variety of jeep trail and is perfect for beginners. Of note, the ocean temperatures measured at 20 degrees on their visit, which would make it a wetsuit-legal race. Bike to Run (T2) Transition Location: Located at Callala RSL Country Club “It’s also worth noting the ocean should be fairly flat, with no surf to speak of during the race,” said Nicholas. TRAIL RUN DISTANCE: 10 Kilometers (6.2 miles) Location: Race courses will be a combination of jeep trail No surf, but plenty of wildlife. and single track – starting and finishing at the RSL. We have changed the Championship course so there will be “Birds squawking and yodeling everywhere – sulfur crested less beach sand than last year. One stretch of about 1km cockatoos, parrots, kookaburras, it is a cacophony of a in sand is early in the race. racket. We named one of the run trails “Squawking bird” as a result,” said Nicholas. “The range of colors and sounds is unbelievable, and the huge white gum trees (currently in flower) are spectacular.”

Of course there is no doubt visitors will be eager to experience the Kangaroo culture.

“The Kangaroos are the same color as the tree trunks and it’s hard to see them until they move,” said Nicholas. “On the golf course you can see a dozen at a time and walk right up to them.

10 CALLALA BEACH, JERVIS BAY, NEW SOUTH WALES

11 2016 ELITE MEN’S START LIST

Name (Alphabetical) - Age, Hometown Ben Allen – 31, North Wollongong, NSW, Australia Kaon Cho - 33, Jeju, South Korea Braden Currie – 29, Wanaka, Otago, New Zealand Aiden Dunster - 25, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand Brodie Gardner - 29, Marcoola, QLD, Australia Allen Jason Hsieh - 31, Tai Po, Hong Kong Barry Lee - 23, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Kieran McPherson - 24, Matamata, New Zealand Joe Miller - 36, Cebu, Philippines Sam Osborne - 25, Rotorua, New Zealand Cameron Paul - 25, Taupo, New Zealand Alex Roberts - 26, Taupo, New Zealand Olly Shaw - 24, Rotorua, New Zealand Robert Skillman - 32, Tarlo, NSW, Australia Bradley Weiss - 27, Stellenbosch, South Africa Hayden Wilde - 18, Whakatane, New Zealand Noah Wright - 41, Austin, Texas, USA

Currie

12 2016 ELITE WOMEN’S START LIST

Name (Alphabetical) - Age, Hometown Sarah Backler – 33, Tauranga, New Zealand Renata Bucher – 38, Lucerne, Switzerland Slack Penny Hosken – 28, Ringwood North, VIC, Australia Holly Khan – 30, Cooranbong, NSW, Australia Elizabeth Orchard – 30, Auckland, New Zealand Jessica Simpson - 27, East Corrimal, NSW, Australia Jacqui Slack – 32, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, United Kingdom Catherine Sterling – 38, Ayer, Massachusetts, USA Carina Wasle – 31, Kundl, Austria

Wasle

13 MEET THE PROS

BEN ALLEN North Wollongong, Australia 2015 XTERRA Czech/Germany Champ 17 Career Wins on XTERRA World Tour

2015 XTERRA EUROPEAN TOUR RANK: 7 PERSONAL: Born January 19, 1985...was named the 2012 XTERRA Warrior Award winner along with his girl- friend Jacqui Slack for perpetuating the “Live More” spirit of XTERRA. WEB/TWITTER: benallentriathlete.com/ @Benny_Allen XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Sixth year. 2011: Placed 4th at XTERRA New Zealand, was 3rd at XTERRA Italy, won XTERRA Brazil, placed 13th at XTERRA France, 12th at XTERRA Czech, 7th at XTERRA Germany, 4th at XTERRA Switzerland, 6th at XTERRA Canada, 7th at the XTERRA USA Championship, 36th at XTERRA Worlds. 2012: Won the XTERRA Guam, Philippines, Saipan, and New Zealand Championship races to start the season, was 2nd at XTERRA Italy, 9th at XTERRA France, 5th at XTERRA Czech, 11th at XTERRA Germany, 3rd at XTERRA Switzerland, 2nd at the XTERRA USA Championship, and 35th (after a series of mechanicals on the bike) at XTERRA Worlds. Finished 3rd in the XTERRA European Tour. 2013: Won four of five XTERRA World Tour Championship races to start the year. Won the XTERRA Philippines, Saipan, and Guam Championships in March, finished 2nd to Olympian Courtney Atkinson at XTERRA Great Ocean Road in Australia, then won the XTERRA New Zealand Championship for the second straight year. On the XTERRA European Tour he placed 2nd at XTERRA Spain, won XTERRA Greece, was 5th at XTERRA Germany, won XTERRA England, was 6th at the USA Championship, and 2015: Finished 3rd at the XTERRA Philippines third (top Australian male ever) at the XTERRA World Championship, won the XTERRA Saipan Championship for Championship. He had the most XTERRA World Tour wins the fourth straight year, then won XTERRA Guam. Was 5th of anyone with seven. at the Asia-Pacific Championship, 4th at the XTERRA West 2014: Finished 3rd at XTERRA Philippines, won XTERRA Championship, 2nd at the XTERRA Asian Tour Great Ocean Road and XTERRA Saipan, was 5th at the Championship race in Malaysia, won XTERRA Czech and Asia-Pacific Championships and 3rd at XTERRA Malaysia. XTERRA Germany on back-to-back weekends. Placed 3rd Finished 4th in the XTERRA European Tour with a 6th in at the XTERRA European Championship in England, and France, 3rd place in Sweden and Czech, 4th in the UK, 2nd was 14th at XTERRA Worlds. at XTERRA Denmark. Placed 13th at USA Champs, and 2016: Placed 2nd at XTERRA Philippines, then won the was 3rd at XTERRA Worlds for the second straight year. Aussie Cross Tri National Title.

14 MEET THE PROS

BRADEN CURRIE Wanaka, New Zealand 2015 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Champion

2015 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 2 PERSONAL: Born May 30, 1986 in Methven...is a father of two. His 2nd place finish at XTERRA Worlds last year was the best finish by a Kiwi in Maui since won it all in 2006. RACING EXPERIENCE: Fifth year racing XTERRA. Won the XTERRA Motatapu off-road tri three straight years from 2012-14. Won the New Zealand long distance triathlon championship at the beginning of 2015 then his third straight Coast-to-Coast crown (the de-facto adventure racing world championship which features six stages and 150-miles worth of running, biking, and kayaking from the west to east coast of the South Island in his homeland). 2014: Won XTERRA Sweden, finished 2nd at Switzerland, France, Italy, was 4th at Czech and 3rd at Germany. Finished 2nd behind Ruzafa on the European Tour 2015: Won XTERRA New Zealand then the XTERRA Asia- Pacific Championship on back-to-back weekends in April. Won the XTERRA Southeast Championship in stride-for- stride battle with , was 2nd at the East Championship, 3rd at the Mountain Championship, 2nd at the USA Championship, and 2nd behind Josiah Middaugh at the XTERRA World Championship. Also finished 2nd behind Middaugh on the America Tour this year.

15 MEET THE PROS

OLLY SHAW Rotorua, New Zealand 2015 XTERRA Motatapu Champ

2015 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 10 PERSONAL: Born December 28, 1991. RACING EXPERIENCE: Ninth year racing XTERRA, fourth as an elite. Won the 20-24 division XTERRA World Championship in 2012 before going pro. He was just 15 when he did his first race at XTERRA New Zealand in his hometown of Rotorua. Earned a college degree in sport from the University of Waikato. 2014: Placed 2nd at XTERRA Motatapu, 3rd at XTERRA Guam, 4th at XTERRA Saipan, and 3rd at XTERRA New Zealand, and 39th at XTERRA Worlds. 2015: Placed 2nd at XTERRA Motatapu, 3rd at XTERRA New Zealand, 4th at the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Champs, 2nd at XTERRA Tahiti, 5th at the XTERRA Southeast Championship, did not finish the XTERRA East Championship after a series of mechanicals, was 11th at the XTERRA USA Championship, and finished 12th at the XTERRA World Championship. 2016: Won the XTERRA Motatapu off-road triathlon on the south island of New Zealand.

16 MEET THE PROS

BRAD WEISS Somerset West, South Africa 2016 XTERRA Philippines/RSA Champ

FINAL 2015 XTERRA ASIAN TOUR RANK: 1 PERSONAL: Born March 21, 1989 XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Fifth Year. 2012: Placed 8th at XTERRA South Africa Championship, won the ITU U23 Cross Triathlon World Championship at Pelham, Alabama, and was 7th at the XTERRA East Championship. 2013: Placed 5th at XTERRA South Africa Championship, 4th at the XTERRA Philippines Championship, 3rd at the XTERRA Saipan Championship, 3rd at the XTERRA Guam Championship, 4th at the Southeast Champs, a U.S.-best 3rd at the East Champs, 9th at the Mountain Champs, and 7th at the USA Championship. FInished 5th in the Pro Series. 2014: 4th at South Africa, 2nd at Philippines, 2nd at Guam, 3rd at Saipan, 2nd at the West Championship, 4th against a stacked-house at the Asia-Pacific Champs, 2nd at XTERRA Malaysia, 3rd at XTERRA Southeast, and 4th at XTERRA East Champs, 17th at XTERRA Germany, and 4th at the USA Championship. Finished the season ranked 2nd in the Pro Series. Placed 10th at XTERRA Worlds. 2015: Won the XTERRA Philippines Championship, was 2nd at XTERRA South Africa, XTERRA Saipan, and XTERRA Guam, then won the XTERRA Malaysia and the XTERRA Asian Tour Championship. Won the inaugural XTERRA Reunion off-road tri and was 2nd at XTERRA France and XTERRA Germany. 2016: Won all three XTERRA events in South Africa includ- ing the Championship race in Grabouw for the first time. Also won XTERRA Philippines for the second year in a row.

17 MEET THE PROS

Sam Osborne: The 25-year-old from Rotorua finished 2nd at XTERRA New Zealand last year, just 13-seconds behind Braden Currie. He also won the XTERRA Sweden Sam Championship and was 2nd at XTERRA Denmark. He’s been training with Kiwi Olympian Ryan Sissons and is feeling confident.

Brodie Gardner: The 29-year-old from Australia finished 7th at the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship last year and 23rd at XTERRA Worlds. This year he finished 3rd at XTERRA Philippines and won the XTERRA Saipan Championship. He was also second behind Ben Allen at the Aussie ITU Cross Tri Nationals earlier this year.

Robert Skillman: The 32-year-old from Tarlo, NSW is racing in his first-ever XTERRA. He finished 3rd this year behind Ben Allen and Brodie Gardner at the Australian ITU Cross Tri National Championships.

Hayden Wilde: The 18-year-old from Whakatane, New Zealand is the youngest elite in the field, and last year won the 15-19 division XTERRA World Championship.

Joe Miller: The 36-year-old from the Philippines placed 6th in the final XTERRA Asian Tour standings last year 6th place finishes at the Philippines, Saipan and Guam and a Brodie 7th place showing at XTERRA Malaysia. This year he was 9th at the XTERRA Philippines Championship and 3rd at XTERRA Saipan.

Alex Roberts: The 26-year-old from New Zealand won the 25-29 division at the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship last year and finished 4th in his pro debut at XTERRA Motatapu this year. He’s been racing XTERRA since 2011.

Kaon Cho: The 33-year-old from South Korea placed 8th at the XTERRA Japan Championship last year and was 4th at XTERRA Saipan this year.

Aiden Dunster: The 25-year-old from New Zealand placed 4th at XTERRA New Zealand last year and was 3rd at XTERRA South Africa this year.

Jason Hsieh: The 31-year-old from Hong Kong finished 7th at XTERRA Japan in his first-ever off-road race.

18 MEET THE PROS

Barry Lee: The 23-year-old from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia finished 10th at XTERRA Philippines this year, and is quite famous in Malaysia road triathlon for being the youngest to Kieran do an olympic-distance tri (he was 10). He also did his first marathon when he was 10, and has been the top Malaysian at several Ironman races earning Kona spots.

Kieran McPherson: The 24-year-old from New Zealand finished 7th at XTERRA New Zealand and 9th at the XTERRA USA Championship last year.

Cameron Paul: The 25-year-old from Taupo, New Zealand finished 9th at the XTERRA New Zealand Championship last year and 28th at XTERRA Worlds.

Noah Wright: The 41-year-old from Austin, Texas finished 18th at the XTERRA European Championship in England

Joe

19 MEET THE PROS

SARAH BACKLER Tauranga, New Zealand 2015 XTERRA Tahiti Champion

PERSONAL: Born November 10, 1982. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: For Backler, a 33-year-old industrial designer and creator of beautiful porcelain objects, XTERRA was a passion brought on by her husband that has turned into more than just a hobby. “I watched my husband get hooked by XTERRA in 2010, and decided that if he was going to continue I didn’t want to be a supporter and should give it a go,” explained Backler. “2011 was my ‘taster’ at XTERRA Rotorua, AND 2012 was the chance to do it a little better and the trend has continued ever since.” Indeed it has. In 2012 she won the amateur title at Rotorua then went to Maui and won the 30-34 XTERRA World Championship crown. Turning pro was the logical “next challenge.” In 2014 Backler finished third at XTERRA New Zealand behind ITU star Barbara Riveros and many-time XTERRA champ Jacqui Slack. Last year she finished 4th at XTERRA New Zealand before winning the inaugural XTERRA Tahiti Championship.

20 MEET THE PROS

RENATA BUCHER Lucerne, Switzerland 2014 XTERRA Philippines & Guam Champ 4-time XTERRA European Tour Champ

2015 XTERRA EUROPEAN TOUR RANK: 12 PERSONAL: Born May 30, 1977. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 13th year. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Has won 33 XTERRA Championship races in 14 countries, the U.S. Territory of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas. 2004: 9th at XTERRA Germany in first-ever XTERRA. 2013: Placed 2nd at XTERRA Philippines, Saipan, and Guam Championship races in March, then won four straight World Tour races at the XTERRA Great Ocean Road off- road tri in Australia, XTERRA New Zealand, XTERRA Malaysia and XTERRA Spain. She was 4th at XTERRA Greece and XTERRA Switzerland, secon at XTERRA Italy and XTERRA Czech, and 5th at XTERRA Germany. She finished the season ranked 3rd in the XTERRA European Tour. Was 12th at USA Championship, and 15th at Worlds. 2014: Placed 2nd at XTERRA Motatapu, won XTERRA Philippines and XTERRA Guam Championships, and placed 2nd at XTERRA Saipan. Was 5th at the Asia-Pacific Championship, 4th at Switzerland, 3rd at France and Sweden, 4th at Italy, 5th at Czech, 7th at Germany and 5th at Denmark. 2015: Placed 5th at XTERRA Philippines, 4th at XTERRA Saipan, 5th at XTERRA Guam, 9th at the XTERRA Asia- Pacific Championship in Australia, 7th at the XTERRA Asian Tour Championship in Malaysia, and was 4th at XTERRA Italy. Won the ETU European Championship in Germany in July. Finished 2nd at the XTERRA European Championship in England. Finished 9th at the XTERRA World Championship. 2016: Finished 3rd at the XTERRA Saipan Championship.

21 MEET THE PROS

PENNY HOSKEN Ringwood North, VIC, Australia

PERSONAL: Born April 30, 1987 RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: After winning the World Age Sprint Distance Triathlon Championships in Auckland in 2012 she started racing on the ITU triathlon circuit. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Second year. In 2014 she finished 3rd at the XTERRA Great Ocean Road off-road tri in Anglesea in her XTERRA debut, DNF’d at the Asia- Pacific Champs due to illness and was 26th at XTERRA Worlds. HER STORY: Last month Penny Hosken was the top Aussie female finisher at the Australian Cross Triathlon National Championship race to earn the title of elite national champion and a spot on Team Australia. “It’s Amazing!” said Hosken of the honor. “I couldn’t believe it. I have struggled with illness the past 18 months and was ready to give high level racing away but I decided to have one more crack with the announcement of the ITU Off-Road Worlds in Australia. Even though I didn’t win the race, the top four females were all very close and I was right in the mix. To get any Elite National title is special, especially in Australia where we have such a rich history of successful females.” Hosken hopes to carry that momentum into the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship race at Callala Beach, Jervis Bay/New South Wales on April 23. “I have unfinished busi- ness in Callala from 2014,” said Hosken, who did not finish two years ago due to illness. “I absolutely hate DNFs so this is my chance to erase that memory. I want to be in the mix and have a solid day out.” Hosken, who also works full-time as an engineer to “fund my triathlon habit,” says she has limited time for training and has to be selective with her racing and traveling but loves the variation off-road racing provides. “There is no getting into a rhythm and switching off at XTERRA,” she said. “You have to be focused at all times. I love when they start with a surf swim and you can catch a wave back into shore. Every bike course is different and throughout the bike leg the terrain is usually changing so there is no time to get bored. Its full on the whole time. I also like that the run is not straight and flat. I am not from a run background and strength run courses appeal to me much more. You get distracted by the terrain from the hurt in the legs.”

22 MEET THE PROS

LIZZIE ORCHARD Auckland, New Zealand 2016 XTERRA Philippines Champion

2015 XTERRA ASIAN TOUR RANK: 5 PERSONAL: Born November 26, 1985. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 6th year. Won the 25-29 XTERRA World Title in 2011 before going pro. Won the overall amateur title at the ITU Cross Tri World Championships in 2012. 2013: Placed 7th at Switzerland, 6th at XTERRA France. 2014: Finished 4th at XTERRA New Zealand, 6th at the Asia-Pacific Championship and 15th at Worlds. 2015: Finished 2nd at XTERRA New Zealand, 5th at the Asia-Pacific Championship, 2nd at the XTERRA Asian Tour Championship in Malaysia, 2nd at XTERRA Japan, and was 5th at XTERRA Worlds. 2016: Won the XTERRA World Tour season-opener at XTERRA Philippines. Is ranked 2nd in the XTERRA Asia- Pacific Tour standings after the first three events.

23 MEET THE PROS

JACQUI SLACK Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom 2015 XTERRA Asian Tour Champion

2015 XTERRA ASIAN TOUR RANK: 1 PERSONAL: Born June 17, 1983...was a firefighter prior to turning pro full-time...was named the 2012 XTERRA Warrior Award winner along with her boyfriend Ben Allen for perpetuating the “Live More” spirit of XTERRA. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Seventh year. WEBSITE/TWITTER: jacquisblog.com / @jacquislack 2011: Placed 4th at XTERRA Italy, 9th at XTERRA Czech. 2012: Was 3rd at XTERRA Guam, 2nd at XTERRA Philippines and Saipan Championships, won XTERRA New Zealand and XTERRA Italy, was 3rd at XTERRA France, 4th at XTERRA Czech, and 3rd at Switzerland. Finished 2nd on the XTERRA European Tour. Placed 7th at the USA Championship, and 5th at XTERRA Worlds. 2013: Finished 4th at XTERRA Philippines Championship, then won the XTERRA Saipan Championship, Saipan’s Tagaman road triathlon, and the XTERRA Guam Championship on successive weekends en route to capturing the XTERRA Triple Crown title. Finished 2nd behind Bucher at both the XTERRA Great Ocean Road and XTERRA New Zealand Championship races in April. Was 4th at XTERRA Malaysia and XTERRA Spain, 2nd at XTERRA Greece and France, and won the last two Euro Tour events at XTERRA Germany and XTERRA England. Finished 4th in the final XTERRA European Tour standings. DNF at USA Champs, and placed 9th at XTERRA Worlds. 2014: Placed 4th at XTERRA Philippines, won XTERRA Great Ocean road, was 3rd at XTERRA Saipan, and 2nd at XTERRA New Zealand, 3rd at XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship and won XTERRA Malaysia Championship. Was 4th at XTERRA Spain, 3rd at XTERRA Portugal, 7th at XTERRA France, 2nd at XTERRA Czech, 6th at XTERRA Germany, 4th at England, 3rd at Denmark. Finished 4th in the European Tour, and 9th at Worlds. 2015: Placed 2nd at XTERRA Philippines, won XTERRA Saipan for second time in three years, was 2nd at XTERRA Guam, 3rd at the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship in Australia and the XTERRA Asian Tour Championship in Malaysia, was 3rd at XTERRA Czech, 2nd at XTERRA Germany, 3rd at the European Championship, and 8th at XTERRA Worlds. 2016: Placed 2nd at XTERRA Philippines. 24 MEET THE PROS

CATHERINE STERLING Ayer, Massachusetts

2015 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 6 PERSONAL: Born December 5, 1976. Got her PhD in Genetics from Yale in 2005 and recently moved to Melbourne for work. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Fourth year. 2015: Finished 4th at the XTERRA Southeast Championship, a career-best 3rd at the XTERRA East Championship, and followed that with a 3rd place showing at the XTERRA USA Championship. 2016: Finished 3rd at the Australian ITU Cross Tri Nationals behind Renata Bucher and Jacqui Slack.

25 MEET THE PROS

CARINA WASLE Kundl, Austria 2015 XTERRA Saipan Champion

2015 XTERRA EUROPEAN TOUR RANK: 3 PERSONAL: Born October 20, 1984. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 12th year. Finished 3rd at XTERRA Austria in first-ever XTERRA in 2005 then won XTERRA Germany. 2006: Finished 2nd at XTERRA Czech and XTERRA Spain, was 3rd at Denmark and won XTERRA Germany. 2007: Placed 2nd at XTERRA Italy, 4th at XTERRA Denmark, 3rd at XTERRA Austria, and won XTERRA Germany for 3rd straight year. Was 10th at World Champs. 2008: Placed 3rd at European Championship in Italy, won XTERRA Czech, was third at XTERRA France-Auron, and second at XTERRA France-Mondelieu. Finished 2nd in XTERRA European Tour standings. Placed third at XTERRA USA Championship, and 8th at XTERRA Worlds. 2009: Placed 6th at XTERRA Italy, won XTERRA Czech, 11th at XTERRA Germany, 4th at XTERRA Denmark, 2nd was 7th at XTERRA Germany, 2nd at XTERRA Austria, and at XTERRA Philippines Championship, 3rd at XTERRA 4th at XTERRA USA Champs. Guam Championship, won XTERRA Saipan Championship, 2010: Placed 4th at XTERRA Portugal and the European 4th at XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship, 3rd at XTERRA Championship in Italy, was third at XTERRA France, 5th at Malaysia Championship, 7th at the USA Championship, Czech, 10th at the USA Championship, and 6th at XTERRA and 10th at XTERRA Worlds. Worlds. 2015: Placed 3rd at XTERRA South Africa, 2nd at Saipan, 2011: Won the XTERRA South Africa Championship, was won XTERRA Guam, was 6th at the XTERRA Asia-Pacific 3rd at XTERRA Philippines, 2nd at XTERRA Saipan, 5th at Championship, 5th at XTERRA Malaysia, 3rd at XTERRA XTERRA Italy, won XTERRA Brazil, 2nd at XTERRA Greece, won XTERRA Switzerland, was 2nd at XTERRA France, 4th at XTERRA Czech, 6th at XTERRA Germany, Sweden and Italy, 5th at Czech, 3rd at Germany, and won 4th at XTERRA Switzerland, and 11th at USA Champs. XTERRA Denmark. 2012: Placed 2nd at XTERRA South Africa Championship, 2016: Placed 2nd at XTERRA South Africa and won the was 5th at XTERRA Italy, 4th at XTERRA France, 2nd at XTERRA Saipan Championship. XTERRA Czech, 4th at XTERRA Germany and XTERRA Switzerland. Finished 3rd in XTERRA European Tour. Also of Note: Placed 8th at XTERRA USA Championship. 2013: Placed 4th at XTERRA South Africa Championship, Holly Khan - The 30-year-old from Cooranbong will be DNF at XTERRA Philippines due to bike mechanical, was making her XTERRA debut. She placed 7th at the 2nd at the XTERRA Saipan Championship, third at the Australian ITU Cross Tri Nationals earlier this year. XTERRA Guam Championship and XTERRA Great Ocean Road, 4th at the XTERRA New Zealand Championship, 5th Jessica Simpson - The 27-year-old from East Corrimal at XTERRA Malaysia, 6th at XTERRA Spain, 5th at was 8th overall & the top Aussie female last year to take XTERRA Greece, and 4th at XTERRA Czech and XTERRA home the XTERRA Australian Championship crown, and Germany, and 6th at XTERRA USA Champs the year before she was the top overall amateur woman at 2014: Finished 5th at XTERRA Switzerland, 2nd at the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship. Earlier this year XTERRA France, Sweden, Italy, 4th at XTERRA Czech, she finished 5th at the Australian ITU Cross Tri Nationals. 26 2015-16 XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC TOUR

The Off-Road to Malaysia! PL NAME JPN PHI SAIPAN TOT 1 Takahiro Ogasawara, JPN 82 75 90 247 XTERRA Japan, held August 29, 2015 at a new venue in 2 Brodie Gardner, AUS DNS 82 100 182 Hokkaido, was the kick-off event to the 2nd annual 3 Charlie Epperson, USA 75 69 DNS 144 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Tour Championship Series. 4 Joe Miller, PHI DNS 53 82 135 5 Kaon Cho, KOR 53 DNS 75 128 This year’s tour crowns series champions at the season 6 Cameron Oneal, USA 63 58 DNS 121 finale in Langkawi, Malaysia in May, 2016. 7 Courtney Atkinson, AUS 100 DNS DNS 100 8 Bradley Weiss, RSA DNS 100 DNS 100 The top 15 amateur, Asian-elite, and professional racers at 9 Cedric Lassonde, FRA 90 DNS DNS 90 each event will earn series points, with double points being 10 Ben Allen, AUS DNS 90 DNS 90 offered at the finale in Malaysia. Racers will count their best 11 Taro Shirato, JPN 69 DNS DNS 69 three scores to determine champions in each division. 12 Michal Bucek, SVK DNS 63 DNS 63 13 Jason Hsieh , HKG 58 DNS DNS 58 The XTERRA Asia-Pacific Tour will award a prize bonus of 14 Barry Lee, MAS DNS 49 DNS 49 $10,000 USD to the top five pro men and women in the final standings ($2,000 for 1st, $1,500-2nd, $800-3rd, $400-4th, PL NAME JPN PHI SAIPAN TOT $300-5th). 1 Mieko Carey, USA 100 82 90 272 2 Lizzie Orchard, NZL 90 100 DNS 190 For 2016, the Tour includes XTERRA Philippines (February 3 Carina Wasle, AUT DNS DNS 100 100 7, 2016), XTERRA Saipan (March 12, 2016), XTERRA New 4 Jacqui Slack, GBR DNS 90 DNS 90 Zealand (April 16, 2016), the XTERRA Asia-Pacific 5 Renata Bucher, SUI DNS DNS 82 82 Championship in NSW, Australia (April 23, 2016) and the 6 Belinda Hadden, AUS DNS DNS 75 75 tour finale at XTERRA Malaysia (May 7, 2016).

The 2016-17 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Tour season will again begin at XTERRA Tahiti (May 14, 2016), then continue at XTERRA Korea with an amateur-only race (no pro prize money or pro points) on August 27, 2016 in Daeahn Reservoir, followed by XTERRA Japan in Hokkaido on September 3, 2016.

27 2015 XTERRA ASIAN TOUR FINAL STANDINGS

In 2015 XTERRA united its championship triathlons in Asia to create the XTERRA Asian Tour and crowned series champions at the season finale in Langkawi, Malaysia in May. The five majors in the 2015 XTERRA Asian Tour were XTERRA Philippines on February 8 in Albay, XTERRA Saipan on March 28 in the Northern Marianas, XTERRA Guam on April 11 in Piti, the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship on April 18 in New South Wales, Australia, and XTERRA Malaysia - which will double as the XTERRA Asian Tour Championship race - on May 2 in Langkawi. (Note: The XTERRA Japan Championship in Hokkaido on August 29 served as the first race of the 2016 XTERRA Asian Tour.)

PRO MEN Pl Name PHI SAI GUA AUS MAS TOT 1 Brad Weiss, RSA 100 x90 90 x 200 390 Weiss 2 Ben Allen, AUS x82 100 100 x69 180 380 3 Takahiro Ogasawara, JPN x 82 82 x 164 328 4 Charlie Epperson, USA 69 x 69 x 150 288 5 Markus Benesch, AUT x 75 75 x 126 276 6 Joe Miller, PHI x63 63 63 x 116 242 7 Theo Blignaut, RSA x x x x 138 138 8 Brodie Gardner, AUS 75 x x 58 x 133 9 Kaon Cho, KOR x 53 58 x x 111 10 Braden Currie, NZL x x x 100 x 100 Also: Courtney Atkinson (100), Mauricio Mendez (90), (82), Olly Shaw (75), Aleksandr Dorovskikh (69), Joshua Kenyon (63), David Esposito (58), Michal Bucek (58), Jarad Kohler (53), Kieran McPherson (49), Mitchell Ginsberg (45)

PRO WOMEN Pl Name PHI SAI GUA AUS MAS TOT 1 Jacqui Slack, GBR x90 100 90 x82 164 354 2 Carina Wasle, AUT x 90 100 x63 138 328 3 Mieko Carey, JPN x75 82 82 x 106 270 4 Renata Bucher, SUI x69 75 69 x49 116 260 5 Lizzie Orchard, NZL x x x 69 180 249 6 Daz Parker, GBR x63 69 75 x 90 234 7 Belinda Hadden, AUS x 63 63 x45 82 208 t8 Myriam Guillot, FRA x x x x 200 200 t8 , BER 100 x x 100 x 200 10 Dimity-Lee Duke, AUS 82 x x x 98 180 Also: Carla Van Huyssteen (150), Helena Erbenova (126), Barbara Riveros (90), Suzie Snyder (75), Shirin Gerami (74), Caroline Steffen (58), Alena Stevens (58), Jessica Simpson (53).

28 2016 XTERRA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING RACES

Date Race (Location) Elite Winners Feb 7 XTERRA Philippines (Albay, Luzon) + Brad Weiss / Lizzie Orchard Feb 21 XTERRA South Africa (Grabouw, Western Cape) Brad Weiss / Flora Duffy Mar 5 XTERRA Motatapu (South Island, New Zealand) Olly Shaw / Julia Grant Mar 12 XTERRA Saipan (Northern Marianas) + Brodie Gardner / Carina Wasle Mar 20 XTERRA Costa Rica (Playa Reserva Conchal) #SILVER Karl Shaw / Myriam Guillot-Boisset Mar 26 XTERRA Argentina (Dique Ullum, San Juan) #GOLD Josiah Middaugh / Myriam Guillot-Boisset Apr 3 XTERRA Malta (Majjistral Nature Reserve, Mellieha) *SILVER Roger Serrano / Brigitta Poor Apr 16 XTERRA New Zealand (Rotorua) + Apr 17 XTERRA La Reunion (Saint Gilles Les Bains, Reunion Island) Apr 23 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship / XTERRA Australia (Jervis Bay, NSW, Australia) + May 7 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Tour Championship / XTERRA Malaysia (Langkawi) + May 7 XTERRA Brazil (Ilhabela) #SILVER May 7 XTERRA Greece (Vouliagmeni) *SILVER May 14 XTERRA Tahiti (Papeete) ++ May 21 XTERRA Oak Mountain State Park (Pelham, AL, USA) #GOLD May 21 XTERRA Portugal (Golega) *SILVER June 11 XTERRA Belgium (Namur) *SILVER June 25 XTERRA Switzerland (Vallee de Joux) *GOLD June 25 XTERRA Mine over Matter (Milton, Ontario, Canada) #SILVER July 3 XTERRA France (Xonrupt, Gerardmer) *GOLD July 10 XTERRA Victoria (Victoria, B.C., Canada) #SILVER July 16 XTERRA Beaver Creek (Avon, CO, USA) #GOLD July 23 XTERRA Parry Sound (Ontario, Canada) July 31 XTERRA Italy (Abruzzo, Scanno) #SILVER July 31 XTERRA Dominican Republic (Barahona) #GOLD Aug 6 XTERRA Mexico (Tapalpa, Jalisco) #GOLD Aug 7 XTERRA Poland (Krakow) *SILVER Aug 13 XTERRA Sweden (Hellasgaarden, Stockholm) *SILVER Aug 14 XTERRA Canmore (Alberta, Canada) Aug 20 XTERRA European Championship / XTERRA Germany (Zittau) *GOLD Aug 27 XTERRA Sleeping Giant (Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada) Aug 27 XTERRA Korea (Daeahn Reservior, Wonju City) Sep 3 XTERRA Japan (Hokkaido) ++ Sep 4 XTERRA Denmark (Mons Klint) *GOLD Sep 4 XTERRA Quebec (Quebec City, Canada) Sep 11 XTERRA Woolastook (New Brunswick, Canada) Sept 17 XTERRA Pan American Championship / XTERRA USA (Ogden/Snowbasin, Utah, USA) Oct 23 XTERRA World Championship (Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii)

* XTERRA European Tour # XTERRA Pan American Tour + 2016 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Tour // ++ 2016-17 Asia-Pacific Tour GOLD = XTERRA European or Pan American Tour Event- Minimum $15,000 pro prize purse / 100-point scale SILVER = XTERRA European or Pan American Tour Event - Minimum $7,500 pro prize purse / 75-point scale tentative and subject to change, as of 3.29.16

29 2015 XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW

April 18, 2015 (Callala Beach, NSW) - Braden Currie and Flora Duffy won the men’s and women’s elite titles at the 2nd annual XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship race at Callala Beach in Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia this afternoon.

After a wet Friday that soaked pre-riders and runners, the clouds and rain gave way to bright sunshine Saturday morning and near-perfect racing conditions, except of course, for the slick roots and muddy trails that the rain left behind. It turned intermediate routes into technical tracts and clean racing kits into mud-splattered ensembles.

In the men’s race the adverse conditions played right into the strengths of Braden Currie, one of the best adventure racers in the world.

“It was awesome, it was wet, it was muddy, it was actually quite technical because it was so loose but it’s stuff that you don’t get hurt on so you can hit it as hard as you can and if you crash you jump back up and go again,” said Currie.

The 28-year-old from Wanaka came out of the swim about the same time as Conrad Stoltz in 18:06, and trailed Courtney Atkinson and Ben Allen by about one-minute. Atkinson and Allen were up front on the bike early until the course got into some of the twisting tree lines.

“I knew it was going to be some pretty hard racing,” said Currie. “I caught Courtney on some of that single track and Ben sort of got stuck behind him and I made myself a bit of a gap and just extended that lead thru the end of the bike. I knew me and Courtney would have a pretty hard run battle if we were close, so I tried to put everything I could into that bike.”

The strategy paid off, and he posted the fastest bike split of the day in 1:24:03 (Stoltz was 1:24:23) which was more than six-minutes better than Atkinson. The way the two-time Olympian Atkinson can run, it was a necessary cushion. I came down twice on the bike today on some slippery stuff. It’s a challenge for me. There were times on the bike when “I knew when Braden was the first to catch me I was in I was thinking that I could get off and run faster than this, trouble,” said Atkinson, who moved up from fifth off the bike and much less dangerously. I know overseas they have to second by the finish by posting the fastest run split of the sloppy, jungle XTERRA’s but this is probably the first time day (35:30) by two minutes. “Pretty cool to win the XTERRA I’ve experienced this level of mud. I ran as quick as I could Australian title for the third year in a row and ya know but the thing with XTERRA is the bike kills your legs. It was Braden, he’s not the world’s best adventurer for no reason. a tough day at the muddy office.” 30 2015 XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW

For Stoltz, who was still pretty sick leading into race day, just being able to compete was a win.

“I wouldn’t have imagined a podium today,” said Stoltz, the four-time XTERRA World Champ who had to miss out on XTERRA South Africa in February and last weekend at XTERRA New Zealand due to illness.

“Yesterday I didn’t think I was going to race but I woke up this morning feeling much, much better. I was just happy to be out there. Swimming felt alright but when I got out on the bike I felt pretty bad the first half. Every time I tried to push I just felt like there were insects crawling around on my head, it didn’t feel good at all, so I was losing time on Braden and the guys but I said to myself at least I’m partic- ipating which is better than watching. From there I just tried to stay steady so I could finish in the prize money but then all of a sudden in the last third of the ride I could see Ben and Courtney, and couldn’t figure out why I was making time on them. I was surprised to get off the bike in second, and on the run I knew I couldn’t push. The moment I started pushing I felt really bad so I tried to keep it steady and was second until just about 2k from the end when Courtney got by.”

“The Caveman” ultimately finished third, just ahead of Olly Shaw and Ben Allen, and had high praise for the guys in front of him. weekend. “Living a pretty good life, eh. I love training for it and really lucky to have these great events around the world “Two very honorable athletes in front of me, so no worries to race at. The atmosphere is so awesome.” losing to those guys,” said Stoltz, who has 51 career titles of his own. Ben Allen, fresh off wins at XTERRA Saipan and XTERRA Guam, finished in fifth, with Josh Kenyon in sixth, Brodie “They are both real gentlemen and great athletes. Braden is Gardner seventh, Jarad Kohler, Kieran McPherson, and very, very talented and I would say his biggest asset is his Mitchell Ginsberg rounding out the top 10. head. He’s very driven and his head is very strong. Plus, he’s a nice guy and down to earth. He’s the real deal.” Pos Name, Country Time 1 Braden Currie, NZL 2:23:37 Shaw, the 23-year-old from Rotorua who was third last 2 Courtney Aktinson, AUS 2:26:23 weekend at his hometown race, was thrilled to be in the mix 3 Conrad Stoltz, RSA 2:27:12 and living the XTERRA lifestyle. 4 Olly Shaw, NZL 2:27:50 5 Ben Allen, AUS 2:30:54 “Pretty happy, it’s an amazing field here. The highlight was 6 Josh Kenyon, NZL 2:34:08 catching Courtney on the bike. It’s my first season I’ve been 7 Brodie Gardner, AUS 2:39:25 up there and able to compete with these guys, and it’s just 8 Jarad Kohlar, AUS 2:40:03 awesome,” said Shaw, who was third in New Zealand last 9 Kieran McPherson, NZL 2:41:45 weekend and will go on to race at XTERRA Tahiti next 10 Mitchell Ginsbert, RSA 2:41:53 31 2015 XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW

DUFFY DEFENDS APAC TITLE

Flora Duffy took most of the drama right out of the women’s race right from the start with another dominating performance on her way to her 10th XTERRA Championship win in 11 tries since the start of the 2014 season.

The 27-year-old two-time Olympian from Devonshire, Bermuda had the fastest swim (almost two minutes over Barbara Riveros), the quickest bike (more than two minutes over Riveros) and the second-best run split (less than one- minute behind Riveros) to take the tape in 2:36:40, a full three-minutes in front of Riveros.

Of note, Riveros was also the runner-up to Duffy at last year’s XTERRA World Championship and the pair are amongst the very best on the highly competitive ITU World Triathlon Series.

“It was a tough day out there,” said Duffy. “I really wanted to defend this title, and it’s a lot harder defending. I seem to be the favorite no matter what. I wanted to attack the swim and nail the bike, ride the technical bits as best I could. I had a few issues out there, though, with a couple mechanicals and a little crash. It was super muddy. Then I just tried to run steady, and not push too hard. I’m really happy with how it went.”

Duffy, who was fifth at the ITU WTS race on the Gold Coast here in Australia last week, now heads back to her home- away-from-home in South Africa for next weekend’s ITU race. “Mud!” said Jacqui Slack, as if the one word could describe the whole day. “Wow, that’s a really tough course. It’s “Flora is on fire, she’s very strong. I knew it. She’s racing awesome but you have to keep pedaling all the time, a real good in ITU as well and I’m super happy for her,” said power course. There’s no let up, you can’t rest and in the Riveros, who was in second the whole way but still had her muddy sections you have to keep pushing all the time. The share of misfortune. “I fell in the mud puddles, didn’t realize competition was amazing here, and it was really close at the it was so deep, and I couldn’t get out of there. The guy end for the third through fifth positions.” behind was asking if I needed help getting out of there. But it was great, a beautiful course, and I’m happy to have raced Indeed it was, with just one-minute separating Slack, here and qualify for XTERRA Worlds.” Snyder, and Orchard. Carina Wasle finished sixth and covered in mud, Caroline Steffen was seventh in her Behind Riveros Jacqui Slack was in third and in control, XTERRA debut, Jessica Simpson placed eight and won the Suzie Snyder was fourth, and Lizzie Orchard ran her way XTERRA Australia title for being the top Aussie, and Renata into fifth. Bucher and Belinda Hadden rounded out the top 10. 32 2015 XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW

Steffen, of Ironman fame, had a big smile and lots of stories to tell at the finish line.

“It’s awesome. Lot of fun. Bit muddy and dirty, but I really enjoyed it,” said Steffen. “And, I’m happy to be at the finish line in one piece, my coach was so worried. This is an awe- some place, a great event with great organization. I’ve never run on the beach before. In Ironman we’re on the road three times longer, and we try to keep a steady heart rate, fast but steady. Here it’s red-lining the whole time. My body was screaming, like what are you doing to me. That was quite painful. Actually very proud of my performance. I went off a few times but apparently that’s normal. And in the forest it’s so green, I actually thought I was in the movie Lord of the Rings and was a bit scared being out there all alone. There were puddles and mud everywhere, and the sun was coming in through the trees. To be able to run through the forests was good fun, we don’t get that on the road. It’s so different. Swim, bike, and run but just so, so different. I really enjoyed it.”

Pos Name, Country Time 1 Flora Duffy, BER 2:36:40 2 Barbara Riveros, CHI 2:39:47 3 Jacqui Slack, GBR 2:47:06 4 Suzie Snyder, USA 2:47:53 5 Lizzie Orchard, NZL 2:48:08 6 Carina Wasle, AUT 2:52:36 7 Caroline Steffen, SUI 2:56:52 8 Jessica Simpson, AUS 2:57:17 9 Renata Bucher, SUI 3:08:40 10 Belinda Hadden, AUS 3:12:34

CURRIE, SNYDER, XTERRA ANZ DOUBLE WIN LANG, DAVIS WIN AMATEUR TITLES

Braden Currie and Suzie Snyder won the elite XTERRA Tim Lang and Jennifer Davis were the top amateurs on the ANZ Double titles and Matt Backler and Michelle Morwood day. Lang finished 7th overall, ahead of several pros and won the amateur ANZ titles for posting the fastest combined almost three minutes ahead of last weekend overall ama- times at XTERRA New Zealand and the XTERRA Asia- teur champion at XTERRA New Zealand Matt Backler. Pacific Championship. Davis was the ninth overall female and almost four minutes ahead of amateur runner-up Sophie Bos-Stapley. All of the NEILSON, DUFFY WIN XTERRA WETSUITS age group champions and dozens more of the top perform- ers earned a qualifying spot into the XTERRA World Daniel Neilson and Flora Duffy each took home $300 cash Championship on November 1, 2015 in Kapalua, Maui, and from XTERRA Wetsuits Australia for posting the fastest the top Aussies in each division were crowned National swim splits of the day, 16:58 and 17:24, respectively. Champs.

33 2014 XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW

April 26, 2014 (Callala Beach, Jervis Bay, NSW) Dan Hugo and Flora Duffy captured the inaugural XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship on a beautiful day at Callala Bay in Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia.

“It was a great win for Dan Hugo and perhaps his coming of age as a bona fide international superstar,” said XTERRA managing director Dave Nicholas. “He has had 2nd-place finishes at XTERRA Worlds, wins at various places around the globe, but he broke the back of a stellar field today in Australia that marks his first big win.”

The 28-year-old from Stellenbosch, South Africa is quick to agree...“Great to win a championship, probably my first of this stature, it’s been a while coming. I grew up knowing Australia as the pinnacle of triathlon, where are all the legends are from, so to win in my first race here is special.” said Hugo, who has now won four XTERRA majors this season. “It’s beautiful when it all clicks, and make no mistake this course suits me down to the ground. It was super technical to ride this course quick and it had some power climbing. I loved the bike course, it was so fun, and you just don't get to see Kangaroos very often."

Everybody agreed on that point, that the course was epic, even four-time XTERRA World Champ Conrad Stoltz.

“The whole race is phenomenal and very well designed. There is a lot of really good single track and it’s well balanced. I loved this course and was super excited to race here. Even the run is great,” said Stoltz, who pulled out of the race at the bike-to-run transition while in 2nd place due to fatigue from a lingering cold that didn’t shake.

“I’m super disappointed I couldn’t put in a proper performance because I would love to do this race justice. It’s a big race, has a TV show, big money, just look how the Aussies crawled out of the woodwork, that’s good for the sport. But when you’re racing at the level we’re racing at if you’re not 100%, well…”

Indeed, the inaugural XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship featured a $50,000 pro purse, two internationally distributed TV shows, and a big-time field worthy of the attention. for putting up the incredible pro purse, so to come out here to show gratitude and elevate the sport was super “Biggest championship until Maui, really, and for us as important, and to be on the top step is really special,” said professional athletes we so appreciate New South Wales Hugo. 34 2014 XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW

The day started with two-time Olympian Courtney Atkinson from Australia putting a minute into the field in the water, but that lead was quickly taken away…

“Straight in, first mud hole, I got the first big crash done,” laughed Atkinson. “I thought I’d be able to hold a lead but it seems the fire tracks are as hard as the single track here.”

A group of riders with Hugo, Ben Allen, and Roger Serrano bridged the gap to Atkinson within the first few kilometers of the bike, then Hugo “chose a line through a mud section and that was it.” He got some daylight and drove a wedge between himself and the rest of the field from there.

By the bike-to-run transition Hugo had three minutes on to welcome the XTERRA Tribe to Australia. The day came Serrano and Allen, and roughly six minutes to Braden out amazing.” Currie, Bradley Weiss, and Courtney Atkinson. Atkinson showed off some amazing foot speed by picking off every- Allen also made special effort to tell of how Weiss kept him one in front of him but Hugo with the fastest run split of the moving after he passed him towards the end of the run. “He day by far. just told me keep going and kept my spirits up. It’s just classy to have guys like that in the sport.” “When I heard I was six minutes down I didn’t think I could bridge that no matter how well I ran but I heard that Benny Brendan Sexton, an Aussie Olympian making his XTERRA (Allen) was two minutes up so starting thinking about debut, finished sixth on the day and came away with some winning the XTERRA Australia title and pushed,” said stories for sure. Atkinson, who finished three minutes, 48 seconds behind Hugo for 2nd place. “It was an experience, definitely different from anything I’ve done before but I had a great time, it was really fun,” said Currie, who finished 5th at XTERRA Worlds last year, Sexton, who took a spill that took some skin off his arm. stayed with Atkinson for about 8K “but just couldn’t hang in “Those boys are in a different league, so I just kind of let there at the end.” Still a great effort, especially considering them go and did my own thing. Tried to stay upright but was he competed in an adventure race in China last weekend. unsuccessful. I got through it though. You could say I’m hooked, I definitely would like to prepare better next time but Hugo’s mate and fellow South African, Bradley Weiss, had certainly enjoyed it enough to come back again.” another under-the-radar amazing performance by placing ELITE MEN 4th overall – his sixth top four finish this year (which include Po Name, Country Time Swim Bike Run three runner-up showings). 1 Dan HUGO, RSA 2:19:01 0:18:35 1:11:24 0:47:26 2 Courtney ATKINSON, AUS 2:22:49 0:17:45 1:18:11 0:45:25 Hometown hero Ben Allen held on for fifth to a rousing 3 Braden CURRIE, NZL 2:23:46 0:19:17 1:16:12 0:46:40 applause at the finish line. Allen is beloved in this part of the 4 Bradley WEISS, RSA 2:24:09 0:19:06 1:16:18 0:46:52 world (he grew up about an hour away in Wollongong) and 5 Ben ALLEN, AUS 2:25:35 0:18:29 1:15:02 0:50:53 he put a ton of effort into hosting and pre-race promotion. 6 Brendan SEXTON, AUS 2:25:57 2:25:57 7 Oliver SHAW, NZL 2:30:30 0:21:00 1:18:33 0:49:11 “It’s a win, even though I didn’t win,” said Allen. “It’s so great 8 Alex REITHMEIER, AUS 2:31:45 0:18:40 1:23:01 0:48:16 to see the race go off so well, and the community get 9 Jarad KOHLAR, AUS 2:35:01 0:22:35 1:17:41 0:53:04 involved, and everybody is happy. Jacqui and I, my family, 10 Craig EVANS, USA 2:36:39 0:18:53 1:19:30 0:56:52 we love the sport and the people and wanted to do our best Also: Joshua Kenyon, Joseph Miller 35 2014 XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW

For the women it was another amazing performance by Bermudian Flora Duffy who finished far ahead of XTERRA World Champ and placed 9th overall. Samuels was first woman out of the water and an equally amazing 2nd overall out of the swim. Jacqui Slack put together three solid legs of swim/bike/run that netted her 3rd woman. XTERRA Saipan winner Carina Wasle 4th and the “Swiss Miss” Renata Bucher 5th.

"It all came together,” said Duffy, who won the XTERRA West Championship two weeks ago and has clearly solidified herself as the woman to beat this year. “I felt great coming into T2 after a really tough bike course and just hammered the first 2K of the run. I just focused on my turnover because I knew Nicky is a strong runner and I wasn’t sure how far behind she was.”

Samuels was just about four minutes back at the bike-to-run transition, but coming off a cold and without the power she had hoped to put up a worthy fight.

“Having been sick for a week, to finish in 2nd is a great result,” said Samuels. “I’m not so good on the single track and this race was fast, and a bit technical through the bush and over trees. Having been racing World Series for nine years I can’t expect to be riding a mountain bike that well, so am justly happy for the result.”

Slack was the third woman out of the swim more than two minutes back and hoping to catch Duffy and Samuels by T2 but it wasn’t in the cards.

“I couldn’t have done much better so really happy with the effort,” said Slack. “It’s great to have such talent in the field and keeps the drive going to get faster and stronger.”

Renata Bucher had the second-best bike split of the day behind Duffy but Wasle was able to catch her on the run to take the fourth spot. The entire field echoed the same sentiment, that New South Wales is a special place.

“This area is gorgeous,” said Duffy. “Growing up in Bermuda I’m kind of a beach snob, so it takes a lot for a beach to impress me and I can tell you it’s gorgeous here, that white sand and water is beautiful. I really enjoyed the swim and seeing Kangaroos, it definitely felt like Australia.”

36 2014 XTERRA ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW

ELITE WOMEN Po Name, Country Time Swim Bike Run 1 Flora DUFFY, BER 2:33:07 0:18:28 1:22:28 0:50:24 2 Nicky SAMUELS, NZL 2:40:07 0:18:26 1:26:14 0:53:49 3 Jacqui SLACK, GBR 2:44:29 0:20:53 1:25:56 0:56:01 4 Carina WASLE, AUT 2:46:58 0:22:56 1:27:46 0:54:12 5 Renata BUCHER, SUI 2:51:19 0:22:52 1:23:49 1:03:08 6 Lizzie ORCHARD, NZL 2:56:24 0:23:21 1:34:59 0:56:10 7 Mieko CAREY, JPN 2:57:27 0:22:57 1:30:21 1:02:20 8 Dimity-Lee DUKE, AUS 2:58:13 0:23:07 1:34:42 0:57:46 9 Jody MIELKE, AUS 3:20:49 0:22:49 1:40:55 1:13:55

NEILSON, SIMPSON WIN AMATEUR CROWNS

Daniel Neilson (pictured) and Jessica Simpson were the top overall amateur finishers, and they (along with the fastest amateurs in each division) were named XTERRA Australia National Champs and awarded a qualifying spot into XTERRA Worlds for their efforts.

“Altogether a fabulous first XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship race,” said Dave Nicholas. “The location is superb, the trails got high marks for great riding and fun. Toss in a few dozen Kangaroos, big, loud Cockatoo's flying all over, Kookabura's cooing in the woods, spicy meat pies and strong beer and you have the start of a classic event for years to come. And, there's more to a great event than just the racing. A great pasta party the night before and an even better after party at the Callala RSL. Sunny but cool weather and a race start at 11am adds to the pleasure. Just a few hours south of Sydney, you really need to think about coming Down Under to see the sights and have a great race to cap it off.”

37 38 39 TEAM UNLIMITED

TEAM Unlimited, founded in 1988, is the Hawaii-based television, events, and marketing company that brought off-road triathlon and trail running to the world under the brand name XTERRA. From a one-off race held on the most remote island chain in the world XTERRA evolved into an endurance sports lifestyle with worldwide appeal. Over the past 20 years XTERRA transcended its status as ‘just a race’ to become a bona-fide way of life for thousands of intrepid athletes as well as an emerging brand in the outdoor industry. In 2016 XTERRA will offer more than 200 off-road triathlons and trail running events in 30+ countries worldwide and produce 10 adventure television shows for international distribution. Online at xterraplanet.com / xterracontent.com.

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 XTERRA in Australia - Jody Mielke and Paul Amey win the XTERRA Australia Championship 2002: The inaugural XTERRA Saipan Championship, and races in Germany and the Czech Republic. The 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 2005: First year of the stand-alone XTERRA Trail Running Series and Nevada Passage Adventure Competition. 2011: More than 100 XTERRA off-road triathlon races and 70+ XTERRA Trail Runs. The first year of the XTERRA Asia- Pacific Tour with races in the Philippines, Saipan, Guam, and Japan 2016: More than 300 events in 30 countries worldwide, including expanded Asia-Pacific Tour with races in Korea, New Zealand, Philippines, Australia, Saipan, Tahiti and Malaysia, and the 3rd annual Asia-Pacific Championship.

ELITE ENERGY

The XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship race is produced by TEAM Unlimited LLC in conjunction with Elite Energy Events. Elite Energy is a sports and athlete management-marketing firm, dedicated to lifestyle sports development, creating new standards in competition, format, equipment and competitor satisfaction. Established in 1999, Elite Energy manages mass participation sporting, music and entertainment events where their company has produced many of Australia's leading multisport events. Elite Energy is one of Australia’s premier event management specialists.

Their mission is to "make events memorable". Quality is a vital component in the development of their events and their goal is to satisfy the needs of sponsors, competitors, the triathlon industry and the public in a safe, healthy and memorable atmosphere.

Mark "Emo" Emerton, the founder and CEO of Elite Energy, served as the logistics manager for the Triathlon, Marathon, Race Walks, and Road Cycling events of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Learn more at www.EliteEnergy.com.au

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