2010 PRESS GUIDE APR. 24-25 XTERRA WEST CHAMPIONSHIP 1.5km swim + 30km mountain bike + 10km trail run HENDERSON, NV
The World’s Greatest Off-Road Triathlon 2010 XTERRA WEST CHAMPIONSHIP SPONSORS
The 2010 XTERRA West Championship is presented by Paul Mitchell and Degree Men Adventure. Sponsors include Destination Henderson, Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort, the Utah Sports Commission, XTERRA.TV, GU Energy Gel, Gatorade, Zorrel, Hawaiian Airlines, and the XTERRA Alliance - Wetsuits, Gear, Cycling, Fitness, and Footwear. In 1996 mountain biking and triathlon met in a duel of the fittest on the island of Maui. The race consisted of an open- ocean swim, a mountain bike race, and a trail run. It represented a bold new racing format that attracted outdoor enthusiasts, adventure seekers, mountain bikers and triathletes. The mountain bikers brought their laid-back style and bold self-assurance. The triathletes brought their hard-core training and avid dedication. They soon discovered a common spirit and attitude that pulled them together. For as different as they are, neither could resist the challenges and thrills this new multisport offered.
Since that day XTERRA has grown into the world’s leading off-road triathlon with more than 100 races in 15 countries this year, including 67 in the XTERRA America Tour alone.
The typical XTERRA is comprised of the following: 1.5 kilometer (0.93-mile) swim in an ocean, lake, or river 30 kilometer (18.6-mile) mountain bike on off-road trails 10 kilometer (6.2-mile) trail run on a variety of surfaces
ON THE COVER: Nico Lebrun, former XTERRA World Champion, 2010 marks the 15th consecutive year of XTERRA racing. at last year’s XTERRA West Championship in Henderson, Nevada. Photo courtesy Nils Nilsen The XTERRA West Championship is the first of five regionals in the America Tour, and offers up $10,500 in TABLE OF CONTENTS prize money for pros and 41 qualifying spots into the XTERRA World Championship for amateurs. Age group XTERRA America Tour Introduction ...... 3 competitors will also earn points in pursuit of winning their XTERRA West Championship Preview/Schedule ...... 4-5 region and qualifying for the invite-only XTERRA USA Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon and XTERRA University ...... 6 Championship held in Utah on Sept. 25. XTERRA West Championship Course Map ...... 7 XTERRA Pro Race Preview ...... 8-9 This guide will breakdown the who, what, when, where and 2009 XTERRA West Championship Results ...... 10 why of the XTERRA West Championship - and introduce 2010 XTERRA West Championship Pro Start List ...... 11 XTERRA Pro Biographies ...... 12-28 you to some of the professional athletes that will race in the 2009 XTERRA U.S. Pro Series Results ...... 29 world’s premier off-road triathlon at Loews Lake Las Vegas 2010 XTERRA U.S. Pro Series Overview ...... 30 Resort on Sunday, April 25. 2010 XTERRA U.S. Pro Series Prize Money Breakdown . . . .31 Past XTERRA U.S. Pro Series Results ...... 32 2010 XTERRA America Tour Schedule ...... 33 How the XTERRA America Tour Works for amateurs . . . .34-36 2009 XTERRA USA Amateur Championship Review ...... 37 2009 XTERRA Age Group Regional Champions ...... 38-39 2010 XTERRA World Tour Schedule ...... 40 Produced by 2010 XTERRA World Championship Preview ...... 41 XTERRA Trail Running Series Overview and Schedule . .42-43 How XTERRA started & the world of XTERRA overview . .44-45 XTERRAGear.Com, TEAM Unlimited, and XTERRA.TV . .46-48
3 XTERRA WEST CHAMPIONSHIP KICKS OFF 2010 PRO SERIES
Forget the glitz and glamour, the world’s greatest athletes are headed to Vegas for the dust and dirt of the XTERRA West Championship off-road triathlon at Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort on April 25.
More than 30 professionals - some of the best triathletes, mountain bikers, and adventure racers on the planet - are headed to Henderson for the showdown that entails a one- mile swim in Lake Las Vegas, an 18-mile mountain bike up, down, & around the expansive and private desert surround- ing the resort, and a 6.2-mile trail run that will test the endurance and determination of even the fittest athletes.
Among them are two-time Olympian and three-time XTERRA World Champ Conrad “the Caveman” Stoltz from South Africa, French multisport legend and three-time XTERRA Euorpean Tour Champion Nico Lebrun, and “There could be no better place to kick off the season than America’s best off-road triathlete Josiah Middaugh. at Lake Las Vegas,” said David Nicholas, the managing director of the XTERRA World Tour. “Whether you gamble In the women’s race you’ll find America’s most successful or not, Las Vegas is one fascinating place. The lights, the mountain biker of all-time, Shonny Vanlandingham, Olympic shows, the restaurants are absolutely world class, and now triathlete Fabiola Corona from Mexico, four-time XTERRA we have an XTERRA race at a first class resort just minutes European Tour Champion Renata Bucher from Switzerland, from the Strip and the airport. This event will be epic.” and three-time XTERRA World Champion Melanie McQuaid from Canada.
This race is the first of five XTERRA regional championship races in the nationwide XTERRA America Tour that boasts 67 races in 37 states.
There is $10,500 in prize money for pros and 41 qualifying slots into the XTERRA World Championship up for grabs to amateur racers. More than 300 athletes representing 25 U.S. States and nine countries are signed up for the main event.
Aside from the championship race there is also a half- distance XTERRA Sport race, an off-road duathlon, relay team competitions, and 5, 10, and 21km trail runs.
In addition, the best Paul Mitchell stylists in Nevada will be The course itself is nothing short of spectacular. The swim onsite giving haircuts in exchange for a $15 donation to the starts underneath the beautiful palm trees and white sand Challenged Athletes Foundation, and the post-race party beach of Loews luxurious Mediterranean style resort which will be the stuff of legends, unfolding onsite at the Loews sits adjacent to the 8th hole of Reflection Bay golf course. Hotel Nuala Pool with great food, music, and swimming. Following the swim participants enter a virtual moonscape with the various shades of red, sand, and grey of the southern Nevada desert.
4 XTERRA WEST CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
LOEWS LAKE LAS VEGAS RESORT /// APRIL 22 - 25
THURSDAY, APRIL 22 1-5pm XTERRA Trail Run and XTERRA West Championship and Sport Registration and Packet Pickup* at Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort, Tangier Room
FRIDAY, APRIL 23 1-5pm XTERRA Trail Run and XTERRA West Championship and Sport Registration and Packet Pickup* at Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort, Tangier Room All day Upper Nuala Pool open to athletes. Show your race # and get 10% discount on all F&B at the pool.
SATURDAY, APRIL 24 6:30-7:30am Late Trail Run Packet Pickup at Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort, Tangier Room 8:00am-4:00pm Registration and Packet Pickup* for XTERRA West Championship/Sport race at Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort, Tangier Room 8:00am-4:00pm Expo Open 8:00am XTERRA Lake Las Vegas 21km Trail Run Start 8:05am XTERRA Lake Las Vegas 10km Trail Run Start 8:10am XTERRA Lake Las Vegas 5km Run/Walk Start 10:30am XTERRA Trail Run Awards Ceremony, finish line area 11:00am XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell, hosted by Conrad Stoltz and Melanie McQuaid - tent adjacent to transition/finish 12:00pm Race director “Kahuna Dave” Pre-Race Briefing, tent adjacent to transition/finish 12:00pm Bike/Run Courses open for practice All day Upper Nuala Pool open to athletes. Show your race # and get 10% discount on all F&B at the pool.
SUNDAY, APRIL 25 6:30am Transition and Body Marking open 6:30am-7:30am Late Packet Pickup* (no new registration) at Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort, Tangier Room 8:00am-1:00pm Expo Open 8:00am XTERRA Sport and Duathlon Start (750m swim or 3K trail run, 15K MTB, 5K trail run) at Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort Hotel Beach 8:30am XTERRA West Championship Start (1.5K swim, 30K MTB, 10K trail run) at Loews Hotel Beach 9:30am-1:30pm Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon, a benefit for the Challenged Athletes Foundation (in the big tent near transition/finish) 9:30/9:44am XTERRA Sport male/female winners expected 10:45/11:15am XTERRA Championship male/female winners expected 12:30pm Bike course cut-off for all athletes 12:30pm XTERRA Championship/Sport Awards Ceremony 1:00-6:00pm Post Race Party, Upper Nuala Pool All day Upper Nuala Pool open to athletes. Show your race # and get 10% discount on all F&B at the pool.
5 PAUL MITCHELL CUT-A-THON AND XTERRA UNIVERSITY
Founded to help physically challenged athletes reach their athletic goals, the non-profit Challenged Athletes Foundation is the official charity of the Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon at each championship stop on the XTERRA America Tour.
Stylists will cut hair from 9:30am-1:30pm on Sunday, April 25 at the finish line area of the XTERRA West Championship and all proceeds will go to the CAF. XTERRA UNIVERSITY Presented by Paul Mitchell
Learn the art of XTERRA from the best off-road multisport athletes on the planet - 3-time XTERRA World Champions Conrad Stoltz and Melanie McQuaid. XTERRA University is a must for first-timers and anyone looking to sharpen their skills in swimming, mountain biking, trail running, and nutrition. Conrad and Melanie will even break down into West Champs course specifics and answer any and all questions. Best part is, the clinic is FREE. Saturday at 11:00am at the transition area/finish line at Loews.
6 XTERRA WEST CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE MAP
For an interacitve map visit http://maps.onemillionrevolutions.org/map.jsp?mapID=1487
The XTERRA West Championship starts elegantly below a “At first I thought this course would be too easy because it’s row of palm trees on a white sand beach in front of Loews not real technical, but then with all the riders churning up the peach-colored Mediterranean style resort. The swim is in dirt it really made a lot of sections loose and tricky,” said the clean and clear (68-degree or so) water of Lake Las Stoltz after last year’s race. Vegas. Swimmers will work their way out of the Loews beach cove, past the 8th hole of Reflection Bay golf course, The 10km run is comprised of two grueling 3-mile loops with around a pair of buoys and back. 500+ feet of climbing each, and runners will get a scrunchie for their wrist as they head out on the second lap. Both the bike and run transitions are at the Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort parking lot. The 30km bike course is a non- One of the cool things about this desert course, described stop barrage of short, steep, one and two-minute climbs fol- as “lunar technical on baked clay”, is the multitude of times lowed by quick descents – all on a virtual moonscape high- where you can see your opponent around the turn, just up lighted with the various shades of red, sand, and grey that the hill, or coming one way or another from out-and-backs the desert dishes out. There are more than 2,000-feet of on the run. climbing (1,000+ per lap) and lots of room to pass. 7 PRO RACE PREVIEW
Despite a strong cast of up-and-coming superstars in the Middaugh, who came off the bike in front last year but lost XTERRA Pro ranks, the resident champions remain the pre- his lead on the run in part because he couldn’t go fast on the race favorites for the 2010 season opener. downhills due to a lingering iliotibial band injury, will be one to watch. He had surgery in the off-season to fix the IT band Conrad “the Caveman” Stoltz and Melanie McQuaid are still issue and it’ll be interesting to see what kind of speed he No. 1, and carry with them a combined 10 U.S. Series brings to Vegas. championships (7 for Stoltz, 3 for McQuaid). In each of the last three seasons those two have started the year with a The West Champs will mark the return of the young gun win at the West Champs. Dan Hugo (3rd last year), who missed the USA and World Championship because of a nasty flu bug. Hugo said he’d Last year’s race here in the desert was about as close as it be coming back “with a vengeance” in 2010 and has so far gets for both of them with Stoltz overtaking Josiah Middaugh won the XTERRA South Africa Championship and the on the run to win by 32 seconds and McQuaid holding off XTERRA Estrade Real off-road tri in Brazil. Shonny Vanlandingham by just 23 seconds.
Middaugh and Stoltz Hugo
The men’s pro field is stacked and familiar with 10 of the top 11 from last year’s series on the start list (missing only No. 4 Mike Vine who is starting a new job and moving to Edmonton next week). Stoltz is the man to beat and will by vying for his 32nd career XTERRA championship.
Nico Lebrun comes in with the most mojo having won three straight races - the Northeast Cup, Mountain Cup, and USA Championship - to finish the ’09 America Tour, and then coming up just 55-seconds short of winning his second Spectators can also expect plenty of chase from the chase XTERRA World Title in Maui. The Frenchman started his pack as the “Colorado Boys” will be out in full force with season with a third place finish at XTERRA Portugal on April Seth Wealing, Branden Rakita, Brian Smith, Cody Waite, 3, and would no doubt like to exact some revenge on this and Will Kelsay all shedding a cold mountain winter to race course which knocked him out with a mechanical on the in the warm desert air. bike last year. 8 PRO RACE PREVIEW
WOMEN’S RACE Paterson, who made a big statement when she finished 2nd at XTERRA Worlds in October, recently introduced herself McQuaid has been a force in the sport for a decade, and to the 70.3 crowd by placing second at Ironman 70.3 was dominating at the start of the ’09 America Tour with five California in March. She’ll come into this one with a new, straight wins. After last year’s West Champs she said, “I lighter bike and a whole lot of confidence. thought this was one of the hardest XTERRA races ever. There was just no place to hide and no place to rest and not With the U.S. Pro Series counting the best four scores out a second to catch my breath. The girls are just top notch of five regional races before nationals there is little room for and in great shape and have a couple races under their bad races. You can be sure that everyone mentioned here belts.” is aiming to get the first one, and the heat is on in the desert.
Those “girls” McQuaid is referring to are all back – Shonny Vanlandingham (2nd), Lesley Paterson (3rd), and Renata Bucher Bucher (4th) and once again they all have “a couple races under their belt.”
Bucher and Vanlandingham started early with nearly a month in the Marianas with Bucher coming out on top at XTERRA Saipan and XTERRA Guam. The “Swiss Miss” also got her fifth-straight XTERRA European Tour title defense underway with a win at XTERRA Portugal.
9 LAST YEAR AT THE XTERRA WEST CHAMPIONSHIP
TOP 19 PRO MEN Pl Name Age Hometown Final Time Pts Purse 1 Conrad Stoltz 35 Stellenbosch, South Africa 2:16:06 100 $1,800 2 Josiah Middaugh 30 Vail, Colorado 2:16:38 90 $1,250 3 Dan Hugo 23 Stellenbosch, South Africa 2:21:12 82 $800 4 Mike Vine 35 Victoria, B.C., Canada 2:24:06 75 $500 5 Jasper Blake 35 Victoria, B.C., Canada 2:25:40 69 $400 6 Steve Larsen 39 Bend, Oregon 2:26:34 63 $300 7 Justin Thomas 34 Reno, Nevada 2:28:24 58 $200 8 Brian Smith 33 Gunnison, Colorado 2:28:40 53 9 Craig Evans 31 Spring Hill, Tennessee 2:29:26 49 10 Brandon Rakita 28 Manitou Springs, Colorado 2:31:20 45 Also: Ryan Ignatz (41), Seth Wealing (37), Cody Waite (34), Will Kelsay (31), Jeff Smith (28), Damian Gonzalez, Kyle Hughes, Brad Gilson, Ryan DeCook.
TOP 14 PRO WOMEN Pl Name Age Hometown Final Time Pts Purse 1 Melanie McQuaid 35 Victoria, B.C., Canada 2:42:09 100 $1,800 2 Shonny Vanlandingham 39 Durango, Colorado 2:42:32 90 $1,250 3 Lesley Paterson 28 Sterling, Scotland 2:43:14 82 $800 4 Renata Bucher 31 Lucerne, Switzerland 2:46:45 75 $500 5 Christine Jeffrey 36 Guelph, Ontario, Canada 2:50:30 69 $400 6 Emma Garrard 27 Truckee, California 2:50:47 63 7 Rebecca Dussault 28 Crested Butte, Colorado 2:51:06 58 8 Jenny Smith 36 Westport, New Zealand 2:52:26 53 9 Danelle Kabush 34 Canmore, Alberta, Canada 2:54:39 49 10 Jenny Tobin 39 Boise, Idaho 2:55:35 45 Also: Ingrid Rolles (41) Sari Anderson (37), Tracy Thelen (34), Alexandra Borrelly (31).
XTERRA WEST CHAMPIONS (AGE GROUP WOMEN) XTERRA WEST CHAMPIONS (AGE GROUP MEN) Division Name Time Hometown Division Name Time Hometown 15 - 19 Katherine Pollard 3:54:25 Roseville, CA 15 - 19 Brandon Reinhard 4:54:02 S. Lake Tahoe, CA 25 - 29 Erin Collins 3:15:12 Provo, UT 20 - 24 Ben Dewitt 2:46:19 Ventura, CA 30 - 34 Brandyn Roark-Gray 3:15:36 Aztec, NM 25 - 29 Luke Jay 2:47:11 Littleton, CO 35 - 39 Cary Kinross-Wright 3:09:51 Golden, CO 30 - 34 Adam Wirth 2:38:12 Boise, ID 40 - 44 Keri Grosse 3:15:55 Leavenworth, WA 35 - 39 Brad Gilson 2:47:35 Draper, UT 45 - 49 Tamara Tabeek 3:22:45 San Diego, CA 40 - 44 Cal Zaryski 2:37:38 Calgary, Canada 50 - 54 Barbara Peterson 3:36:33 Berkeley, CA 45 - 49 Tom Lyons 2:50:58 Reno, NV 55 - 59 Cindi Toepel 3:58:45 Littleton, CO 50 - 54 Cliff Millemann 2:56:48 Davis, CA 60+ Lois Marquart 4:56:46 Lakewood, WA 55 - 59 John Royson 3:07:48 Albany, CA * TOP AMATEURS 60 - 64 Kent Robison 3:09:12 Reno, NV 65 - 69 Peter Wood 3:39:45 La Jolla, CA PC Andy May 3:35:55 Dublin, CA
10 XTERRA WEST CHAMPIONSHIP PRO START LIST
The professionals competing in the West ‘09 Rank - Name - Age, Hometown Championship are among the best mountain bikers, 1 - Conrad Stoltz - 36, Stellenbosch, South Africa triathletes, and adventure racers on the planet. 2 - Nicolas Lebrun -36, Digne, France 3 - Josiah Middaugh - 31, Vail, Colorado ‘09 Rank = Final rank in 2009 XTERRA U.S. Pro Series 5 - Dan Hugo - 24, Stellenbosch, South Africa NR = Not ranked in 2009 XTERRA U.S. Pro Series 6 - Seth Wealing - 31, Boulder, Colorado 7 - Branden Rakita - 29, Manitou Springs, Colorado 8 - Brian Smith - 34, Gunnison, Colorado 9 - Craig Evans - 32, Hendersonville, Tennessee 10 - Cody Waite - 31, Lakewood, Colorado 11 - Will Kelsay - 28, Boulder, Colorado 16 - Ryan DeCook - 29, Rochester, Michigan 17 - Scott Gall - 35, Cedar Falls, Iowa 26 - Brad Zoller - 32, Avon, Colorado 28 - Chris Newell - 41, Reisterstown, Maryland 29 - Damian Gonzalez - 33, Stockton, California NR - Trevor Glavin - 30, San Diego, California NR - Julian Langer - 20, Vienna, Austria NR - Sean Bechtel - 26, Caledon, Ontario, Canada
‘09 Rank - Name - Age, Hometown 1 - Melanie McQuaid - 36, Victoria, B.C., Canada 2 - Shonny Vanlandingham - 40, Durango, Colorado 3 - Renata Bucher - 32, Lucerne, Switzerland 5 - Christine Jeffrey - 37, Guelph, Ontario, Canada 6 - Jenny Smith - 37, Westport, New Zealand 7 - Emma Garrard - 28, Truckee, California START LIST BY COUNTRY/ALPHA 11 - Lesley Paterson - 29, Scotland (San Diego, CA) Pro Men 12 - Tracy Thelen - 30, Colorado Springs, CO USA - Ryan DeCook, Craig Evans, Scott Gall, 19 - Brandyn Roark Gray - 30, Aztec, New Mexico Trevor Glavin, Damian Gonzalez, Will Kelsay, NR - Rosemarie Gerspacher - 33, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Josiah Middaugh, Chris Newell, Branden Rakita, NR - Katie Ellis - 25, Phoenix, Arizona Brian Smith, Cody Waite, Seth Wealing, Brad Zoller NR - Fabiola Corona - 29, Mexico City, Mexico AUSTRIA - Julian Langer NR - Darelle Parker - 41, London, England CANADA - Sean Bechtel FRANCE - Nico Lebrun SOUTH AFRICA - Dan Hugo, Conrad Stoltz ------Pro Women USA - Katie Ellis, Emma Garrard, Brandyn Roark Gray, Tracy Thelen, Shonny Vanlandingham CANADA - Rosemarie Gerspacher, Christine Jeffrey, Melanie McQuaid GREAT BRITAIN - Darelle Parker MEXICO - Fabiola Corona NEW ZEALAND - Jenny Smith SCOTLAND - Lesley Paterson SWITZERLAND - Renata Bucher
11 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
CONRAD “The Caveman” STOLTZ Stellenbosch, South Africa Conrad 2001-02 & 2007 XTERRA World Champ 7-time XTERRA U.S. Pro Series Champ
FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 1 PERSONAL: Born October 23, 1973 lives in Reno, Nevada during the racing season...a two-time Olympic triathlete, finished 20th in 2000 when he was the first off the bike, then dnf’d in Athens...started BMX racing at age seven, running at nine, biathlon at 13, triathlon and cycling at 14, and pro triathlon at 18...“It’s in my blood.” WEBSITE: conradstoltz.com SPONSORS: Specialized, Avia, Suunto, Stuffitts, Clif Bar, Profile Design, Oakley, Squirt Lube. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 10th year. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: A 7-time XTERRA U.S. Pro Series Champion (2001, ‘02, ‘03, ‘05 & ‘07, ‘08, ‘09), and the only 3-time men’s pro XTERRA World Champion. 2001: Burst onto the XTERRA scene and won the Pro Series and World title as a rookie. 2002: Won in Keystone, California, Tahoe, and Maui. 2003: Won first race at Big Bear, placed 2nd in Richmond, 3rd in Keystone, won in Tahoe, and won Pro Points Series. 2004: Placed second in Richmond, 6th in Keystone, second in Big Bear, and fifth in Tahoe. Finished third in the XTERRA U.S. Pro Series, and dnf’d at XTERRA Worlds. 2005: Won five straight before placing 2nd in Keystone. Won XTERRA South Africa, the West, East, and Midwest Champs in Milwaukee, was second in Keystone before win- ning the inaugural XTERRA Brazil. Placed second in Tahoe but still won XTERRA Pro Series title. Placed 9th at Worlds. 2006: Won XTERRA South Africa, missed the first U.S. race of the year in California with injuries, returned in time for Alabama where he was fourth, and a week later he won DNF in Richmond, was 2nd at XTERRA UK, 6th at the East Championship. Placed 8th in Milwaukee after a XTERRA Czech, and 2nd at XTERRA France. Won the series of crashes and injuries and then 4th at the Mountain XTERRA Mountain Championship in August, placed 8th at Championships in Utah. A pre-ride crash at the XTERRA the USA Championship but still edged countryman Dan USA Championship kept him out of nationals and worlds. Hugo to win XTERRA U.S. Pro Series title for the 6th time. 2007: Won XTERRA South Africa for fourth straight year, Suffered a flat while leading at the XTERRA World then the XTERRA West Champs. Won Southeast and East Championship in Maui and eventually finished 12th after a Champs on back-to-back weekends. DNF’d at Utah series of mechanicals. because of a mechanical. Won USA Championship, Pro LAST YEAR: Won XTERRA West, Midwest, and Southeast Series title, then World Champs for third time. Named the Cup Races, was 5th at the Northwest Cup, won the Atlantic Off-Road triathlete of the year at Endurance Sports Awards. Cup, finished 3rd in a photo-finish at the Northeast Cup, and 2008: Placed 4th at XTERRA South Africa, won the West won the XTERRA USA Championship (and the U.S. Pro Champs for 6th time in his career, won the Southeast title, Series for the 7th time). Placed 5th at XTERRA Worlds. 12 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
NICOLAS “Nico” LEBRUN Digne-les-Bains, France Nico 2009 XTERRA USA Champion 2005 XTERRA World Champion
FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 2 PERSONAL: Born September 4, 1973. WEBSITE: nico-lebrun.com SPONSORS: Avia, Cannondale, CG04, Claranor, Edge, Profile/titec, geax, met, Suunto, scientec, selle Italia, Skinfit XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 10th year. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Finished in the top four of the first four XTERRA U.S. Pro Series from 2001-2004. 13 times on the podium in world championships in three different sports - XTERRA, Duathlon, XTERRA Winter and Winter Triathlon (world champ in '99 & '00). The crowning moment in his career, the ultimate victory, was in Maui in 2005. He received a congratulatory letter from French President Jacques Chirac and was recognized as the off- road triathlete of the year at Competitor's Endurance Sports Awards that year after winning XTERRA Worlds. 2003: Third at Big Bear, won Richmond, won Czech Republic, placed 4th in Keystone, won XTERRA Germany, and was 3rd in Tahoe. Finished 3rd in XTERRA European Tour standings, and 3rd in XTERRA USA Pro Points Series. 2004: Won XTERRA European Championship in the Czech Republic, finished second in Austria, third in Germany, 7th in Holland, was 2nd overall in the European Tour behind Marceau. In the U.S. he was 3rd at Richmond, 2nd in Keystone, 11th in Big Bear, and fourth at Tahoe. Placed 4th in U.S. Pro Series. 2005: 2nd at XTERRA Czech, 3rd at Italy, won Austria, 3rd in Spain, won XTERRA Germany, 2nd in European Tour. Won XTERRA World Championship more than three min- utes ahead of Llanos. Had the fastest bike split (1:29:13). 2006: Finished 2nd at XTERRA France, won XTERRA Italy, Czech, and Denmark. Placed 3rd at XTERRA Germany and won the XTERRA European Tour. Also finished 3rd at the XTERRA East Championship in Richmond, and was 8th at World Championship LAST YEAR: Finished 2nd at XTERRA Winter Worlds, 2007: Finished 3rd at XTERRA Italy and Denmark, and DNF at XTERRA West Cup, 5th at Midwest Cup, 5th at won XTERRA Austria and UK to win Euro Tour for second Southeast Cup, 2nd at Northwest Cup, 3rd at Atlantic Cup, straight season. Placed 7th at XTERRA Worlds. 2nd at South Central Cup, 2nd at XTERRA Mexico, then 2008: Finished 2nd at XTERRA European Championship won Northeast Cup, Mountain Cup and USA Champs. in Italy, then won XTERRA UK, Czech, France-Auron and Finished in 2nd place, just 55-seconds behind Eneko France-Mondelieu. Won 3rd straight XTERRA European Llanos, at the XTERRA World Championship. It was his Tour Title. DNFd at XTERRA Worlds. fourth time in the top three in Maui (2002, ‘03, ‘05, ‘09). 13 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
JOSIAH MIDDAUGH Vail, Colorado Josiah 2009 XTERRA South Central Champ 5-time XTERRA National Champ
FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 3 PERSONAL: Born July 25, 1978 from East Jordan, Michigan...earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health fitness from Central Michigan Univ. where he ran x-country and track...works as an endurance coach and trainer. WEBSITE: josiahmiddaugh.com SPONSORS: Felt, First Endurance, AVIA, Titec, Carmichael Training Systems XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 10th year. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Has been the top American in the XTERRA U.S. Pro Series five of the last six years. 3x USSSA Snowshoe National Champ (2002, ‘03, ‘08), 5-time North American Snowshoe Champ, 2006 USAT Winter Triathlon National Champ, and 2005 USAT Long Course National Champ. Before turning pro he was the ‘02 XTERRA Amateur USA & World Champ in 20-24 division. 2004: 7th in Richmond, won Keystone, 3rd in Big Bear and Lake Tahoe, won XTERRA Canada. Top American finisher in Tahoe where he posted the fastest bike and run. Placed 2nd in Pro Series and top American (3rd overall) at Worlds. 2005: 7th in Temecula, 10th in Richmond, 6th in Milwaukee, 3rd in Keystone, 9th in Tahoe, 6th in Pro Series (top American). Was also the top American at the World Championship (10th overall) for 2nd straight year. 2006: Finished 3rd at Temecula then broke his knee-cap in a training ride before the second race of the year in Alabama. Came back in time for Tahoe where he finished 7th, followed that with a 4th at XTERRA Worlds. 2007: Finished 4th at West Champs, 3rd in Alabama, 4th in Richmond, 2nd in Utah, 4th at the USA Championship and 3rd in the Pro Series (top American). Was 17th at Worlds. 2008: Placed 2nd at XTERRA Winter Worlds (by 1 second). Placed 4th at West Champs, won East Champs, was 5th at Mountain Champs, 3rd at XTERRA USA. Top American in Pro Series for 4th time. 7th at Worlds (3x top American). LAST YEAR: Placed 4th at XTERRA Winter Worlds in Utah, 2nd at XTERRA West Cup, 3rd at Midwest Cup, 2nd at Southeast Cup, won Teva Mtn Games in his hometown, was 2nd at Atlantic Cup, won South Central Cup, was 3rd at Mtn Cup and 3rd at the XTERRA USA Championship. Placed 9th at XTERRA Worlds (2nd fastest bike split), and was the 2nd American. 14 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
DAN HUGO Stellenbosch, South Africa Dan 2009 XTERRA Northwest Cup Champ ‘08 & ‘10 XTERRA South Africa Champ
FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 5 PERSONAL: Born July 1, 1985 in Worcester...moved to Stellenbosch, Conrad Stoltz’ hometown, when he was in the 10th grade. Lives in Truckee, CA during the season. WEBSITE: dghugo.com SPONSORS: Specialized, Jeep Apparel, Puma, Tropitone, Garmin, and EA Sports. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Fifth year. Placed 4th at the 2006 XTERRA Brazil Championship in his first XTERRA. 2007: Finished 2nd at XTERRA South Africa and 6th at the XTERRA West Championship. Was in third place during the bike portion of the Southeast Champs in Alabama when he crashed and broke his hand. The injury kept him out for the rest of the season. 2008: Won the XTERRA South Africa Championship, was 2nd at XTERRA West Championship, Southeast Championship (by just 16 seconds to Stoltz) and East Championship (by 24 seconds to Middaugh). Placed 9th at XTERRA UK, DNF at XTERRA Czech, was 12th at XTERRA France-Auron, 4th at USA Championship, missed winning the Pro Series by 8 points (to Stoltz) and placed 8th at XTERRA Worlds. LAST YEAR: Placed 3rd at the XTERRA West Cup, 4th at the Midwest Cup, 4th at the Southeast Cup, won the Northwest Cup, was 5th at the Atlantic Cup, 3rd at the South Central Cup, and 5th at the Northeast Cup. THIS YEAR: Won the XTERRA South Africa Championship for the second time in three years, and the XTERRA Estrade Real off-road tri in Brazil.
15 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
SETH WEALING Boulder, Colorado Seth 2009 XTERRA Mexico Champion
FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 6 PERSONAL: Born November 21, 1978 in Remington, Indiana...earned bachelor degrees in architecture and environmental design from Ball State University...is a practicing architect with a 40+ hour a week job. WEBSITE: sethwealingusa.com SPONSORS: Mafia Racing, Felt Bicycles, PBR Beer, TYR, Stan’s No-Tubes, MAXXIS, Fizik. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Ninth year. Raced in selected XTERRA’s in 2000 thru 2002 before concentrating on World Cup & Olympic racing. Returned to XTERRA in 2005. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2006 XTERRA USA Champ, 2002 USA Elite Triathlon National Championship, member of the 2003 national select team, placed third at ITU World Cup race in Tongyeong, South Korea. 2005: Placed 4th at Richmond, DNF’d in Keystone, and was the top American at the XTERRA USA Championship in Nevada where he finished fourth. 2006: Finished 2nd at the first two races of the year in California & Alabama, was 7th in Richmond, 2nd in Utah, won his first championship race - the XTERRA United Kingdom Championship on Sept. 2., then won the XTERRA USA Championship, becoming the first American to ever win the race and the first American since Michael Tobin in 2000 to win XTERRA U.S. Pro Points Series. Placed 3rd, top American, at XTERRA Worlds in his first-ever attempt. 2007: Finished 4th at XTERRA New Zealand, 12th at XTERRA West, 6th in Alabama, 2nd in Richmond, won the Mountain Championship in Utah, was 7th at XTERRA UK, 5th at the USA Championship, 4th in the Pro Series, and 177th in Maui after a series of mechanicals on the bike. 2008: Placed 5th at XTERRA West, 20th at Southeast, 12th at East, 4th at Mountain (less than a minute behind race winner Stoltz), 2nd at XTERRA USA Championship (top American) and 11th at XTERRA Worlds. LAST YEAR: Placed 12th at XTERRA West Cup, 6th at the Midwest Cup, 3rd at Northwest Cup, 10th at Atlantic Cup, 7th at the South Central Cup, 2nd (his best of the year) at the Northeast Cup, won XTERRA Mexico, and was 5th at XTERRA USA Championship. Placed 8th at XTERRA Worlds and was the top American for 2nd time (also in ‘06).
16 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
BRANDEN RAKITA Manitou Springs, Colorado
FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 7 PERSONAL: Born March 25, 1981...from Durango, CO...earned degree in civil engineering at Colorado State University...sales associate/bike fitter at Pro Cycling when not racing. Branden WEBSITE: brandenrakita.com SPONSORS: Pro Cycling, 2XU, The Colorado Running Company, 2 Toms, Effetto Mariposa, Sidi. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Third year. 2008: Finished 14th at the XTERRA West Champs, 12th at the Southeast Champs, 16th at the East Champs, 6th at Mountain Champs, a career-best 5th at the XTERRA USA Championship and 18th at XTERRA Worlds. LAST YEAR: Finished 10th at XTERRA West Cup, 8th at the Midwest Cup, 8th at the Southeast Cup, 4th at the Northwest Cup, 7th at the Northeast Cup, 5th at the Mountain Cup, 6th at the USA Championship, and 20th at XTERRA Worlds.
17 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
BRIAN SMITH Gunnison, Colorado Brian 2008-09 XTERRA Winter World Champ
FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 8 PERSONAL: Born November 15, 1975 in Glens Falls, NY...NORBA XC Pro since 2001...ran track and x-country at Western State College where he earned degree in clinical/counseling psychology...works as a community support specialist for developmentally disabled adults. WEBSITE: wheresbrianandjennysmith.blogspot.com SPONSORS: Giant, Salomon, Rudy Project, Advanced Casting Technology, Edge XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Sixth year. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Two-time and current XTERRA Winter World Champion, Top American (3rd overall) at the 2007 XTERRA World Championship, won the 2006 XTERRA Midwest Championship and the overall- Grand Traverse Backcountry Extreme Ski Race in 2006. 2006: Finished 10th at XTERRA West Champs while posting fastest bike split, 5th in Alabama, his best XTERRA finish ever at the time, 9th in Richmond, won the Midwest Championship in Milwaukee (which was a duathlon format as swim was cancelled), placed 12th at the USA Championship and 17th at XTERRA Worlds. 2007: Finished 5th in Temecula, 7th in Bama, DNF in Richmond, was 3rd at Mountain Champs, 8th at XTERRA USA Champs and 6th in the Pro Series. Finished 3rd over- all and top American at the XTERRA World Champs. 2008: Won the inaugural XTERRA Winter World Championship (bike, snowshoe, run, randonee) in Utah and the Fire and Ice award for having the fastest combined times at the XTERRA World Championship and Winter Worlds. Placed 3rd (top American) at West Champs, sixth at Southeast Champs, third at XTERRA Brazil, third at Mountain Champs, 6th at USA Championship, 4th in the Pro Series, 9th at XTERRA Worlds. LAST YEAR: Won the USAT Winter Triathlon National Championship, represented the U.S. at ITU Winter Triathlon Worlds in Austria where he finished 12th (top American), won the XTERRA Winter World Championship, finished 8th at the XTERRA West Cup, 7th at the Midwest Cup, 6th at the Atlantic Cup, 5th at the South Central Cup, 6th at the Mountain Cup, 6th at XTERRA Brazil, 9th at the XTERRA USA Championship, and 15th at XTERRA Worlds.
18 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
CRAIG EVANS Hendersonville, TN Craig FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 9 PERSONAL: Born March 29, 1978...originally from Ocala, Florida...earned a degree in healthcare administration from Western Kentucky University where he was an All-American swimmer...works in medical device sales for Smith and Nephew Endoscopy. WEBSITE: teamcraigevans.com SPONSORS: Stan’s No Tubes, Infinit Nutrition, Hypoxico, and Oakley. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 10th year. Turned pro in 2006 after winning the amateur overall at the Southeast Championship in Alabama. Won every XTERRA Points Series race he entered in 2004 and 2005. 2006: Finished 12th in Milwaukee, then injured. 2007: Finished 16th at XTERRA West Champs, 5th in Alabama and 6th in Richmond. Had the fastest swim in both ‘Bama and Richmond. Placed 10th at Mountain Champs despite racing with a broken bone in his foot. 2008: Finished 7th at XTERRA West Champs, 3rd in Alabama and 5th in Richmond. Led the Pro Series in points heading into Mountain Champs where he placed 9th. Was CODY WAITE 14th at USA Champs and 25th at XTERRA Worlds. Lakewood, Colorado LAST YEAR: Finished 9th at XTERRA West and Midwest Cup races, 6th at Southeast Cup, 6th at Northwest Cup, 8th at the Atlantic Cup, 6th at the South Central Cup, and 11th FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 10 at the XTERRA USA Championship. PERSONAL: Born September 25, 1978...originally from Cave Creek, AZ...works as a triathlon coach with EPC Multisport. WEBSITE: epcmultisport.com/blog Cody SPONSORS: EPCMultisport.com, Wheat Ridge Cyclery, Seven Cycles, Pearl Izumi, Blue Seventy, Patagonia, Schwalbe, Scrub, Fluid, Prolong, Ideal Health, Kalosidesign.com, Rudy Project, and Magura. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Sixth year...won the 25-29 XTERRA National Championship in 2006. Best pro finish was 4th at XTERRA Mountain Champs in 2009. 2007: 15th in Temecula, 9th in Alabama, 12th in Richmond, 5th in Utah, 15th at the USA Champs and 7th in Pro Series. 2008: 12th in Temecula, 13th in ‘Bama, 17th in Richmond, 7th in Utah, 13th at XTERRA USA, and 34th pro at XTERRA Worlds in Maui. LAST YEAR: 13th at XTERRA West Cup, 11th at Midwest, 7th at Southeast Cup, 9th at the Northwest Cup, 4th at the Mountain Cup, 7th at XTERRA USA Championship, and 27th at XTERRA Worlds. 19 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
WILL KELSAY Boulder, Colorado Will FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 11 PERSONAL: Born August 5, 1981...attended the University of Colorado where he raced on the national championship triathlon team and earned a degree in mechanical engineering...coaches high school cross country and track. WEBSITE: willkelsay.com SPONSORS: Timex, Rudy Project, Colorado Multisport, Trek, Sugoi, Aqua Sphere, Bontrager, Powerbar, Nathan, ARX, Trigger Point, Gaiam, Nuun, Saris/Power Tap, Headsweats, Training Peaks. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Seventh year. Has more than 25 top 10 XTERRA finishes. Best place was 8th at Mountain Champs in 2007, the year he was named Mr. XTERRA after going on a 12,630-mile, 12-week, 12-race, cross-the- country road trip in a beat-up RV to share his love for XTERRA. Along the way he put on a dozen clinics, traveled through 31 states, won four races, finished in the top 10 at three others, rebuilt the RV, and ran out of money. The journey was dubbed “Will’s XTERRA Adventure” 2006: Finished 11th in California, 11th in Alabama, DNF in Richmond, was a career-best 9th in Milwaukee, 10th in Utah, 17th at USA Championship and 114th in Maui. 2007: Placed 14th at XTERRA West Champs, 10th in Alabama, and 14th in Richmond. Placed 8th at XTERRA Mountain Champs in Utah for his best career finish and was RYAN DECOOK 13th at USA Championship. Was 64th in Maui. Rochester, Michigan 2008: Finished 18th in Temecula, 19th in ‘Bama, 14th in Richmond, 12th in Utah, and 12th at the XTERRA USA FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 16 Championship. Placed 16th overall in the Pro Series. PERSONAL: Born October 6, 1980...2003 and 2005 USA LAST YEAR: Finished 14th at XTERRA West and Midwest, Triathlon All American...earned an accounting degree from 9th at Southeast, 11th at Northwest Cup, 9th at Atlantic and Michigan State University and an MBA from Oakland South Central, 8th at the Northeast Cup, 10th at the University...ran cross country at both schools. Mountain Cup, 10th at the USA Championship race, and SPONSORS: Roy O'Brien Ford, Brooks shoes, First 25th at the XTERRA World Champs. Endurance Nutrition Products, and Moosejaw. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Eighth year, won the 20-24 XTERRA National Championship in 2005. 2007: Placed 11th at the East Championship, 13th at the Mountain Champs in Utah, and 43rd at Worlds. 2008: Finished 15th at the West and Southeast Champs, 10th at East Champs, 30th at Mtn Champs, 20th at USA Champs, and 37th among pros in Maui. LAST YEAR: Finished17th at XTERRA West Cup, 10th at the Southeast Cup, 7th at the Atlantic Cup, and 26th at XTERRA Worlds. 20 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
SCOTT GALL DAMIAN GONZALEZ Cedar Falls, Iowa Stockton, California
FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 17 FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 29 PERSONAL: Born July 10, 1974...was a two-time all- PERSONAL: Born December 20, 1976...runs a graphic, American in cross country and track at Wabash video and web services company. College...owns The Runner’s Flat retail running store and is WEBSITE: xpmultimedia.com a coach for Rocket Science coaching. SPONSORS: Orbea, Crank Brothers, Ritchey, Accelerade, SPONSORS: Salomon, Bike Tech, Rocket Science Go Pro, Rudy Project, ZYM, Williams Cycling, Wenzel Coaching, The Runner’s Flat, Fox River Sox, FRS, Suunto, Coaching, Devinci’s Delicatessen, Righetti Enterprises, Rudy Project, and Justin’s Nut Butter. Birkenstock & More, Stockton Orthopedic, Alpine WEBSITE: scottgall.net Orthopedic, Meyers Optical, Flashbacks Photography, XP XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Fourth year. Multimedia. LAST YEAR: Finished 12th at the XTERRA Midwest Cup XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 10th year. Won the 30-34 and 12th at the XTERRA USA Championship. XTERRA National Chamionship in 2007. 2008: Placed 21st at the West and Southeast races, 18th at East Champs and Nationals, and was 32nd among men’s BRAD ZOLLER pros at XTERRA Worlds in Maui. Avon, Colorado LAST YEAR: Finished 16th at the West Cup, 13th at the XTERRA USA Championship, and 38th at XTERRA FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 26 Worlds. PERSONAL: Born August 10, 1977...from Cincinnati, Ohio now living and working as a substitute teacher in Colorado...was on the rowing (crew) team at Purdue Damian University where he earned degree in aviation technology. SPONSORS: Rudy Project, Jointworx, Speedplay, and Avon Venture Sports. WEBSITE: bradzoller.com RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Youngest male qualifier to the 1998 Ironman World Champs. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 2nd year, finished 11th at the XTERRA Mountain Championship last year.
CHRIS NEWELL Reisterstown, Maryland
FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 28 PERSONAL: Born March 3, 1969...earned degree in english from Towson University...a USA Cycling and endurance coach for Sublime Athletics...is a classically trained pianist and has played with the Jon Bailey Band. SPONSORS: Sublime Athletics. WEBSITE: sublimeathletics.com XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Eighth year, is a three-time XTERRA Mid-Atlantic Region Champ as an amater and finished 2nd in 30-34 division at XTERRA Worlds in 2001. LAST YEAR: Finished 12th at the XTERRA Atlantic Cup. 21 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
SEAN BECHTEL Caledon, Ontario, Canada
FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: NR PERSONAL: Born December 23, 1983...is a spokesman for the Ontario Lung Association to help kids with asthma become more physically active. SPONSORS: Gears Bike Shop, XTERRA Wetsuits, Merrell Shoes, Kinetico Home Water Systems. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: First race. RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Finished 6th overall at the 2009 Ironman 70.3 Muskoka (first Canadian).
TREVOR GLAVIN San Diego, California
FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: NR PERSONAL: Born May 17, 1979, attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and is the director of U.S. operations for Skinfit Sports Apparel. SPONSORS: Skinfit, Powerbar, XTERRA Wetsuits, B&L Trevor Bike and Sport, Rehab United, and Mattise & Jack’s. WEBSITE: TrevorGlavin.blogspot.com XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Fifth year, won the 25-29 XTERRA World Championship in 2006, and was twice the Julian top amateur at the XTERRA West Championship. LAST YEAR: Missed the 2009 season due to injury.
JULIAN LANGER Vienna, Austria
FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: NR PERSONAL: Born November 28, 1989. SPONSORS: Duratec Bikes, Canon WEBSITE: julian-langer.com XTERRA EXPERIENCE: Third year, won the 15-19 division at the XTERRA World Championship in 2008. LAST YEAR: Placed fourth in the 20-24 division at the XTERRA World Championship.
22 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
MELANIE McQUAID Victoria, B.C., Canada Melanie ‘08/09 XTERRA USA & Pro Series Champ 2003, ‘05 & ‘06 XTERRA World Champ
FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 1 PERSONAL: Born May 17, 1973 in Victoria, BC, Canada has a degree in biochemistry raced with Canada’s National Cycling team for six years...started up the MelRad racing team in 2009. WEBSITE: racergirl.com, melrad.com SPONSORS: Avia, Nathan, Specialized, Shimano, Sundog Eyewear, GU, Maxxis, Profile Design, Saris, Lazer, and Pactimo. XTERRA EXPERIENCE: 10th year. 2002: Finished in the runner-up position in both the XTERRA East and Central Championships before winning the West title at Half Moon Bay. Finished 4th at the USA Championship and was the runner-up in Pro Series. 2003: 2nd at Big Bear and Richmond, won in Canada, was 2nd in Tahoe, and 2nd in Pro Series. Won XTERRA Worlds. 2004: Won in Richmond, then finished runner-up to Whitmore in Keystone, Big Bear, and Tahoe. Also finished second in the XTERRA U.S. Pro Series. Won XTERRA Canada and placed second at XTERRA Worlds. 2005: Won in Temecula, finished 7th at XTERRA Czech, won XTERRA Italy, placed 2nd in Richmond and Milwaukee, won Keystone to tie Whitmore for the Series lead heading into Tahoe. Placed second in Tahoe and 2nd in the Pro Series. Was 9th in the XTERRA European Tour standings. Became the first female to win her second XTERRA World Championship in Maui. 2006: 2nd in Temecula, won inaugural XTERRA Southeast Championship, 2nd in Richmond and Milwaukee, won the Mountain Championship to create a virtual tie with Whitmore for Pro Series lead, then won in Tahoe to capture her first Pro Series crown after three runner-ups. Followed with 2nd straight & unprecedented 3rd XTERRA World Title. 2007: Won in California, was second in Alabama, Richmond, and Utah. Placed 5th at USA Champs, 2nd in Pro Series, and was the runner-up at XTERRA Worlds. 2008: Won West Champs for second straight year, 8th at Southeast, won the East, Mountain, USA Champs, and US Pro Series crown. DNF’d at XTERRA Worlds. LAST YEAR: Won XTERRA West, Midwest, Southeast, and XTERRA US Pro Series title for the second straight year Northwest, and Atlantic Cup races, was 2nd at South Central (her third overall - also won in 2006). Finished 3rd a and Northeast Cups, then won XTERRA USA Championship XTERRA Worlds, her seventh time in the top 3 at Maui. 23 MEET THE PROFESSIONALS
SHONNY VANLANDINGHAM Durango, Colorado Shonny 2009 XTERRA Mexico Champion 2008/2009 XTERRA National Champion
FINAL 2009 XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES RANK: 2 PERSONAL: Born May 29, 1969...earned her degree in nutrition and played NCAA I basketball at East Texas State University races for the Luna Chix Pro MTB Team roasts her own coffee at her second home on the Big Island of Hawaii