AND THE SAIPAN SPORTS FEST MARCH 31 - APRIL 9 2006 PRESS GUIDE ssppoonnssoorrss The 2006 XTERRA Saipan Championship is presented by the Marianas Visitors Authority, and sponsored by the Pacific Islands Club, Paul Mitchell, XTERRA Gear, and Coca~Cola Beverage Co. (Micronesia), Inc. iinnttoo tthhee jjuunnggllee . AT THE 5th ANNUAL XTERRA SAIPAN CHAMPIONSHIP XTERRA is the world’s premier off-road multisport event. An extreme competition, the XTERRA format combines swimming with mountain biking and trail running. It has been described as one part triathlon, one part mountain bike race, and one part “survival of the fittest”. With its white sand beaches, warm water, jungle trails, and secret caves it’s easy to see how the XTERRA Saipan Championship became the “crown jewel” of the XTERRA Global Tour. In 2006 there will be more than 100 XTERRA races in 17 countries…but none quite like this one! The race starts with a 1.5-kilometer swim in the crystal clear waters fronting Micro Beach, follows with a 30k mountain bike ride that traverses island terrain to the top of Mount Tapotchau (the highest point on the island at 1,545 feet elevation) and finishes with a 12k trail run that takes competitors past World War II relics and through secret jungles and caves. The event is a qualifier for the 2006 Nissan Xterra World Championship held in Maui on October 29 - with 34 slots available to the top finishers in each age group (see page 12 for details). The race will also award points to amateur athletes racing in this year’s Nissan Xterra USA Championship Series. The US $15,000 professional purse at the XTERRA Saipan Championship has attracted some of the best multisport athletes on the planet to Saipan and pros confirmed for the event include three-time XTERRA Saipan, and four-time XTERRA USA champion Jamie Whitmore, and Swiss triathlon great - two-time Saipan winner Olivier Marceau, among others (pages 13 and 14). Back by popular demand is the Saipan Sports Fest and PIC Double competition. The Sports Fest runs from March 31 through April 9 and includes a variety of clinics focusing on triathlon preparation, performing your best, goal setting, and motivation. There’s also an evening Hash Run, tank-to-tank swims, XTERRA Scrambles, TagaKids Triathlon, a fishing cruise, bbq’s, and a 7k/10k Walk. For the hardcore triathletes the Pacific Islands Club (PIC) Double awards $500, and 6-days/5-nights at the PIC to both the man and woman with the fastest combined XTERRA and Tagaman Triathlon times. TABLE OF CONTENTS Press Information . .4 Pacific Islands Club Double . .17 Quick Facts . .5 2005 XTERRA Saipan Race Review . .18-19 XTERRA Saipan Television Show . .6 2002-2004 Saipan Results . .20-23 Schedule of Events . .7 2006 USA Series Schedule . .24 XTERRA Scrambles and Kid’s Bike Race . .8 How the USA Series Works . .25 XTERRA University/Pacific Islands Club . .9 2005 XTERRA Global Tour . .26 XTERRA Saipan Course Description . .10-12 XTERRA World Championship . .27 The Professionals . .13-15 About the Northern Mariana Islands . .28-30 About Jamie Whitmore and Olivier Marceau . .16 How XTERRA started & TEAM Unlimited . .31-32 3 media information media information The XTERRA Saipan Championship Press Guide was designed to provide the media with useful information about the 2006 race, the Sports Fest, and XTERRA in general. Below are additional items of interest to media: For credentials, please contact marketing director Trey Garman ([email protected]) or XTERRA Japanese representative Yoko Wakabayashi ([email protected]) TEAM Unlimited will record full race results and distribute after the event via e-mail. Please provide your email address and results and pictures (if requested) can be sent directly to you. During the championship race TEAM Unlimited will escort interested press members to key strategic locations throughout the course to track leaders and course happenings, and to get the best possible photos. You must reserve your seat in the press van in advance. Press with credentials are invited to both the XTERRA Welcome Reception on March 31 and the XTERRA Awards Dinner on April 1. Both events are at the Pacific Islands Club, and media must show their credentials for complimentary admittance. TEAM Unlimited will not operate a pressroom in Saipan, however, we will accomodate any specific requests within reason. Race coverage can also be found at xterraplanet.com. Professional, high-resolution, full-color images from the race will be available to the media after the race. DIRECT MEDIA INQUIRIES AND REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO: Trey Garman, Marketing and Media Relations Director From March 29 through April 8, reach Trey at the Pacific Islands Club at 670-234-7976 In Honolulu 808-792-2603 (office) - 808-216-8606 (cell) - 808-538-0314 (fax) [email protected] www.xterraplanet.com TEAM Unlimited 500 Ala Moana Boulevard 2-Waterfront Plaza Suite 302 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 4 qquuiicckk ffaaccttss EVENTS: In addition to the XTERRA Saipan Championship, there will also be a half-distance XTERRA Sport race, a pre-race training camp, 5k and 10k scrambles, a kid’s bike race, and a pair of socials. As the Saipan Sports Fest unfolds additional triathlon clinics and events will be held thru April 9 (see schedule on page 7). TELEVISION: XTERRA Saipan and Sports Fest events will be filmed by TEAM Unlimited’s award-winning television crew and all the action will be put together for a half-hour feature to be broadcast in Saipan, Guam, on Gaora in Japan, and across the United States through national syndication. LOCATION: The Pacific Islands Club will serve as the official hotel for the XTERRA Saipan Championship, Tagaman Triathlon, and the Saipan Sports Fest. Check schedule for specific venues. AT STAKE: Professionals vie for $15,000 in cash and amateurs race for age group recognition and a slot into the Nissan Xterra World Championsip in Maui. Plus, the man and woman with the fastest combined XTERRA and Tagaman time receives $500 in cash, and 6-days/5-nights at the Pacific Islands Club. THE COURSE: From the crystal clear waters of the Pacific, to the lush tropical jungles and surprising World War II relics - Saipan’s obstacles are unlike anywhere else on earth. DISTANCES: XTERRA Saipan Championship: 1.5k swim, 30k mountain bike, 12k trail run. XTERRA Sport: 750-meter swim, 15-kilometer mountain bike, 5k trail run. Tagaman: 2k swim, 60k bike, 15k run. ENTRY FEES: XTERRA Saipan Championship: Individual: US $125. Team: US $250. Plus $9 one-day USA Triathlon License (if not a member). Includes event swim cap, t-shirt, and admission to XTERRA Welcome Reception and Awards Dinner. XTERRA Sport: Individual: US $75. Team: US $150. Plus $9 one-day USA Triathlon License (if not a member). Includes event swim cap, t-shirt, and admission to XTERRA Welcome Reception and Awards Dinner. XTERRA University Camp and Race Package: US $175. Includes two days of professional instruction, lunches, official t-shirt and cap, grad certificate, XTERRA Welcome Reception and Awards Dinner, and entry to either the XTERRA Championship or XTERRA Sport race. Does not include accommodation. XTERRA/Tagaman Discount: Athletes showing proof of registration in Tagaman will receive 10% off their XTERRA registration, and athletes showing proof of participation in XTERRA will receive 10% off Tagaman registration. DIVISIONS: Individuals: 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-45, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60+ (W), 60-64 (M), 65+ (M) Pro, Military, & Challenged Athlete. Teams: Men, Women, Co-ed, Military, and Challenged Athlete. AWARDS: Top three in each division. Registration for all XTERRA events is available at www.xterraplanet.com or by calling 808-521-4322, toll-free 877-751-8880. In Japan, athletes can call 03 (3808) 1151 or visit http://www.xterrajapan.net/2006/saipan.html 5 ssaaiippaann oonn TTVV XTERRA SAIPAN CHAMPIONSHIP TELEVISION SHOW PORTRAYS THE CNMI AS A PREMIER ADVENTURE DESTINATION Athletes in action juxtaposed with images of white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise water, pristine tropical jungles, and breath- taking vistas have delighted viewers of the XTERRA Saipan TV show - so much so that the program has twice received *Telly Awards for production excellence (2003 and 2005). "Saipan is a spectacular adventure destination, and we are proud to promote that fact to potential visitors from around the world,” said TEAM Unlimited President Janet Clark. This year’s race along with coverage of the Saipan Sports Fest and Tagaman Triathlon will once again be filmed for a half-hour feature show to be broadcast in Saipan, Guam, on Gaora in Japan, and across the United States through national syndication starting in June of 2005. Held annually in the Northern Mariana Islands, XTERRA Saipan is widely regarded as the "Crown Jewel" of the XTERRA Global Tour. The race and TV show are presented by the Marianas Visitors Authority, and produced by TEAM Unlimited. The success of both the race and TV show is attributed to Saipan's spectacular natural environment with the majestic jungles and crystal clear water providing a first-class setting for the world’s leading off-road multisport event and series. The broadcast tracks competitors locked in a battle with Mother Nature as they navigated a 1.5 kilometer swim in the Pacific Ocean starting at Micro Beach, a 30k mountain bike up to the crest of Mt. Tapotchau, and a 12k jungle and beach trail run. The show follows athletes from start to finish - providing brilliant images from all over the island. *Founded in 1978, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions.