The 11th annual Nissan Xterra World Championship: 362 days down . . . three to go
By Rebecca Roozen
Oct. 26, 2006 -- This coming Sunday morning you might be tucked in bed recovering from the previous night's Halloween party. At the same time, the world's finest off-road triathletes will be duking it out on the roughest course around at XTERRA world champs in Maui. By the time you're re-hydrated, the 2006 winners will be crowned. Will the two-time champ Melanie McQuaid be quick enough for win No. 3? Can Spain's Eneko Llanos pull off a successful XTERRA race after exerting himself so eagerly in Kona a week earlier?
In the meantime, pros like Jamie Whitmore, Nicolas LeBrun, Sibylle Matter, Chris Legh, Brent McMahon, Jenny Tobin, Jimmy Archer and Candy Angle and about 400-some top age groupers are prepping for the radical and relentless 1.5km rough-water swim, 32km mountainous bike and 10km sandy and woodsy run. The course is legendary. The rugged terrain is off limits to spectators. But you can get a few good glimpses at the Maui Prince resort start and transition area.
Competitors climb from sea level to 1200 feet, then down again and back up to 1400 feet followed by one final plunge. Just as in the Hawaii Ironman in Kona, there's no telling what Mother Nature will bring. Will she be in the mood for especially fiery lava fields, or will it be torrential rains?
Athletes from 22 countries have made the journey to Maui. We've got the big dogs like Canada, Australia and South Africa, and some lesser-knowns in the tri world like Costa Rica, Hong Kong and Russia. Thirty-six states including Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Vermont will be represented as well.
The Makena Beach Scramble kicks off the rugged weekend on Saturday, Oct. 28. Competitors choose from a fun 5K or a challenging 10K run on South Maui's tempestuous landscape.
Stay tuned to triathletemag.com for updates and further coverage of the Nissan Xterra World Championship.