Snowbasin Blog

Josiah Middaugh of Colorado and Lesley Paterson from Scotland earned long-awaited victories at the XTERRA USA Championship on Saturday, Sept. 22.

Middaugh was the overall winner, breaking a string of frustratingly-close performances in this event. Paterson took the women’s title after back-to-back runner-up showings in 2010 and 2011.

Conrad Stoltz of South Africa placed fourth, but earned enough points to win his unprecedented 10th XTERRA U.S. Pro Series championship. Paterson captured her first XTERRA U.S. Pro Series title in the women’s division.

MEN’S RACE

Middaugh, 34, has been the top-ranked American male in the XTERRA Series for seven of the past eight years, but until today, had never placed higher than third at the USA Championship. He finished with a winning time of 2:26:34.

“Finally,” said Middaugh, who resides in Eagle-Vail, Colorado. “More relief than anything. This is a really special win for me to pull this off for the first time.”

He did it in impressive fashion, finishing nearly two minutes ahead of runner-up Ben Allen of Australia. Middaugh’s lead was large enough for him to grab his two children in his arms just before he crossed the finish line. “It was just a special day for me,” he said. “I felt good, my training has been good for the last three months and it showed today.”

Middaugh is regarded as one of the fastest runners on the XTERRA circuit, so when he took the lead midway through the bike course, it was a matter of him staying upright the rest of the way.

“I caught the leaders early, about mile 6 or 7,” he said. “That first downhill Conrad (Stoltz) got back ahead of me, and it wasn’t until about mile 9 that I passed him again for the second time. But I was so tentative on the downhill, I was just so worried about flatting, or having something ruining a good performance. I knew my fitness was good, I just had to be careful everywhere. I was a little bit too nervous, but it worked out.”

Allen placed second in 2:28:46 for his best showing at the USA Championship. He was the first out of the swim, and stayed with the lead pack throughout the bike.

“On the bike, I just tried to stay in a nice rhythm,” Allen said. “Last year, that’s sort of where I lost it, so I was really determined to bounce back from last year and have a strong ride.”

Despite a crash on one of the downhills, Allen still managed to enter the run in third place, behind Middaugh and Stoltz.

“I caught Conrad (on the run) and I was trying to catch Josiah, but he was too strong today,” Allen said.

France’s Nico Lebrun, who won the XTERRA USA Championship race last year, also passed Stoltz during the run to take third place in 2:29:02.

“I felt more of the altitude, I don’t know why,” Lebrun said. “I was not feeling really good (on the bike) and then on the run I felt better again.”

Stoltz finished fourth (2:30:47), which was enough to edge Middaugh for the U.S. Series title. If Stoltz had placed fifth, Middaugh would have won the series.

“I’ve been racing XTERRA for 12 years now, so being able to win 10 series titles means a lot to me. It’s been an amazing journey.”

Middaugh entered the race with a full beard on his face – part of his strategy a few months ago to stop shaving until he won a race (he shaved immediately after the race). It prompted Stoltz to say: “All I can say is I think I’m going to grow a beard for Maui.”

The XTERRA World Championship will take place at Kapalua, Maui, next month.

WOMEN’S RACE

Paterson’s performance continued an amazing run over the past 11 months. In that span, she has won the 2011 XTERRA World Championship, the 2012 ITU Cross Tri World Championship, and now the 2012 XTERRA USA Championship.

“It was awesome,” said Paterson, 31. “I did a lot of prep for this – came out 10 days early. It’s the first time in an XTERRA race that I went into the lead on the bike and held it. So I went into the run actually in the lead, which is very unusual for me, so I think my bike is finally coming together.”

Paterson had finished second at the USA Championship in 2011 and 2010, and third in 2009. She is considered the fastest female runner in XTERRA races, so it was all but over when she completed the bike course with the lead.

Paterson said she passed Melanie McQuaid for the lead on one of the steep bike climbs and and stayed in front the rest of the way. She then started the run with a cautious confidence.

“You’re always a bit nervous,” Paterson said. “Even though I’m a runner and I’ve got that pedigree, you still think ‘oh my gosh, did I push it too hard on the bike.’ ”

She did not relent during the run, and finished with a time of 2:49:09 – more than three minutes ahead of Suzie Snyder of Virginia (2:52:43).

It was also a breakthrough performance for Snyder, who had previously won an age-group amateur title at the USA Championship, but had never finished higher than ninth as a professional in this event.  She came two weeks early and stayed with a local family to help acclimate for the race.

“It was definitely the best race of my life,” Snyder said. “Everything was cramping and it hurt worse than any race I’ve ever had, but I’m so happy, I don’t care.”

Snyder completed the bike in third place, but passed McQuaid for second early in the run.

Danelle Kabush from Canada had a strong run and finished third in 2:52:56. She also placed third last year.

“I’m definitely satisfied,” she said. “Second would have been better, but I’ll take third. This was a good test of fitness.”

McQuaid, last year’s winner of this event, was fourth in 2:54:56. Renata Bucher from Switzerland was fifth in 2:56:10.

STOLTZ, PATERSON WIN XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES TITLES

Conrad Stoltz fourth-place finish was just enough to hold off Middaugh and win his unprecedented 10th XTERRA U.S. Pro Series crown while Lesley Paterson captured her first.  Craig Evans and David Henestrosa tied for third in points but Henestrosa took third-place money due to the tie-breaker (best showing at this race).  The same happened in the women’s field, with Melanie McQuaid and Renata Bucher tying for 2nd, but McQuaid finisher just ahead of the Swiss Miss today.  Here’s a look at the final standings…

Complete Standings

The XTERRA USA Championship is the culmination of a series of more than 50 qualifying events across the US that award points to the top athletes in XTERRA’s eight regions. The USA Championship is held in conjunction with the Harvest Moon Festival.

 Pro athletes race for their share of the $80,000 prize purse. $60,000 for the XTERRA America Tour Championship, and $20,000 goes to the fastest pros at nationals.

In addition to the championship, XTERRA offers races for trail runners, as well as the XTERRA Utah short and long course off-road triathlons. Pick up tips from the pros at one of our XTERRA University clinics or enjoy the XTERRA Expo. Kids can get into the fun at the XTERRA Kids Zone.

The XTERRA USA Championship is open to pros and qualified amateur athletes from the US. Here is how to qualify. Non-qualified athletes can race on our championship course by signing up for the XTERRA Utah long course off-road tri, which is open to everyone, or the short course which is half the distance.

Top finishers in each age division are awarded a coveted slot to the XTERRA World Championship on Maui where 550 of the world’s best competitors vie for the world championship title. Also, the fastest age group male and female swimmer timed from start to exit of T1 receive a XTERRA Vortex 3 Full wetsuit. Note: You must be present to receive your award. Awards will not be mailed after the event.

Pro athletes from the US with a valid pro license can compete for the USA Championship title. International athletes may compete for prize money, but are not eligible for the USA Championship title. Visit the pro racing for more information.

In Association with the Harvest Moon Festival

XTERRA and the annual Harvest Moon Festival on Ogden’s Historic 25th Street team up to bring you one great weekend of family events. Whether you volunteer, participate or just spectate, there is truly something for everyone young and old.

Day one of Xterra Triathlon Nationals is over and below is link to the results from the Pro Division which consists of a Swim 0.93, Bike 18.90, and a Run 6.34.

 http://www.xterraplanet.com/uploadedfiles/2011USAOverall.pdf

Day one of Xterra Triathlon Nationals is over and below is link to the results from the Sport Long Divisions which consists of a Swim 0.93, Bike 18.90, and a Run 6.34.

http://www.xterraplanet.com/uploadedfiles/2011UtahLong.pdf

SALT LAKE CITY — Six days after celebrating his 40th birthday, seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong will be back on the bike competing in the XTERRA USA championship at Snowbasin Ski Resort in Utah.

Armstrong confirmed Thursday he will compete Sept. 24 on the XTERRA course that covers a 1-mile swim, 20-mile mountain bike ride and 6-mile trail run.

He scouted the course for three hours last week with the past president of the foundation that sponsors the XTERRA championship, and has tweeted four-time XTERRA world champion Conrad Stoltz about it.

“It seemed like a fun time and the training has been going very well,” Armstrong told The Associated Press Thursday. “I’ll go out there and have a good time and see how it goes.”

He said it has been 23 years since he’s done any type of triathlon, and he has no expectations of winning, though he has been training hard the past eight months.

“I have no doubt (Stoltz is a great athlete). I go in with no grand expectations,” Armstrong said.

The top XTERRA athletes in the world will compete next week at Snowbasin, including South Africa’s Stoltz, five-time national champion Josiah Middaugh and two-time Ironman world champion Tim DeBoom.

Stoltz says the course is a good fit for Armstrong as it involves a lot of climbing but is not very technical on the descents.

Armstrong confirmed he isn’t interested in racing the Tour de France again, but wants to check out this new “beast.”

Stoltz said Armstrong began texting him recently and suggested they train together.

“He was talking smack,” quipped Stoltz, also known as “Caveman.”

“He was like, ‘Let’s go training, bring it on Caveman!’ ”

Stoltz said he looks forward to competing against one of the world’s best athletes.

“It would be great to have him, good for the sport,” Stoltz said. “If he wants laid-back races for enjoyment, it would be a good match. A lot of people think he’ll do an Ironman, but that’s not fun because you have to do so much training and it’s eight hours of nothing but pain.”

Armstrong has not competed in an XTERRA before but is quite familiar with triathlons, having started his athletic career in the sport. He became a professional triathlete at age 16, and by the late 1980s was the No. 1-ranked triathlete in the 19-and-under group.

Stoltz said the XTERRA run will favor Armstrong because it is different than racing on pavement. “It’s not about speed but strength and endurance,” Stoltz said.

Mike Caldwell, an Ogden mayoral candidate and past president of the Ogden-based GOAL Foundation that sponsors the XTERRA championship, said Armstrong appeared in top shape last week when he went to Utah to scout the course.

“From what I saw he was in phenomenal shape,” said Caldwell, who tried to keep up with Armstrong and Armstrong’s good friend, Jimmy Riccitello, a former XTERRA world champion and a top triathlete for more than 20 years.

Caldwell said Armstrong was a man in motion when he wasn’t on the bike or trail, tweeting, arranging business meetings and keeping tabs on the Livestrong Foundation that has raised about $400 million since 1997 — a year after a life-threatening cancer diagnosis.

On Sept. 9 — two days after Armstrong flew from San Francisco to Ogden, then on to Canada for charity events — Armstrong tweeted about his hectic pace.

Now he’ll be adding another trip to Snowbasin, site of the downhill and super-G races at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

“I enjoy the training,” Armstrong said. “It’s almost like therapy for me. And it’s easy to do and it’s cheaper than therapy so I’ll always need that aspect in my life.”

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

NEW USA CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE “ROCKS,” ADDS SINGLETRACK AND STUNNING VIEWS

The U.S. Forest Service started work on the Sardine Peak Trail near Snowbasin Resort three years ago and for the first-time in XTERRA racing history, it is ready to ride. The new 7+ mile section of single and double track is the sweetest and smoothest piece of trail on the mountain, and makes the bike course “a true mountain race course that weaves in-and-out of aspen glades and pines,” said Snowbasin Resort sport event operations director Steve Andrus.

XTERRA USA Championship Course Quick Stats:

Swim course distance: 1,500-meters (0.93 miles) Combines two 750-meter laps (no run in-between)
Elevation at Port Ramp Marina for swim start: 4,900-feet
Water temperature: TBA, expected to be in the 65-degree range
Mountain bike course distance: 28-kilometers (17.7 miles)
Total climbing on bike: 3,400-feet
Elevation at highest point: 7,300-feet (top of Sardine Peak Trail)
Elevation at T2/Snowbasin Resort Lodge: 6,400-feet
Trail Run course distance: 9.8-kilometers (6.1 miles)
Total climbing on run: 700-feet
Total climbing on course: 4,100-feet

For the full tour, let’s start from the beginning when the cannon blast at 9am on September 24, 2011 signals the start of the 11th annual invite-only XTERRA USA Championship race.

More than 300 professional and amateur racers from more than 40 states will take off from Port Ramp Marina all-at-once for a 1500-meter swim (two 750-meter laps) in Pineview Reservoir, where water temps hover near the “wetsuit-required” range (Competitor note: a final determination on if this will be a wetsuit legal or optional swim will not be made until the water temperature is read on race morning, so be prepared).

Swim Prime Alert: The top amateur male and female, timed from swim start to the exit of T1, will win a XTERRA Vortex 3 Full wetsuit.

Once on the bike racers leave the swim-to-bike transition (T1) and head west towards the Wheeler Canyon trail head for the 28K mountain bike section. (Competitor note: The first 1.5 miles is on Highway 158, a major road. Ride on the shoulder inside the delineators that will be placed to separate racers from traffic.  The Utah Department of Transportation has said we cannot ride in the traffic lanes.  Stay inside the delineators.  We will assess a minimum of a two-minute penalty to riders caught outside of the lane delineators, and should the police handling traffic stop you, your race is done. When pre-riding we encourage you to park and start at Wheeler Canyon trail head (or park at Snowbasin and coast down to trailhead) because parking is not permitted at Port Ramp Marina.

OK, now to the fun part. For those that have raced the USA Championship in either of the last two years, the first 10-miles through the Wheeler Creek trail are the same. It starts with mild, steady climbs on dirt, rock, and root-ridden mountain trails that climb through the magnificent Wheeler slot canyon. The trail pops out at the Art Nord trail head where riders cross old Snowbasin road and climb up the East Fork trail, then drop down into some speedy descents to the Middle Fork trail, go across old Snowbasin road one more time and connect with the Wheeler Creek Trail. Single track dominates this 10-mile stretch and elevation gains from the water at 4,900-feet to about 7,000-feet before a descent on Middle Fork trail shoots you back down.

The new section starts where the Wheeler Creek Trail meets the Sardine Peak trail. Here riders are in for some more climbing that will take them to the ridgeline, rewarding their efforts with spectacular views of Pineview Reservoir to the right, and Snowbasin to the left.

Amateur video shot on Sardine Peak trail (reverse direction from how it will be raced)

“It certainly has that ‘wow’ factor, especially with the switchbacks that twist and turn through the fall colors,” said Andrus. “It’s a sensory riot.”

“The new section of the course is so sweet, a constant smooth climb and wide enough to pass,” added local age-group phenom Nick Fisher.

More wide-open vistas of Ogden Canyon lay ahead before the downhill onto Maples trail speeds riders through a meadow filled with wildflowers and back to the bike-to-run transition at the Snowbasin lodge area where spectators will have the chance to see their friends and family coming in.

On to the trail run, the 6.1-mile trail run is pure singletrack minus a wide section coming out of transition that takes runners to the start of Green Pond trail. The 10K single-loop run zigzags its way through aspen groves and fields of wildflowers. There are a few short, very steep uphill’s and about 700-feet of climbing then descending before the jubilation of finishing in front of loads of spectators, cameramen, and a live band jamming away right on the bricks of the fabulous Snowbasin Resort.

(Competitor Note: Headphones, headsets, earbuds, walkmans, iPods, mp3 players or any personal audio device are not to be carried or worn at any time during the race. Bike or run.  Variable time penalty for infraction).

XTERRA UTAH LONG COURSE: Starts at 9:20 a.m. and is identical to USA Championship course described above

XTERRA UTAH SHORT COURSE: Starts at 9:40 a.m. Same course as past years. The swim is half-distance, one 750-meter loop. The bike is 19K with roughly 2,300-feet of climbing (it turns back to Snowbasin Resort at end of Wheeler Creek trail instead of heading up Sardine Peak trail). The run is 5K, and cuts off midway through Green Pond trail.

Snowbasin Resort andOgden,Utah transform intoXTERRA Title TownUSA September 24-25 as all 140 of XTERRA’sU.S. off-road triathlon and trail running events culminate at Nationals in one magical weekend on the mountain. 

The two events will bring more than 1,200 of the nation’s very best amateur and professional triathletes and trail runners to battle for the title of XTERRA National Champion.

The off-road tri Nationals is Saturday, Sept. 24, along with full and half-distance XTERRA Utah races open to everyone.

The XTERRA Trail Run Nationals half-marathon is Sunday, Sept. 25, accompanied by 5K and 10K trail runs.  Both events will be filmed for nationally syndicated TV programs exposing the beauty ofUtahto millions.

In addition to the races, XTERRA will host an expo in downtownOgdenwith free kids races, vendor booths, a Paul Mitchell hair cut-a-thon for charity, and evening dinner parties. Simultaneously,Ogdenhosts its 10th annual Harvest Moon Festival with more than 25 family-friendly activities planned for all ages including live music, kid’s activities, and downtown criterium races.

“We are excited to bring our entire XTERRA Tribe together in Utah this September, the energy level is going to be off-the-charts,” said Janet Clark, president of XTERRA. “Ogden and Snowbasin are proven winners – between the facilities at Snowbasin, the great restaurants and atmosphere along Historic 25th Street in Ogden, the Harvest Moon Festival, and the unbelievably supportive community – we couldn’t have asked for a better situation.”

While the USA Championship off-road triathlon is an invite only race, the XTERRA Trail Run National Championship is open to the public, so one and all can challenge the best-of-the-best trail runners and race for a national championship.

Both events finish at Snowbasin Resort – a world-class ski resort that hosted the downhill and super G races for the 2002 Winter Olympics, and most recently served as the final stop of the Winter Dew Tour.  Located just 35 miles north ofSalt Lake City, and just up the road from the adventure capitol of Ogden, Snowbasin is an easy get to and increasingly popular adventure travel destination. It has an incredible collection of trails, which are nothing short of spectacular in late September as the fall colors start bursting in an array of red, pink, orange, and yellow.

For more information and links to registration visit xterrautah.com, or call toll-free to 877-XTERRA-1.

The XTERRA USA Championship weekend is sponsored by the Utah Sports Commission, and Paul Mitchell. Sponsors include GU, Gatorade, Zorrel, Snowbasin Resort, GOAL Foundation, MediaOne of Utah, U.S. Forest Service, KSL TV, and the XTERRA Alliance – Wetsuits, Vitality, Cycling, Fitness, Flex, and Footwear.

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XTERRA National Championships of Triathlon and Trail Running Event Schedule

Sept 23-25, 2011 // Ogden/Snowbasin, Utah

Friday, September 23

Opening Festivities in downtown Ogden @ Ogden’s Amphitheater Park (corner 25^th/Grant)

12-6pm                  Expo and XTERRA Kids Zone Challenge Stations Open

12-6pm                 Registration and Packet Pick-up (All events – XTERRA Utah/XTERRA USA Championship/

XTERRA Trail Run Nationals, 10K and 5K)

12-5pm                 Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon, benefit for the Challenged Athlete Foundation

3:00pm                  XTERRA Race Briefing (mandatory for USA Championship triathletes – also available at 6pm)

4pm                        XTERRA Kids Bike Race (free)

4:30-6pm               XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell – Art of XTERRA

5pm                        XTERRA Kids Sprint (free)

6:00pm                  XTERRA Race Briefing (mandatory for USA Championship triathletes, also available at 3pm)

6:30-9pm               “Night of Champions” Dinner, Grand Lobby, Union Station – Introduction of XTERRA Regional Champions & Mr/Ms XTERRA 2010.  Admission: complimentary for USA Championship competitors, $25 for guests/public.  Note that tickets are limited – first come, first served.

Saturday, September 24

XTERRA TRIATHLON at Snowbasin Resort

6am                      Shuttle operating to/from Snowbasin to Port Ramp Marina, Pineview Reservoir

6:30am                 Late packet pickup at Port Ramp Marina, Pineview Reservoir (no registration)

6:30am                 T1 open for set-up at Port Ramp Marina, Pineview Reservoir

6:30am                 T2 open for Set-up at Snowbasin

6:30am                 Body marking at Port Ramp Marina, Pineview Reservoir

8:20am                 Last shuttle from Snowbasin

9:00am                  XTERRA USA Championship Start at Port Ramp Marina (1.5k swim, 30k mtb, 10k trail run)

9:20am                  XTERRA Utah Start – Long Course at Port Ramp Marina (1.5k swim, 30k mtb, 10k trail run)                       

9:40am                  XTERRA Utah Start – Sport Course at Port Ramp Marina (750m swim, 16k mtb, 5k trail run)

10am-2pm            Expo area open at Snowbasin – exhibits, live music, food service

10am-3pm            Registration and packet pickup for XTERRA Trail Runs – Nationals, 10K and 5K

10:30am-2:30pm Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon - benefit for the Challenged Athletes Foundation

11am                     XTERRA Sport winner expected at Snowbasin

11:15/11:45am      XTERRAUSAChampionship Male/Female Winner Expected

12:00pm               XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell – Trail Running

1:50pm                  XTERRA Cut-off at T2

2pm                       XTERRA USAChampionship/XTERRA UtahAwards Ceremony at Snowbasin

After Party at Harvest Moon Festival in downtownOgden

12-10:00pm          Harvest Moon Festival on 25^th Street  -  kids activities, farmer’s market, food and beverage booths,

                                live bands – Headliner “Old Californio”.

8:30pm                  XTERRA USA Championship highlight video showing and introduction of Champions – Main Stage

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XTERRA National Championships of Triathlon and Trail Running Event Schedule

Sept 23-25, 2011 // Ogden/Snowbasin, Utah

Sunday, September 25

XTERRA TRAIL RUNNING at Snowbasin Resort

7:00-8:00am         Late Registration

7:00-8:30am         Late packet pick up

8:00am                  XTERRA Expo open

9:00am                  XTERRA Trail Running National Championship Half Marathon Start

9:05am                  XTERRA 5km and 10km Trail Run starts

9:00am-2:00pm  Paul Mitchell Cut-a-Thon, a benefit for the Challenged Athletes Foundation

9:20am/9:40am    5km/10km winners expected

10:06/10:19am     Men’s and Women’s National Championship male/female winners expected

11:00am               XTERRA Kids Sprint (free)

11:00am                                XTERRA 5km and 10km awards ceremony

11:45am                                XTERRA National Championship race awards ceremony

2:00pm                  XTERRA Expo closes

After Party in downtown Ogden

6:00pm                  XTERRA After Party (Location TBA)

7:00pm                  Video Highlights

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The XTERRA USA Championship is the culmination of a series of more than 50 qualifying events across the US that award points to the top athletes in XTERRA’s eight regions. The USA Championship is held in conjunction with the Harvest Moon Festival.

Pro athletes race for their share of the $80,000 prize purse. Sixty-thousand for the XTERRA America Tour Championship , and $20,000 goes to the fastest pros at nationals.

 In addition to the championship, XTERRA offers races for trail runners, as well as the XTERRA Utah short and long course off-road triathlons. Pick up tips from the pros at one of our XTERRA University clinics or enjoy the XTERRA Expo. Kids can get into the fun at the XTERRA Kids Zone.

 The XTERRA USA Championship is open to pros and qualified amateur athletes from the US. Here is how to qualify. Non-qualified athletes can race on our championship course by signing up for the XTERRA Utah long course off-road tri, which is open to everyone, or the short course which is half the distance.

Top finishers in each age division are awarded a coveted slot to the XTERRA World Championship on Maui where 550 of the world’s best competitors vie for the world championship title. Also, the fastest age group male and female swimmer timed from start to exit of T1 receive a XTERRA Vortex 3 Full wetsuit. Note: You must be present to receive your award. Awards will not be mailed after the event.

 Pro athletes from the US with a valid pro license can compete for the USA Championship title. International athletes may compete for prize money, but are not eligible for the USA Championship title. Visit the pro racing for more information.

In Association with the Harvest Moon Festival

XTERRA and the annual Harvest Moon Festival on Ogden’s Historic 25th Street team up to bring you one great weekend of family events. Whether you volunteer, participate or just spectate, there is truly something for everyone young and old