XTERRA Worlds 2013
XTERRA Worlds 2013 swim start. Nils Nilsen pic.
I came into Worlds really well prepared, hungry for my 5th XTERRA World title. I had 6 weeks’ of good training at altitude in Boulder and 4 weeks of good prep at sea level in Kona and Maui. I poured everything I had into this race. Even lost a few kilos.
4 days before the race I turned 40 and Princess Hotstuff (and our homestay) spoiled me- as much as you can get spoilt before a big race. (ie no big party)
Hoka One One also spoilt me- they sent the new Rapa Nui trail shoe all the way from France. I was so excited when they arrived. By far he best trail shoe I’ve ever worn.
Hooking my Specialized TERRA shoes (already clipped in pedals) onto the suspension’s Brain adjuster with a piece of elastic- the elastic keeps the shoe horisontal (to get feet in easily) and once your foot is in the shoe and you start pedalling, the elastic breaks and falls off. Not very environmentally friendly, I know, but time is money…
The bike is really pretty- when you stopped and got off for a look. The view was scenic too…
The swim went well, I lost only 30 or 40 seconds to the front group. Once on the bike you start climbing right away. With over 1000m of vertical gain over slow surfaces, uninspiring “down hills” and high heat and humidity, I had my hands full trying to stay cool, go fast and make time on athletes 20kg lighter than me. Ex pro MTB racer Ruben Ruzafa had a monster ride – sat in my draft on the long downhill before aid station 2, and took off up the following climb – building a 2 minute lead by the end of the bike.
My new 2014 Specialized Sworks Epic World Cup 29er features in my previous blog post – check it out there.
“Wet Pedal” Sweat Rate Indicator. Over race weekend the Trade winds died down and the Kapalua coast got even hotter and more humid than usual. Even on a medium effort ride I sweated straight through my shoes and onto my pedals. The heat became a major factor on race day and quite a number of athletes stumbled and crumpled across the finish line.
I’m taking a leaf out of the Hawaiian Voyaging canoe (the Hōkūalaka’i) building crew’s fridge door notes, and wont say much about the course…
Instead a newspaper qoute by womens winner Nicky Samuels:
At least she had 2 weeks’ mountain biking more than last years winner Javier Gomez.
To me the run was not so much against my competitors (Josiah Middaugh and Asa Shaw behind) and it wasnt so much about running at anaerobic threshold, but more a battle against overheating. Out of T1 the slow 20 minute climb through tall grass (blocks any breeze) was like driving a car with no radiator. Push just a little too hard and blow a gasket.
Jesse Peters pic
Underwhelmed with 6th place. My dream is to win 5 World titles on Maui. Back in SA with my coach Ian Rodger we will analize, regroup and refocus on what it will take to win on this course next year.
A huge thanks to the most avid Sherpa/supporter/split giver on the World!
Also a big thanks to Specialized Racing mechanics Dylan and Eric for a fast, clean bike, and also videographer JB for making me look “pro”.
We didnt start thinking about our Halloween costumes till after the race- I grabbed some garden sissors and snipped like crazy in our home stays lush tropical garden. I had to chase the geckos out of our new costumes before heading down for awards dinner. We built the costume in the parking lot with boxing tape and borrowed hair, a flamingo and a parrot from out home stay. We didnt have a “theme”, but when we walked through the lobby (scraping the chandeliers) and the first person we saw said “Tropics!”
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Great read as usual Caveman. If you guys want a true mtb course then come on down to Xterra Rotorua in New Zealand. Maybe that’s the change you need in your season Conrad! Keep up the good work.
I’d like to see the road triathletes try to win at Richmond. Is the Hawaii course not very technical? Which of the other Xterra’s are most like Richmond?
Keith Schumann
Hey Keith. Yes, unfortunately the XTERRA Worlds course in Maui is not technical- it has a few twists and turns (which dont flow either) but the course is really climbing heavy- with fast, easy, dirt road downhills- a small, fit atheletes’ paradise.
The only other XTERRA in the US which compares to Richmond is XTERRA SouthEast Champs in Oak Mountain State Park Birminghamp AL. In fact- the ‘Bama course is even more real than the Richmond course- but I love both. We need more races like Richmond and Bama. Xterra Italy (Abruzzo) is another good one.
I am an age-grouper who just completed my fifth year of competing in this crazy world of off-road Xterra races. I have the same complaint with the US Championships when it comes to the bike. There isn’t much when it comes to real technical challenges on the entire course at Snowbasin unless you think getting through Wheeler Canyon is tough. Also seems to favor athletes who are able to train at elevation. Never the less, if you can power up that mountain you stand to do very well. Would love to see a longer section of fast technical sections with tight turns and short climbs than the short down hill section at the end of the race. Throw in some rock gardens. Its anti-climatic! They’ve made slight changes every year (I’ve done that race four times) but it seems to more about the money relationship with the City of Ogden than about having a course that represents all of the athletes from around the United States.
I also agree with you about the course at Kapalua, having raced that last year. Yes…it’s tough, but that course has less technical sections than the US Championships. Xterra is a business and I’m afraid its all about the money. I wish Dave could take constructive criticism better. But why would he listen to an amateur who’s only been doing this for five years? I’m sure he is a great guy and is passionate about it but I get the impression that he is bull-headed when he is confronted with anything negative anyone has to say about this sport that we all love called Xterra.
You hit the nail on the head Phil. The event locations are bound by sponsorship and as much as I love Ogden and Maui as locations, the course can be made better. But by whom?
C
Well written Conrad and I couldn’t agree more with your take on the whole. There are (certainly) aspects of both bike and run that CAN (without too much mitigation) make the course more technically challenging and yet still be fair & competitive for Mt Bikers / trail runners of all physical builds. Those who favor the road might have to train up a bit more than 12 rides but as the title states these are the “Off Road” World Championships.
Let me know how I might help – it would be a pleasure to do so… .,,
Adam, would be awesome to get some MTB specific trails build in Kapalua. Let me know if I can help. (Planning on getting my Trail Builders certification done next summer)
Cheers
C
You are a Legend !!! I don’t like this new competition in Kapalua , Makena is better because is a unique race 🙂
Maybe next year the powers that be at Xterra will build a real MTB course that requires climbing ability AND technical skills for Xterra’s World Championship. To have someone with just a few weeks experience on a MTB win the race is just plain ridiculous.
Keep up the good work Conrad. You’re a class act all the way.
Could not aggree more with Marc.
Surely a big event like an Off road world champs should be an off road test.
Great to see roadies like Gomes support Xterra events, but next thing you know they want to srart drafting too……. 😉