Looking to repeat the success of last year’s inaugural event, XTERRA Winter World Championship returns to Snowbasin Resort in Ogden, Utah on March 7-8. Combining multiple disciplines and a weekend of races and parties, XTERRA proved to be “the best new sporting event of 2008” according to readers of SportsTravel Magazine. Also returning are last year’s champions – Brian Smith of Guinnison, CO and Sari Anderson of Glenwood Springs, CO – who hope to defend their titles against some of the best athletes in the world.
At the event’s debut last year, Utah welcomed three hundred competitors including some of the biggest names in endurance sports and adventure racing from around the globe. The main event is a true test of skill and perseverance combining a 5K run on groomed snow, 5K snowshoe in powder, 10K mountain biking on snow, and an 8K ski mountaineering course with over 3,000 vertical feet of climbing. While the pros challenge each other for a share of the $10,000 prize purse, amateurs will test their skills in individual discipline races such as snowshoeing and ski mountaineering.
Athletes and spectators alike can expect a weekend of fun, excitement, and if last year’s event is any indication, dramatic finishes. After a grueling two hours, the 2008 World Championship came down to literally the final second, with Brian Smith edging past Josiah Middaugh of Vail, CO just three gates from the finish line. XTERRA will continue the festivities this weekend after the sun goes down with parties at local bars and restaurants where video highlights of the day's events will be presented.
XTERRA Winter Schedule:
Saturday, March 7
8am-3pm Registration/Packet Pickup at Snowbasin Resort
9am-3pm Expo Open
9:30am Skate Ski Start – 10K
10:30am Snowboard “Dash for Cash” Start
1:00am Ski Mountaineering Race Start
11:30am Skate Ski Awards at Snowbasin
1:00pm Cut-off for Ski Mountaineering Race
1:30pm Snowshoe Start – 10K and 5K
3pm Ski Mountaineering and Snowshoe Awards at Snowbasin
6pm Race Briefing - Ogden Marriott - English Walnut Room
8pm After Party - Brewski’s, Ogden (21 and over only).
Sunday, March 8
8am Registration/Packet Pickup at Snowbasin Resort
9am-3pm Expo Open
10am XTERRA Winter World Championship Start
12:30pm Winter World Champs Cut-off (must start ski mountaineering leg)
2pm XTERRA Winter World Championship Awards at Snowbasin
8pm XTERRA Winter World Championship Party
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