XTERRA Germany/ITU cross championship update Wow. The former East German city of Zittau has never seen this kind of spirit. Hundreds of mountain bikes with thin, fit, uniformed riders bombing around town, zipping in and out of restaurants and shops. Packet pickup was to open today at 1 but the crowd was anxious and the tent walls were pulled back about 15 minutes early. A dozen food vendors with everything from wurst to pizza to soft ice cream and crepes were ready. Yes, several beer tents were open and doing fine business. Rain ruined a bit of the day, but by the time the pasta party opened at 5 followed by the parade of nations and opening ceremony it was cool but not raining. A swanky VIP party where all the Elite athletes were invited. A fabulous rhythm drum band marched the hall, speeches and the Secretary General of the State of Saxony declared the games open. One hell of a way to open the 2014 ITU cross triathlon world championship and XTERRA Germany and O See Challenge. The field for both men and women is definitely world championship quality. Conrad The Caveman Stoltz will be looking for his 4th ITU in a row; Ruben Ruzafa has not been defeated since Maui. Former World Champion and 70.3 star Michi Weiss is here to represent Austria, the man who led Maui for better than half; Leo Chacon is here with his Costa Rican team mate Rom Akerson. That would make a world class field by itself, but add Ben Allen, Francois Carloni, Kris Coddens, Brice Daubord, Ironman star Faris-Al Sultan, German champion Felix Schumann, Asa Shaw, Jan Kubicek, veteran Rob Barel and Americans Josiah Middaugh, Craig Evans and Branden Rakita - whew - you see what I mean. It is no less impressive for the women starting with German favorite Kathrin Mueller who has gotten big press this week. She faces Aussie super star Erin Densham, many time XTERRA winner Helena Erbenova and the super fast Flora Duffy. Bring to the start line last years winner Jacqui Slack, Canadian Chantal Widney, Carina Wasle, Renata Bucher and Americans Emma Garrard and Suzie Snyder with another bunch like Maud Golsteyn and Carla VanHursteen and this is a star studded womens field. The course is fast with a fair amount of flat, a lot at the start. Those quick swimmers could make a deal among themselves and team time trial the first 5K to try and gap the field. OR, those in the second pack could team up, draft those first few miles and bridge it up to the swimmers. The weather will play a big part. It is muddy and wet out there but tonights wind could dry it out a bit. Rain is forecast and if it happens, the technical riders will dominate on the slippery rocks and roots. Age groupers head out at 9:30 with women and then two waves of men. Our XTERRA Age Group champions are here and I expect them to dominate the medals. Elite women start at 2:15 and the men at 2:35. I warned the organizers that the fast men are going to have to weave their way through - but it fell on deaf ears. No matter what - the rain, the cold, dry or wet, traffic or not - tomorrow will have a series of great battles and the winner will have given his or her all.
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 20:40:35 +0000