XTERRA Saipan is scene stealer of the week

Title games in basketball and volleyball and other local competitions were relegated to sidelines last week, making way for the biggest weekend event in the region—the 2009 XTERRA Saipan Championship.

Dubbed as the Crown Jewel of XTERRA Global Tour, XTERRA Saipan featured top caliber professional triathletes and several local prides.

The list included Switzerland’s Renata Bucher, who notched her fifth win in a row in the championship course. In the men’s division, Sam Gardner of the United Kingdom defeated eight other pros, including 2008 champion Andrew Noble of Australia.

Saipan’s Kieran Daly and Heather Kennedy topped the men’s and women’s XTERRA Sport divisions, as their familiarity with the course lifted them to easy victories.

More than 100 participants accepted the challenge of XTERRA Championship and XTERRA Sport and although some experienced difficulties and accidents during the races, still they enjoyed the journey and hoped to do it, again next year.

Two basketball leagues may not be as big as the 2009 XTERRA Saipan Championship, but still they are worth mentioning.

In the 2009 Budweiser Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino Invitational Basketball League, Hyatt Regency Saipan nailed had an easy title win, clobbering Aqua Resort Club in the finals, 100-75, Monday night at the Tinian Municipal Gymnasium.

Also taking home a basketball championship was Docomo Pacific, which prevailed over Ol’Aces, 88-80, in the title match in the 2009 BANMI/Budweiser Basketball League Friday night at the Garapan Basketball Court.

At the Marianas High School Gymnasium, Rollers Basketball Club hosted the 2009 RBC Easter Invitational Basketball Tournament.

Guam’s Barrigada Crusaders topped the 14-and-under and 17-and-under divisions, while the Chalan Kanoa Saints won the 20-and-under title.

In the 2nd Annual Youth Spring Break Volleyball Festival at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, four teams were crowned champions in their respective age groups.

Vacos and Powerpuff won the boys and girls 18-and-under division, while Whispering Palms and Dandan Elementary School ruled the 14-and-under and 12-and-under divisions, respectively.

Action in other leagues and tournaments on Saipan continued last week.

The 2009 IT&E Badminton Doubles Tournament is nearing its completion with title matches set yesterday, while the 2008-2009 Inter-Government/Business Slow-pitch Softball League had started its playoff round.

The 2009 Budweiser Saipan Major League and the Saipan Little League Baseball continued playing their regular season games. The 2009 Coalition of Private Schools on Saipan Basketball League and the 2009 NMIFA Spring Youth Football League are also on the same stage.

A burglary incident at the Ada Gym spoiled what could have been a perfect week for Saipan’s sports community. A new laptop was stolen, while the trophy case at the main entrance of the gym was broken.