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Top pros arrive for XTERRA Saipan
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Posted on Apr 07 2009
Three of the world’s top professional triathletes are now in town for next week’s XTERRA Saipan Championship.
Julie Dibens, Renata Bucher, and Jim McConnel arrived last Sunday after their successful stint in the XTERRA Guam series.
Taga Inc. president Wolf Mojica said the three pros immediately plunged into training on Saipan, testing the Crown Jewel of the XTERRA Global Tour’s famous bike course.
Dibens, Bucher, and McConnel are scheduled for a television interview at KSPN 2 in the afternoon today.
The three are also set for a press interview on Friday afternoon at the DFS conference room.
Dibens ruled last weekend’s XTERRA Guam as she asserted her lofty billing following her successful defense of the XTERRA World Championship in Maui, Hawaii last October.
Bucher, who won last year’s Saipan leg, finished second to Dibens in Guam.
Dibens’ British compatriot McConnel placed third in the men’s division behind winner Olivier Marceau of Switzerland and runner-up Sam Gardner, another Brit.
Marceau topped XTERRA Saipan in 2007 after also ruling the event in 2005 and 2006, while his fellow Swiss Bucher ruled the women’s side and Dibens was second.
Organizers are now marking the trails for next week’s race.
The number of participants is expected to reach over a hundred amateur and professional athletes
The XTERRA Saipan is the centerpiece event for next month’s 2009 Saipan Sportfest, which is set to start April 15 with several activities including the XTERRA University right on the first day.
The XTERRA University will be followed by the Sunset Trail run (5k and 10k) on April 17 (Friday) at 5pm at American Memorial Park.
The XTERRA Saipan Championship and XTERRA Sport is set for April 18.
There will also be an XTERRA Kids bike race on race day at the XTERRA compound.
Several other pros from Europe and Japan will be arriving crowding the top favorites.
The Tagaman Triathlon will begin at the Pacific Islands Club beach at 6am on April 25 with the finish line at Micro Beach.
