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XTERRA WINTER WORLDS RETURNS TO OGDEN / SNOWBASIN MARCH 7-8, 2009

January, 2009 – Following an epic inaugural race that was nominated “best new sporting event of 2008” by readers of SportsTravel Magazine, XTERRA returns to Snowbasin Resort and the high-adventure recreation capital of Ogden, Utah for the second annual XTERRA Winter World Championship and accompanying festivities on March 7-8.

Both the 2008 men’s and women’s champions – Brian Smith of Gunnison, CO and Sari Anderson from Glenwood Springs, CO – are returning to defend their titles in the uniquely XTERRA winter multisport race that combines 10-kilometers of mountain biking on hard packed snow with 5km of snow running, 5km of snowshoeing, and 8km of ski mountaineering.

It took Smith just under two hours to complete the grueling competition last year, which finished in dramatic fashion when he skied past Josiah Middaugh (Vail, CO) less than 15 yards before the finish for a one-second margin of victory. A pair of YouTube videos and a nationally syndicated TV show documented the exciting finish that one seasoned spectator described as “the most pure and epic sporting moment I’ve ever witnessed”. See highlights at www.xterra.tv.

This year’s main event, which features $10,000 in prize money to the fastest men and women, is set for a 10 a.m. start on Sunday, March 8 & registration is still available online at xterrawinter.com for teams and individuals (fee is $60 for individuals and $120 for two-three-or-four person teams).

On Saturday, March 7 a variety of made-for-fun winter events designed to provide the recreational athlete with a chance to get involved will take place, including 5km and 10km snowshoe races, a 10km skate ski competition, 8km and 12km ski mountaineering (randonnee) races, and an edgy snowboard dash-for-cash with $500 going to the men’s and women’s winners. Great registration deals abound – as competitors can do any two for $40 or any three for $60. Racers receive lift tickets for the snowboarding events, an event tee, refreshments, and awards will be given out to the top three in each division for all races.

In addition to the races at Snowbasin, XTERRA is organizing get-togethers in downtown Ogden at Brewski’s and other restaurants and bars along Historic 25th Street, and the TEAM TV crew will put together highlight videos and slideshows from the day’s action on both Saturday and Sunday nights.

Snowbasin Resort, with nearly 3,000-feet of vertical rise and 104 runs to play on, is the ultimate host for the XTERRA Winter World Championship weekend (and it’s also hosting the XTERRA USA Championship off-road triathlon on Sept. 27, 2009).

The XTERRA Winter World Championship weekend is presented by the Utah Sports Commission, Paul Mitchell, and XTERRAGear.com. Other sponsors include Snowbasin Resort, GOAL Foundation, Ogden/Weber Convention & Visitors Bureau, GU, Gatorade, PowderRush.com, Zorrel, & XTERRA.TV.

The award-winning TEAM TV crew will be on-site filming all the action for a nationally broadcast special that will expose the pristine natural beauty of northern Utah to millions of viewers across the U.S.

For more info visit www.xterrawinter.com or call Trey at 808.216.8606.

EVENT DESCRIPTIONS
XTERRA Winter World Championship
It all starts with the mountain bike – two 5km laps on 30-foot wide, relatively flat, hard-packed and groomed nordic trails at the base of the resort. Next up is a 5km snowshoe trek featuring 500-feet of climbing and descending through aspen and pine trees in pristine deep powder. The third leg is a 5km run on groomed access trails that weave through a breathtaking route in the forest. The final stage is ski mountaineering (or randonnee) where racers will climb 1,300 feet to the first of several transition areas, take their skins off and ski down through giant slalom gates to the next checkpoint. There are four climbs/checkpoints totaling 2,200 feet of vertical gain, and the finish line is at the base of the resort viewable from the main plaza at Snowbasin. The men’s winner is expecting to take about two hours to complete the event. Fees: $60 Individual, $120 Team, plus $10 one-day USA Triathlon license (if non-member). Categories: Pro/Elite, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+, Physically Challenged.

Prize Purse Breakdown ($10,000)

Fire and Ice Award
A special Fire and Ice Award will be presented to the men’s and women’s pro and amateur racers with the fastest combined times from the 2008 XTERRA World Championship off-road triathlon in Maui and the XTERRA Winter Worlds race in Utah.

XTERRA Ski Mountaineering Races
Using climbing skins riders will make their way 1,300 feet up an interesting winding route through the tree lines to the first of four checkpoints where they’ll take off their skins and race down to the next stop. Subsequent climbs are roughly 500 feet, 300 feet, then 100 feet. Competitors have the option of racing one or two laps. Fees: $30 for citizens race (one lap); $35 for championship race (two laps) Categories: Elite, Junior (under 19), Senior (20-39), Master (40+) Awards: Top 3 in each division

XTERRA Snowboard Dash-for-Cash
Snowboarders take the lift up for a Le Mans style start with riders boot-packing up a short stretch to the first of four checkpoints then strap-in and race down. The dash follows the randonnee route described above and the first man and woman to the finish win $500 each. Fees: $30. Categories: Men and Women. Awards: $500 to male/female finishers

XTERRA Citizen’s and Championship Snowshoe Races
One-and-all can take part in the 5km or 10km snowshoe races. The course features bursts of deep snow running and several hundred feet of climbing along a scenic route through the forest. Fees: $30 for the 5km, $35 for the 10km Categories: Individuals: Men/Women – Junior (19 and under) and Senior. Awards: Top 3 in each division

XTERRA Skate Ski 10km Race
The skate ski course is identical to the mountain bike course – hard packed and wide and built for speed. Those with the perfect blend of endurance and skill will excel in this race. All types of ski set-up welcome. Fees: $30. Categories: Individuals: Men/Women – Junior (19 and under), Senior (20-39), and Master (40+). Awards: Top 3 in each division.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, MARCH 6
9am-3pm Registration/Packet Pickup at Snowbasin Resort/Expo Open

SATURDAY, MARCH 7
8am-3pm Registration/Packet Pickup at Snowbasin Resort

9am-3pm Expo Open

9:30am XTERRA Skate Ski – 10km race

10:30am XTERRA Snowboard “Dash for Cash” (male & female winners $500 each)

11:00am XTERRA Ski Mountaineering Race

12km - 3,500-feet of climbing over a two-lap course
8km – 2,300-feet of climbing over a one lap course

11:30am Skate Ski Awards at Snowbasin

1:00pm Cut-off for Ski Mountaineering Race

1:30pm XTERRA 5km and 10km Snowshoe Races

3pm Ski Mountaineering and Snowshoe Awards at Snowbasin

6pm XTERRA Winter World Championship Race Briefing – Ogden Marriott

Dinner Historic 25th Street restaurants will offer special discounts to all XTERRA athletes.

8pm XTERRA Winter World Championship Party – Brewski’s, Ogden (21 and over only)

Live band and video highlights of Saturday racing.

SUNDAY, MARCH 8
8am Registration/Packet Pickup at Snowbasin Resort

9am-3pm Expo Open

10am XTERRA Winter World Championship Start

10km MTB / 5km Snowshoe / 5km Run/ 8km ski mountaineering

12:30pm Winter World Champs Cut-off (must start ski mountaineering leg)

2pm XTERRA Winter World Championship Awards at Snowbasin

Dinner Historic 25th Street restaurants will offer special discounts to all XTERRA athletes

8pm XTERRA Winter World Championship Party - Brewski’s, Ogden (21 and over only)

Music and dancing, video highlights of the day’s racing

NOTE: Special registration deal for Saturday races – do any two for $40 or any three for $60.

LEARN MORE AT XTERRAWINTER.COM OR CALL TOLL-FREE TO 1-877-751-8880

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