XTERRA Returns to Australia this Sunday in Dunsborough

Press Release / 30.03.2023

XTERRA is headed down under for the first time since 2019 when the third stop on the 2023 Asia-Pacific Tour rolls into the southwest coastal town of Dunsborough, Western Australia this weekend.

The race will award $7,500 USD equally to the top 5 men and women elite competitors and $2,400AUD to the top three Triathlon WA members. It will also award valuable points for amateurs chasing XTERRA APAC Tour titles, along with 26 qualifying spots into the XTERRA World Championship to the winners of each age group.

Samantha Kingsford (NZL), currently sixth in the XTERRA World Rankings, headlines the women’s elite race and following a runner-up performance at her hometown race in Rotorua two weeks ago, is hoping to finish on the top step for the first time since winning the XTERRA USA Championship race in 2021.


“The mountain bike trails on offer at this race is what made me want to compete here,” said Kingsford, who won the XTERRA Pan American Tour title in 2019. “This is the kind of riding and course design that I love, it’s real mountain biking and perfect for XTERRA. And who wouldn’t want to race in a destination where the beaches look this amazing too!”

The off-road triathlon starts with a 1.5-kilometer swim in the turquoise waters of Geographe Bay, follows with a 28km mountain bike race through the roller coaster singletrack trails in Meelup Regional Park, and finishes with a 10km coastal trail run.

Kingsford will have her hands full with home country favorites Kate Bramley, the 2020 XTERRA Wellington Champ, and Kristen Gadsdon, a WA native who dominates the local adventure racing scene.

"Super excited to have XTERRA back in Australia. I love XTERRA and the area here in WA, so pumped to be here," said Bramley, who is also an XTERRA certified coach.


In the men’s chase, World No. 9 Sam Osborne (NZL) is gunning for his second victory of the early season after a win in Wellington to start the year.

“I’m really keen to support events down this side of the world,” said Osborne, who has 20 XTERRA World Tour wins to his credit. “Australia has some great trails and I know Dunsborough was the last stage of the Cape to Cape MTB stage race so it sounds like it’s got all the makings to be a really awesome course.”

Osborne will be up against an Aussie legend, Ben Allen, the 2016 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Tour Champion, who has traveled all over the world racing XTERRA in his illustrious career.


“The sport has taken me to places I never would have thought possible and it's been a fantastic experience,” said Allen, the 2012 XTERRA Warrior award winner along with his wife, Jacqui, who is also a professional triathlete.

“It’s hectic in the Allen household at the moment, however, with my job in the underground mines and Jacqui 36 weeks pregnant,” said Allen. “But Dunsborough is a beautiful spot, I love racing on the west coast, Rapid Ascent always puts together a tough and challenging course, and I enjoy racing outside my comfort zone."

A pair of XTERRA newcomers from Australia, Tyla Windham and Zeke Tinley, are also hoping to do well outside their comfort zones on Sunday, as is veteran Taylor Charlton.

The weekend of events, held in partnership with the team from Rapid Ascent, Australia’s leading adventure sports event management company, also includes a short course option, Aquathlon, and adventure races just for kids.

"We are super excited to be bringing XTERRA back to Australia,” said Sam Maffett, Rapid Ascent’s General Manager. “The course in Dunsborough is simply spectacular and will showcase the best of the Australian coastline with a crystal clear ocean swim, single track MTB through the hinterland, and a technical coastal run. It’s off-road triathlon at its best."

Read the full event preview at xterraplanet.com, and find images & updates on instagram/xterraplanet.