XTERRA Dunsborough
XTERRA Australia - Dunsborough is Ready to Roll
Press Release / 27.03.2023
XTERRA Australia is ready to roll this weekend on the 1-2 April 2023 in the coastal town of Dunsborough, Western Australia.
For the past 10 years, event organisers Rapid Ascent conducted the event under the brand X-Adventure Dunsborough, before working alongside XTERRA to bring you 11th edition of the event.
The weekend features five off-road races, with the premier Long Course race doubling as a XTERRA World Championship qualifying event with a $13,600 AUD cash prize pool; as well as the 2023 Triathlon WA off-road State Championships.
The Long Course triathlon boasts a swim-bike-run format with a 1.5kilometer swim through the turquoise waters of Geographe Bay; a 28km mountain bike race through the flowing singletrack in Meelup Regional Park, and finishes with a 10km trail run along the sculptured granite coastline.
A number of elite athletes have been attracted to the race with the new course and destination on the XTERRA circuit a big draw card. The start list includes a number of XTERRA’s top athletes such as New Zealand couple Sam Osborne and Samantha Kingsford, and Australians Ben Allen, Zeke Tinley and Tyla Windham.
Osborne, a multiple XTERRA race winner is excited about the mountain bike leg of the Dunsborough course;
“Australia has some great course locations and I know Dunsborough’s mountain bike trails have got all the makings to be a really awesome course!” said Osborne.
Allen, the reigning 2022 Long Course Champion says, “Dunsborough is a beautiful spot and Rapid Ascent always put together a tough and challenging course where I enjoy racing outside my comfort zone.”
“I think my experience is my biggest strength on the Dunsborough course; having raced on the World Tour for a few years I feel it’s given me more confidence and clarity,” added Allen.
With a pro mountain biking background, Windham’s coming off his first year in the off-road triathlon scene and is already making a name for himself placing second at the recent national championships at Crackenback.
“The thing I like about the off-road races is that it is good, hard racing where you have to be prepared for anything and I enjoy just grinding things out when things get tough,” said Windham.
Two names to watch out for in the women’s field include Australia’s Kate Bramley and Kingsford.
Kingsford races and travels the XTERRA World Series scene with partner Osborne; with both notching up a number of wins including XTERRA Oak Mountain and XTERRA Beaver Creek.
“I left my full time job five years ago and I haven’t looked back since! I never thought I would have achieved what I have in the time I have been racing off-road triathlons,” said Kingsford. “It’s the mountain bike trails that I love the most and is what drew me to come race XTERRA Dunsborough!”
Bramley says, “The Dunsborough area itself is spectacular. My strength is the run leg, although the rocks on course can be tricky.”
Conducted in a friendly and welcoming race atmosphere and complementing the premier race includes a Short Course option (750m swim, 15km mountain bike, 6km trail run), Aquathlon (1km swim, 5km trail run), and adventure races just for kids are also on the schedule.
All events will feature solo athletes or relay teams of up to 3 doing one leg each where mates can get together and join the 1,500 competitors who tackle this event each year – from weekend warriors and families, through to the World’s best.
Rapid Ascent’s General Manager Sam Maffett is excited to be bringing XTERRA to the shores of Dunsborough;
“With a global following and a huge reputation, we're sure XTERRA Dunsborough will be massive!” said Maffett. “The event is set in the most spectacular location, so we have carefully curated each course and discipline to capture the surrounding natural landscapes – it really is off-road triathlon at its best!”
XTERRA Asia-Pacific technical director, Landry Benoit, is also looking forward to the Australian XTERRA race.
“We are delighted to not only return to Australia in 2023, but to discover a new destination along the spectacular coastline of Western Australia,” said Benoit. “I’m excited for our athletes, both locals and visitors, who will be treated to a remarkable setting for a race and perhaps more importantly, a truly amazing adventure destination to explore and discover before and after the event.”
Headquartered at the Dunsborough Country Club, participants will be treated to a super fun finish line with a host of entertainment options for kids, and plenty of food and drinks.
Dunsborough is renowned for its awe-inspiring landscape that encompasses a vast ocean of beautiful blue water, spectacular coastlines, wildflower lined running tracks, and an extensive network of mountain bike trails.
Limited entries remain for the XTERRA Australia - Dunsborough weekend of events with further information at www.xterradunsborough.com.au; or visit www.xterraplanet.com for the XTERRA brand and worldwide event series.
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