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By Patrick Lujan

XTERRA profressionals answer questions at the press conference Wednesday morning at the Sheraton. (photo by Jesse Castro)
Some of the fittest athletes in the world are on Guam this week.
The defending champions are back once again and they’ve brought along some of their professional friends to take part in the 9th XTERRA Guam this Saturday.
Australia’s Ben Allen and Switzerland’s Rebata Bucher love Guam and the unique off-road course so much that they’ve encourage others to join them this year, bringing the total of pros to 13 that will be participating. A press conference was held Wednesday afternoon to introduce the newcomers and returnees from the Philippines, Australia, Scotland, South Africa, Japan, Austria, Switzerland and England.
“It didn’t take much convincing the others to come,” said Allen, who’s making his second appearance on Guam and has been smoking the competition in the Triple Crown Asian Tour so far. Guam is the last leg of the Asian Tour with the Philippines and Saipan legs already completed. Allen has won the first two legs already.
“The races in Asia are probably the best in my career,” said the 28-year-old from North Wollongong, Australia. “It’s better than the Europe (Tour) or the America (Tour). The race here involves the whole community. As an athlete, I like that experience.”
Allen went on to say that the off trails that the normal tourist won’t see are one of the perks of participating in such XTERRA events.
Women’s champion Bucher is no stranger to the island, this being her fifth time competing on Guam. She’s also taken part in nine events in Saipan.
She, too, brought along some pro friends to compete on Guam.
“Everytime I come back it’s a great experience and a little different,” said Bucher, a four-time European champion. She has won 29 XTERRA Championship races in her nine-year career. “Racing in a small field, you get to know each other more than racing in bigger races.”
The visiting professionals are used to events with 2000-3000 participants. This weekend’s race is expected to draw 150.
First-time pro Dan Hugo from South Africa can’t wait to get going and said social media has helped promote Guam’s event.
“Just (the pros) getting on social media, a couple thousand people now know where Guam is,” said the 2011 XTERRA South African champion.
The pros hope the recent rain settles down for a dryer route. If not, the clay-like trail may lead to a lot of bike-carrying.
“Everyone is going to struggle out there if it’s wet,” said Hugo, who did a pre-ride of the course on Tuesday.
Saturday’s event will start and end at the Port Authority Beach and will cover a 1.5K ocean swim, 31K mountain bike and 8.2K trail run that have athletes navigating through jungle rivers and down slippery waterfalls.
“When I saw the picture of Ben sliding down a waterfall last year, I got hook,” said first-timer Rory Downie from Scotland.
2012 Pro Champions: Ben Allen, Renata Bucher
2012 Amateur Champions: Peter Lombard, Camren Kane
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GPS Sports Calendar
February 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for January
1st
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
2nd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
4th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
6th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
7th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
9th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL FINALS
Events for February
12th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 2
Events for February
13th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
14th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
15th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
16th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
17th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
18th
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2K/5K
World Athletics Cross Country Championships
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for February
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
21st
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
22nd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
24th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for February
24th
Events for February
25th
Events for February
27th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for February
28th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

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