Xterra West Championships – Temecula, USA

May 20th, 2007 by Dan Hugo

The week leading up to the race, in

San Diego and Temecula, could make for fine humour in this report. Most would be at my own expense, but I am taking to the American way just fine I reckon. Starbucks, pumpkin pie for breakfast, shooting hoops in the driveway, droving the largest 4×4thing you can imagine, all in my stride.

I was fortunate enough to get a home stay with a fantastic family in San Diego, and spent two days in

Pacific Beach, a few blocks from the beach. May Grey and June Gloom as the locals call the thick mist that gets pulled over the city by the warm desert air further inland. Couldn’t appreciate the city in full view, but seems a great place.

An hour

North West, in Californian wine district, Temecula lies nestled between semi arid hillsides. On one such, I stayed with Brian, who took me in, eventually took Conrad and Amber in too, and went beyond in his support and hospitality for us. Was great sitting out by a barbeque watching a hazy sunset across the valley, hearing of American culture and views. Some as foreign to me as a 30person taxi with a monkey wrench for steering wheel and cardboard for break pads were to him.

The course itself was on what I could best describe as solid sand dunes. Making much of it a roller coaster type experience. There were sections on this less technical course that had up-down, curving, banked single track liked I’d not seen before. Real fun, fast, but not as demanding. The run was similar, and more a scramble of sorts. One biggish climb at the start, and the rest short ups and downs, all in very arid desert like sun scorched dust.

I wish I could go into the funnies of the American athletes there, and how different the norm is back home in SA. Whether it be the psyched-up commentator, the “good job” volunteers, or the average Jo taking part. Suffice to say, my R40 000 bike, was run of the mill compared to most there. I got to see back makers coming off the bike in the sport race, fists in the air, victorious… Aiai.

Race day. 10:00 am start, by a cannon, large enough to scare even spectators into

Lake Vail. The calm watered two lap 1500m swim with wetsuits permitted made for a big front bunch that I was cruising in. Rolled out of transition in 5^th. It was possible to draft for the first 15min or so, and should have tried harder on the swim to make sure I get Conrad’s wheel, but missed it. He was on form and out to have a good day.

Rode alright, but nothing special. Felt average and couldn’t push the gears I needed to. Both drink bottles got spat out on the first lap, and cost me a bit. Managed to grab something on the second lap, but in the heat, was perhaps already too late. Came into transition in 6^th, with two running just in front of me, and three just behind.

Was really hoping I’d be feeling better on the run, but struggled here too. Had felt good the day or two before, well rested after traveling, and think the week or cruising and recovering was more the lethargic cause than the travel over. Either way, only on the last lap of the run did I feel more at ease. Finished 6^th, running between two rows of flags representing the countries present, one being the South African, which Conrad had made proud by cruising home for an impressively easy victory. Couldn’t be happier for him. The Caveman, as his affectionately known here, is back, strong, happy, in love, and its awesome to see.

Second was a Canadian, Mike Vine. Third an Aussie, Andy Noble. Fourth and fifth two Americans. Round 550 athletes racing. Was great meeting the principle players here, on the media and race setup side. Colourful people with a lust for life.

Three weeks in Reno training with Conrad, and then race two and three, in Alabama and

Virginia.

Dan Hugo

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