Conrad Stoltz, the most decorated off-road triathlete of all-time, is returning to Callala Beach in Jervis Bay for another shot at the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship title on April 18.
“It’s a big race, has a TV show, big money, and just look how the Aussies crawled out of the woodwork last year. That’s good for the sport,” said Stoltz, who has an unprecedented 51 XTERRA championship titles to his credit.
The XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship, which again doubles as the XTERRA Australia Championship, is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
“The whole race is phenomenal and very well designed. There is a lot of really good single track and it’s well balanced. I loved the course and am super excited to have another crack at it.”
At last year’s inaugural race the seven-time World Champion from South Africa was in 2nd place after the mountain bike leg before pulling due to fatigue from a cold and a calf injury he couldn’t shake.
“Last year’s race was obviously very disappointing for me,” said the two-time Olympian. “Fly fishing in the rain after XTERRA NZ was probably not the best idea … my wife was right – again!”
Despite the hiccup last year New South Wales still holds some special memories for Stoltz. In 2000 when triathlon made its debut at the Sydney Olympics “the Caveman” broke away from the field on the bike alongside Olivier Marceau. Those two took a one-minute lead into the run before getting chased down by the sprint pack. The very next year he won his first of four XTERRA World Championships.
“Australia is such a triathlon hotbed, it’s nice to see XTERRA take off there and Callala Beach is perfect for off-road racing,” said Stoltz, who has 15 years of experience racing professionally in the dirt.
As the most prestigious event in the XTERRA Asia-Pacific series that includes championship races in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Guam, Tahiti, and Saipan – the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship will offer $50,000 in prize money to the sport’s top professional athletes and produce a television show for international distribution.
The main event combines a 1.5-kilometer ocean swim at Callala Beach, approximately two and a half hours south on Sydney, with 30-kilometers of mountain biking followed by 10-kilometers of trail running.
The event lures amateur and professional athletes from around the world to New South Wales, and locals flock to the event in pursuit of XTERRA Australia Championship honours. The off-road sports festival weekend also includes a sprint distance off-road triathlon, trail runs, and relay team competitions attracting more than 500 competitors of all ages.
For more information and links to registration for the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship visit www.xterraasiapacific.com.
The XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Presenting sponsors include John Paul Mitchell Systems, the world’s largest privately owned professional salon hair care company, Outrigger Resorts – one of the largest and fastest growing privately-held leisure lodging, retail and hospitality companies in the Asia-Pacific and Oceania regions, and XTERRA Wetsuits & Boards Australia – the official swim sponsor.