Xterra Australia: Elites Battle in Dunsborough

Xterra Australia is set to host the Full Distance Triathlon today, in Dunsborough, marking the fourth stop on the Xterra APAC Tour. The event offers a $7,500 USD elite prize pool and 28 qualifying spots for the 2024 Xterra World Championship, attracting top talent from around the globe.

Athlete Highlights

The race features a strong field of elite competitors, including Benjamin Forbes and Hannah Lee Young from Queensland, Australia. Forbes, a rookie in the Xterra scene, brings extensive mountain biking experience and recently clinched the title of Cross Triathlon National Champion. Young, known as "Coyote," has been ascending the ranks with impressive performances, including an 8th place finish at Xterra Portugal last season and a victory at the 2024 Xterra Asia-Pacific Championship in Taiwan.

Other notable contenders include Kate Bramley (AUS), a two-time XTERRA champion; Elizabeth Orchard (NZL), the reigning XTERRA Weston Park Champion; and Jacqui Allen (GBR), a seasoned XTERRA veteran and coach to Hannah Lee Young.

Conditions

The race takes place in the scenic Dunsborough Country Club and Meelup Regional Park, known for its pristine waters, technical mountain bike trails, and spectacular coastal runs.

Swim

The swim segment features a two-lap, 1.5K course in the crystal-clear waters of Geographe Bay. Athletes will navigate through vibrant marine life, with the seabed visible throughout the swim. The course design keeps swimmers within 200 meters of the shoreline, providing excellent viewing opportunities for spectators.

Bike

The 30.2K mountain bike course is renowned for its flowing single-track through Meelup Regional Park. Nearly 90% of the course consists of hand-built trails, featuring berms, drops, and jumps. While not excessively hilly, the track includes enough elevation changes to challenge participants and keep the adrenaline high.

Run

The final leg is a 10.5K run along the region's stunning granite coastlines, redesigned into a two-loop course for 2024. The run combines bushland paths and coastal rock hopping, offering diverse terrains and moderate hills. The scenic pathways provide both a physical challenge and a visual reward, ensuring a memorable finish to the race.

Elite Athlete Insights

Benjamin Forbes: Forbes' approach to racing is meticulous, focusing on preparation and efficiency. He believes the Dunsborough course will play to his strengths, particularly the mountain bike segment. Forbes has learned valuable lessons from past races, including recovery strategies and the importance of efficiency through corners and pea gravel sections.

Hannah Lee Young: Young's racing style is characterized by intense preparation and a relentless pursuit of excellence. She adopts a "what's next" mentality, putting each leg of the triathlon behind her and focusing on the task at hand. Young's determination helps her overcome her self-acknowledged weakness in swimming, fueling her to excel in the bike and run segments.