ED HUDCOVIC: MAUI'S LOCAL LEGEND

VITALS
Name: Ed Hudcovic
Birthplace: New York, NY
Residence: Kihei, HI
Nickname: The Legend
Occupation: Attorney at Law
Family: wife Irina, two sons, one stepdaughter
XTERRA Age Group: 60+

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by Michelle Cabalse - editor, XTERRAPlanet.com

His friends call him “The Legend.” He’s not sure why, but we at XTERRA have our own theory. Back in 1996 on the Island of Maui, Ed Hudcovic was among those pioneering spirits toeing the line at a new off-beat triathlon called XTERRA.

Fresh off an Ironman Kona finish, Hudcovic stood on Wailea Beach with 123 athletes about to embark on an adventure no one had taken before.

“I remember Dave Nicholas’ pre-race speech,” says Hudcovic. “He basically told us he had no idea what we would face out there. But I didn’t care, I really wanted to ride that course.” So with two spare tubes and a determination to tame Maui’s outback trails, he began an XTERRA racing career that continues today.

The fact that he was the first person to “do the double” (long before its conception and sponsors doled out cash to its winners) is testament to Hudcovic’s passion for the sport. That passion actually began in the courtrooms of Lake Tahoe’s judicial system. As an attorney, Hudcovic spent hours upon hours in litigation. It left him stressed out and tired. He started mountain biking and trail running to balance the rigors of life as a lawyer.

Along came a race called The World’s Toughest Triathlon. “I knew I just had to do that race,” says Hudcovic. “But first I had to figure out how to swim.” He never mentioned how he finished in that race, because that’s never mattered to him. Endurance sports are an integral part of his life. Period.

Since then he has competed in eight Ironman events across the globe and as many XTERRAs. “I’ve met so many great people and seen so many amazing places because of racing. That’s a big part of why I love the sport, “ says Hudcovic.

He recently traveled to his homeland to compete in the XTERRA Czech Republic race and visit family there. It was the first time he met his 90-year-old aunt. Hudcovic’s parents had moved from the Czech Republic and settled in upstate New York to raise their two boys.

“I wasn’t very athletic when I was young. I played a little golf, because I was a caddy. But I spent most of my free time working,” he says. After high school and a stint in the US Marine Corps, he headed West to California, studied European / Russian history in college and started a family. At age 35 Hudcovic was a successful real estate agent and single father of two boys. That’s when he began night classes at Northrop University School of Law in Los Angeles.

He eventually landed in Lake Tahoe, serving as a judge pro tem and public defender for five years. In 1990 he moved to Kihei, Maui where his practice handles cases involving bankruptcy, real estate and business law. He devotes a great deal of his time to pro bono work, conducting do-it-yourself bankruptcy clinics for people in need, such as elderly and single mothers in tough financial binds. He has received numerous awards and commendations from the state for his generosity. He also started the Maui Multisports Club, dedicated to raising funds through triathlons that benefit various non-profit organizations. The club’s King’s Trail Triathlon helped to raise over $1 million in pledges for the Leukemia Society IN.

Although he spends a lot of time working to help others, he still finds peace in his sport. Early mornings you’ll find him swimming in the ocean not far from the beachfront where XTERRA’s annual World Championship takes place. Now in his 60s, Hudcovic is working toward his next big goal – making the T2 cut-off at the World Championship and finishing the race.

“A cycling accident in ’96 led to serious back problems. I’m missing a disc and arthritis is beginning to set in. There’s nothing I can do, but do my best,” says Hudcovic.

When he crosses the finish line at the next Nissan Xterra World Championship, the TV cameras and media frenzy will have passed. But a dedicated crew of fans, his friends from the four corners of the globe, will be cheering for Maui’s local legend.
 

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