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Kahuna Dave's "Night Before XTERRA..."

Dave "Kahuna Claus" Nicholas, the managing director of the XTERRA World Tour, chimes in with his annual "Night before XTERRA Worlds" ever-changing classic...

Twas the night before XTERRA
And the crowd had a grin
They looked over the season
And knew who would win

Gotta be Conrad or Nico
Could be Marceau
It’s one of those three
Said those in the know

A chance of Mike Vine
And Llanos is strong
It’s Melanie or Julie
Let’s write the song

As always and forever
Came a sound quite profane
“Wait a minute you pundits
Kahuna’s the name”

While those boys and girls
Are fast, there’s no doubt
Some others are on Maui
That you can’t leave out

Michi Weiss from Austria
Is fast as can be
And Ruzafa from Spain
Is a sight you must see

McMahon is back
And that Canadian is quick
You’ve forgotten the Yanks
They could be the trick

As for the gals
Your advice might be right
But Kabush on Maui
Gives everyone a fright

Renata now is back
For her Europe was a slam
And let us not forget
Miss Shonny Vanlandingham

The Worlds are a race
Where nobody is out
What happened before
Only gives them some clout

But when the sun beats down
And the plunge is ahead
Thats when we’ll see
Who’s in good stead

So all you great folks
Go to bed, get some sleep,
Tomorrow gives the answer
Which one could dig deep

And no matter who wins
Those who compete
Are true world champions
Finishing is a feat

So now I must go
And check out the course
We must make if perfect
So there is no remorse

You’ve come a long way
And to us you are kin
If we don’t make it perfect
We’ve committed a sin

So see you tomorrow
You crazies one and all
Merry Christmas – Happy New Year
2009 will be a ball

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS TO HOST SOUTHCENTRAL CUP

Since XTERRA announced its 2009 schedule two weeks ago Little Rock, Arkansas has been confirmed as the host site for the XTERRA Southcentral Cup.  The Cup Series is an eight-stop circuit where each of XTERRA’s eight regions in the U.S. will host a championship race with $10,000 in prize money for pros and 34 qualifying spots into the XTERRA World Championship for amateurs.  

Confirmed XTERRA Cup locations include:
XTERRA West Cup – Lake Las Vegas (Henderson, NV)
XTERRA Midwest Cup – Fort Custer (Augusta, MI)
XTERRA Southeast Cup – Pelham (Pelham, AL)
XTERRA Northwest Cup – Coeur d’Alene (Athol, ID)
XTERRA Southcentral Cup - Heart of Arkansas (Little Rock, AR)
XTERRA Northeast Cup – Sugarbush (Sugarbush, VT)
XTERRA Mountain Cup – Beaver Creek (Avon, CO)
The XTERRA Atlantic Cup site is still pending.

Professionals racing in the XTERRA Cup Series can drop three races from their point total, thus counting five of eight events plus the XTERRA USA Championship in Utah towards their final score.  Find the most current schedule online at www.xterraplanet.com. 

XTERRA.TV

XTERRA's very own 24/7 web-based TV network that launched in July has entertained an average of 7,000 viewers a week since the summer.  There are now more than 50 shows, race highlight videos, athlete profiles, sport and destination features to choose from with new content being added each month. www.xterra.tv

XTERRA TECHNIQUE TRAINING

Four of the most likeable and knowledgeable XTERRA athletes on the planet - pros Brian and Jenny Smith and amateur standouts Trever Gray and his wife Brandyn Roark-Gray - are hosting a training camp in Farmington, New Mexico from Thursday, January 22 through Sunday, Jan. 25. Trever, a former Olympic trials swimmer, and Brandyn are level 3 swim coaches and  Brian and Jenny are the fastest mountain bikers and trail runners in the sport so you can count on top level instruction.  To get more info or sign-up call Jenny at 970-596-6691 or email  jennyhopkinson@hotmail.com.

XTERRA WINTER WELCOMES TEAM COMPETITION

New in 2009, the XTERRA Winter World Championship race scheduled for March 8 at Snowbasin Resort in Utah will feature a relay team competition in men's, women's and co-ed divisions.  The race, which features four disciplines: running (5k), snowshoeing (5k), mountain biking (10k), and ski mountaineering (8k), can be divvied up between two and four racers.  Might make for a great last minute Xmas present... "Honey, I signed you up for the mountain bike and snowshoe stages!'

Learn more and register online at www.xterrawinter.com.