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XTERRA South Africa Kicks Off 2011 World Tour Championship Schedule

The 2011 season will mark the eighth year of XTERRA racing in South Africa, and its growth has been nothing short of remarkable. From a single event in 2004, Michael Meyer, the director of Stillwater Sport & Entertainment, has built XTERRA into a lifestyle sports juggernaut with thousands of competitors, six big events, a dozen TV shows, major media coverage, and some of the sports’ biggest stars.

“XTERRA is really popular here,” said Meyer. “It’s now the biggest participation triathlon event in South Africa (on-road and off-road). It has really become a South African lifestyle. While we’re not perfect yet, we like to believe our team of race organizers put on great events. Our venues are exciting, the people that compete are great, it’s inexpensive to enter, and it's a great excuse to have a fantastic SA holiday.”

Dan Hugo, the reigning and two-time XTERRA South Africa Champion, agrees. “I am so proud to be a part of the XTERRA community here, and it is amazing to see how it has grown. There were well over 1,000 competitors at each of the races I raced at last year, and it seems every year more and more South Africans are realizing what a fun adventure the sport of XTERRA can be. It is safe, welcoming, social and closely intertwined with nature.”

The XTERRA season in SA starts later this month with the annual XTERRA Buffelspoort Dam off-road triathlon on January 29th, and the light-hearted promotions for this race are almost reason enough to check it out. On xterrasa.com you’ll find organizers describe the Dam (pictured above) as such…

“In the heart of Magaliesberg lies the picturesque dam called Buffelspoort. The terrain is typically bushveld and the temperature soars. Ernest Hemingway never once wrote “my body may be in London, but my heart is in Buffelspoort.” The dam is famous for a rare species of bird called the Double-breasted Mattress Thrasher, often found hanging out near picnic sites. You will be challenged by the vast collection of rocks, long stretches of untouched beauty and the dreaded water-buffalo - South Africa’s only swimming buffalo.”

On February 26 the entire world of XTERRA turns its attention to Grabouw in the Western Cape province for the XTERRA South Africa Championship race. It’s the first championship event on the 2011 XTERRA World Tour calendar and top finishers will qualify for both the ITU and XTERRA World Championship races.

“Grabouw is a legendary venue of great renown and world-class standard,” said Hugo. “It is undoubtedly the highlight of my local racing season.”

While it’ll still be freezing in January/February across much of the continental U.S., it’ll be nice and warm in South Africa, and that’s not the only reason XTERRA athletes should put this race on their to-do list.

“It’s a great time to visit us as it’s summer and athletes can take part in two DUESOUTH XTERRAs, Buffelspoort Dam and our Finals in Grabouw,” said Meyer. “Stay in Stellenbosch, the home of XTERRA in South Africa. It is driving distance from the sea, and when you’re not training you can catch some great waves, enjoy the great weather, and have an awesome dinner at one of our many outstanding restaurants. Alternatively you can also go on a tour of the spectacular Winelands, visit Cape Town for a trip up our renowned Table Mountain, stop off at the V&A Waterfront for a magnificent shopping and/or dining experience, the list is endless.”

American pro Will Kelsay took a trip to South Africa this year, and said “My favorite thing about South Africa was that it took me completely by surprise. I pictured savannas or jungles in my head, but it was nothing like that. The never ending beauty of all that we saw kept surprising me again and again. There were so many fun things to do and see for those of us who love to be active. We visited the Cape of Good Hope, saw ostriches, had baboons climb all over our car, hung out with some penguins, went for a run on the beach and that was just one day!” exclaimed Kelsay.

 Learn more at www.xterrasa.com