At the first XTERRA (or AquaTerra as it was then known) there were 123 competitors on the start line at Wailea Beach.  It was a “who’s who” of triathlon and mountain biking. One of those competitors was a perky, pony-tailed, blonde Team Ritchey rider. She was an accomplished mountain biker – a U.S. champion in both cycling and cyclocross and she was to have a major impact on XTERRA.

It turned out to be one of the most exciting women’s races we have ever seen.  Michellie Jones was the first woman out of the water but that lead didn’t last long. She was picked off on the mountain bike by Shari Kain whose expertise on the mountain bike earned her a seven minute lead over Jones by the time she hit T2.  But Michellie did not give up easily, and she chipped away at Shari’s lead and pulled along side her only 800 meters from the finish.  The two ran together across Wailea Beach and in the final steps of the race Michellie inched away to take the first ever XTERRA World Championship by only 12 seconds.

She returned the following year determined to take the title – only to suffer the wrath of Madam Pele on the bike course and finish 90th overall.  1999 turned out to be Sharoo’s winning year.  Who can forget her dancing hula across the finish line in a grass skirt – an act that is immortalized on one of the banners hanging on our tents.

Shari raced XTERRA on and off for many years – in between giving birth to two children – and always brought great professionalism and FUN.

For her contributions to the sport – XTERRA is proud to induct Shari “Sharoo” Kain into the XTERRA Hall of Fame.