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Wilding, Ferguson win XTERRA New Zealand



New Zealand’s own Tim Wilding, a 23-year-old legal graduate, pulled off the first big upset of the XTERRA Global Tour season by surprising reigning XTERRA USA Champion Seth Wealing at the New Zealand Championship in Rotorua.  On the women’s side, another homegrown star – Gina Ferguson - won the race for the second year in a row.  Dave “Kahuna” Nicholas – the managing director of the XTERRA Global Tour, was on hand and brings us this report:

For four years the Rotorua weather has been sunny and crisp for XTERRA.  Naturally the first time the old Kahuna show up, it’s rainy and chilly.  But that weather certainly did not deter thousands of Kiwi’s and visitors showing up at picturesque Blue Lake just outside Rotorua.

The format for the day was an 11K trail run and a 21K run/walk at 8am followed by XTERRA individual at 10 and teams at 10:30.  In the US a 21K walk would attract about 10 people, but the hardy, outdoor lifestyle here produced 2,000!  Every age from pre-teens to 70’s participated and the compound buzzed all morning.  Two vans equipped with espresso machines had long lines waiting for great, tasty, hot coffees before, during and after the run, walk and XTERRA events.

Well over 400 individuals toed the line in their blue XTERRA swim caps and the horn sounded precisely at 10am.  USA Champ Seth Wealing led everyone out of the water and looked great headed out onto the 32K mountain bike course.  The ageless John Hume was ready to toss off the mantle of perennial bridesmaid now that two time winner Hamish Carter was not racing, but saw Tim Wilding roll out of transition just slightly in front of him and knew his work was cut out.

“The last thing I needed was for Tim to have a good swim.  He’s just come off a solid MTB racing season and I knew he’d be tough to catch”, said Hume.

And Hume’s prophecy proved true.  Wealing and a few others got off course that put the Yank champ down about 10 minutes.  By that time Wilding was a minute up on Hume with another mtb racer, Mark Leishman in a lonely 3rd.  Wealing rode hard and came into T2 in 8th place, but there was no hope for a win and only the slightest chance for a podium.  Legendary multi-sport champ Gordon Walker finished out the top 5 when Wealing got past him on the last run lap for 4th.  Try as he might, Hume could not put a dent into Wilding’s run and the young Kiwi is now the New Zealand champ.

Gina Ferguson had her moments during the race, but overcame some difficulties to win handily by posting a blistering run segment that was 5 minutes faster than the second quickest woman.  Nina Trass came off the bike first with the fastest bike segment, but had difficulties on the run to finish 5th.  Veteran Catherine Dunn was strong the whole way and held onto second for quite a while before being passed on the run by winner Ferguson and former Kiwi champ Sonia Foote Hill who came second.  A great women’s race with passing going on all the day.  Ferguson, Foote-Hill and Dunn as the top 3.

The true wonder was what happened at 10:30am.  No less than 250 teams were entered.  As far as I know, that’s more teams at this one event than we get at all the other championships combined.  I may have mentioned it, but Kiwi’s love to participate and it was a sight to see.

Simply a magnificent day for the XTERRA Planet.  Nearly 3,000 competitors entered in races during the day at a park with scenery to die for.  Families participating in the events and at the playgrounds, lots of food and gear to look at and purchase and competitions for every age and fitness level.  The volunteer base and staff do a superb job and the entire day passes seamlessly with every contingency taken care of.  Great music and sound, challenging courses, a lake with water so clear it is difficult to believe and a grand awards party and video to cap off the day.

If you ever wondered about and wanted to see a down under country with wonderful folks and great history, you need to plan on coming to New Zealand for XTERRA next year.

 
Men’s Top 5

  1. Tim Wilding (New Zealand) 2:22:19
  2. Jon Hume  (New Zealand) 2:23:37
  3. Mark Leishman (New Zealand) 2:25:01
  4. Seth Wealing (USA) 2:28:11
  5. Gordon Walker (New Zealand) 2:28:46

Women’s Top 5

  1. Gina Ferguson (New Zealand) 2:48:24
  2. Sonia Hill (New Zealand) 2:54:03
  3. Catherine Dunn (New Zealand) 2:55:01
  4. Eloise Fry (New Zealand) 2:56:37
  5. Nina Trass (New Zealand) 2:57:28

For photos from the event and complete results visit http://www.xterranz.com/
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