Jablonski, Hoveland Win XTERRA Vashon Island

By Gary Harris, XTERRA Rep

When corporate gave me the opportunity to work XTERRA Vashon Island  I had to ask myself one question, when do I leave? Vashon Island Washington is a 15 minute ferry ride across the Puget Sound from Seattle, yet seems like another world. No worries, no traffic lights or congestion, Vashon Island offers some of the most unique, technical and fun conditions I have ever seen. Add in the annual coinciding Vashon Strawberry festival and you have a multisport athletes dream; a great venue with great family friendly fun. "What a great place" said second place South East Points Champion Marcus Barton "I couldn't come to Seattle and miss this."

Race morning was perfect; the water at 68, clear sky and the expected high temperature 75. XTERRAists from near and far, Canada to North Carolina set up their transitions with a glow of what lay ahead; perfect weather, a great crowd and an awesome venue for racing. "This is one of my favorite locations" said Rory Muller race director from Budu Racing "we put on over 45 events a year and Vashon stands out from them all."

"Five bikes to a rack please, five bikes and make sure you leave space for your fellow athletes" instructed 9 year old Junior Race Director Jenna Muller. "Is she old enough to do this?" asked California's Rob Lane "she's the youngest official at the event and she knows how to enforce the rules" I replied "you better listen to her because she knows what's going on."

Excitement spewed from the crowd as they learned of the course; swim to the blue hulled Americas Cup yacht, turn left then swim to the green hulled triple mast sail yacht, turn left then head back to the beach to complete your swim, run across the mud flats, up the stairs into transition head off onto the bike and what a course it is, two seven mile loops of some of the fastest and fun single track in the west that shown views of Seattle, Tacoma and that giant snow cone also known as Mt. Rainer. The run was just as technical with all the logs jumps and sandy descents you could handle

Mark Gibson was the first out male out of the swim followed closely by Erik Deroche with a hungry pack not far behind. The fourth person to start the bike, Jason Jablonski was the first back into transition with an impressive time of 48:39 and first to break the tape and take the day. "What a fun course" said Jablonski to his first XTERRA victory of the year "fun, technical, fast and clean. I could do that again."

Grant Folske followed in second with Idaho's Adam Wirth hot on his tail just 11 seconds out "it was close, I just couldn't catch him" said Wirth.

Bridgett Bonte was the first female out of the swim with 11:20 but after a hard swim-to-bike transition was passed quickly by first place finisher Kelly Hoveland of Portland Oregon with an extraordinary bike time of 58:14 and overall time of 1:40 for the day.

Thanks to everyone at Dockton Park for their support pre, during and post race. HUGE THANK YOU to husband and wife team Rory and Deanna Muller, Jordan Beyer, Olivia Aikala and Jenna Muller from Budu Racing.

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