History Made at 2025 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship in Dunsborough

Welcome To Country

‍

Returning to Australia after 11 years of racing across Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan, the 2025 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship brought competitors from the UK, France , USA, Canada, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, Estonia, Cayman Islands, Sweden and nations representing the region to Western Australia for the first time. 

‍

Catrin Allsop, CEO of Australia’s South West Regional Tourism Organization shared, “We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the South West, the Noongar People, and their enduring connection to Boodja (environment). We invite visitors to respect and care for this ancient land and culture.”

‍

Josh ‘Koomal’ Whiteland opened the event with a “Welcome to Country” ceremony, through the echo of the didgeridoo and a traditional song, grounding the international gathering in the ancient rhythms of the land. “This is a beautiful area, rich with stories, culture, and connection. For thousands of years, our people have walked these lands, followed the inland trails, and shared knowledge of the seasons, the plants, the shellfish on the reefs, and the places we forage.”

Kelly Patterson from the Meelup Regional Park Committee stated, “Meelup Regional Park is home to a unique ecosystem with species found nowhere else in the world. This environment is as inspiring as it is fragile. You weren’t just here to compete or spectate—you were connecting with a place of deep cultural and ecological significance.”

‍

For Councillor Andrew Macnish of the City of Busselton, hosting major global events while preserving local harmony is key: “The South West is a holiday destination for many across Western Australia, so we had this unique ability to host major events while still keeping our residents happy. It’s a delicate balancing act, but we create great memories that bring people back again and again.”

‍

At the awards dinner, Busselton Mayor Phil Cronin expressed gratitude on behalf of the broader community: “It’s great to see that we have such an amazing backdrop for you all. For us, it means a lot to have you here. The City of Busselton and Dunsborough is a truly special place. What makes it even more incredible is the community—the volunteers, the locals—who open their arms to welcome everyone.”

‍

From deep cultural heritage to breathtaking natural beauty, Dunsborough offered a vivid and meaningful stage for the 2025 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship where unity, respect, and shared adventure defined the immersive XTERRA experience.

World Cup Recap: Paties & Sloth Nielsen Sweep

‍

The Full Distance Triathlon in Dunsborough marked the opening round of the third annual XTERRA World Cup, an eight-stop, 11-race global series featuring the world's best off-road triathletes. Competing for their share of the weekend’s $35,200 USD prize purse, athletes raced concurrently with competitors in the 2025 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship, tackling the same course featuring a 1.5K swim in Geographe Bay, 30.2K mountain bike through Meelup Regional Park, and 10.5K coastal trail run to the finish. Conditions were ideal, with water temperatures around 23°C and sunny skies warming the morning air from an initial 20°C up to 24°C by the finish.

Paties Dominates

‍

Fresh off her victory in Thursday's Short Track Triathlon, Alizée Paties (FRA) started the day wearing the gold swim cap, but it was local star Maeve Kennedy (AUS) who set the early pace in the swim, emerging from the ocean first with nearly a 30-second advantage over the chase pack.

‍

"I love to swim—I grew up on the coast," said Kennedy, who recorded the fastest women's swim split of the day (24:50). "Bring on the chop, bring on the swell—I felt like I was at home."

‍

Behind her, defending World Champion Solenne Billouin (FRA) led the chase group, joined closely by Paties and Marta Menditto (ITA). "I just tried not to push too hard because I wasn't sure how well I'd recovered from the Short Track," Paties recalled. "I swam with Solenne and Marta, and it was pretty nice—the water temperature was perfect."

‍

On the bike, Paties made her decisive move. "We wanted to catch Maeve quickly, so we started to push," Paties said. "On the downhill sections, I just kept pushing again and again." By the midpoint of the bike leg, Paties had overtaken Kennedy and established a significant lead, eventually clocking the day's fastest bike split (1:27:27). "By the time I finished the bike, I had built a pretty big gap—maybe one and a half to two minutes," she said.

Behind her, Menditto and Billouin battled closely, trading positions. Menditto explained, "Solenne definitely helped me with the pace—she was really stable, which made it easier for me to follow without thinking too much. But on the second half of the bike, Solenne pushed more, and I lost some time there."

‍

Billouin acknowledged her own struggles on the unfamiliar technical sections: "I got dropped on the second lap. Physically I felt strong, but I lost a lot of time technically. Alizée was way faster—I just wasn't good enough today."

‍

By the run, Paties was clear and comfortable, finishing unchallenged in 2:43:51. "It turned out to be a really good day," Paties smiled. "I didn't see anyone out there, except for the kangaroos!"

The battle for second was decided late on the run when Menditto caught Billouin on the rocky beach section. "I caught Solenne during the first lap of the run, but on the second lap, I was tired," Menditto said. "I pushed too hard earlier, but I’m happy with my result." Menditto finished second (2:49:21), with Billouin rounding out the podium in third (2:50:41).

‍

Despite slipping to third, Billouin remained positive: "I was dealing with a twisted ankle from the Short Track, and I was expecting more—but based on the training I did, I'm okay with it. The sunrises and sunsets here are beautiful; I enjoyed that part a lot."

‍

Full Results Here

Sloth Nielsen Takes Command

‍

In the men’s race, Michele Bonacina (ITA) set a blistering pace in the swim, emerging first from the water in just 22 minutes flat—over two minutes ahead of the main chase pack. "It was a great swim," Bonacina recalled. "There was some current heading out toward the beach, but I pushed hard from the beginning because I knew there were strong bikers behind."

‍

Behind him, Federico Spinazze (ITA) followed closely, while the chase pack—including Scott Anderson (DEU), Arthur Forissier (FRA), Kieran McPherson (NZL), and eventual winner Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen (DNK)—exited the water nearly two minutes back. Nielsen admitted, "With the choppy water in the morning, the fast swimmers got a solid lead. I was probably a bit sleepy at the start of the bike—I didn't push hard enough and got stuck in traffic."

On the bike, Bonacina maintained his lead, but the chasing athletes began to close in. Ben Forbes (AUS) surged through the field with the fastest bike split of the day (1:16:30), overtaking Forissier and Spinazze early in the first lap. Forissier recounted the moment vividly: "Ben Forbes passed me early—he was so impressive right from the start. I felt like I was riding well, staying calm, but they were just faster."

‍

By the second lap, Nielsen had regained his rhythm and began moving aggressively through the ranks. "On the second lap, I pushed as much as I could," Nielsen said. "I didn't see Michele at all—he was flying."

‍

Bonacina held onto the lead into T2, starting the run with nearly a minute advantage over Nielsen, while Forbes and Forissier gave chase. "I came off the bike first, but I started to feel tired," Bonacina said. "I led for the first 5K, then Jens Emil caught up. I tried to close the gap near the beach, but he was just too strong."

Nielsen made the decisive move around 5.5K into the run. "I saw Michele ahead and pushed—I didn't want him to catch on once I passed," Nielsen explained. "I could still see him on the rocks behind me, which made me nervous, so I just focused on stretching it out."

‍

Nielsen crossed the finish line first in 2:26:38, followed closely by Bonacina (2:27:29). Forissier secured third place (2:28:54) with a strong closing run. "The atmosphere was amazing—so wild," Forissier said. "I saw a lot of kangaroos today. I almost had a close encounter with one—it wanted to cross the trail right as I was descending. I had to brake hard."

‍

Reflecting on his victory, Sloth Nielsen added, "This venue is tailor-made for racing. I'm especially grateful to have my family here all the way from Denmark. That means a lot. I didn’t have the fastest swim or bike split, but triathlon isn't about having the fastest split—it's about putting together the best race overall."

‍

Complete Results Here

Asia-Pacific Elite Championship Recap: Forbes & Kennedy Crowned

‍

Maeve Kennedy (AUS) led all the women from the start, but her lead came under pressure from defending Asia-Pacific champion Hannah-Lee Young (AUS) and former XTERRA Australia winner Elizabeth Orchard (NZL). Kennedy admitted, "The bike was mixed. I struggled to focus and made unforced errors."

‍

Young and Orchard swapped positions throughout the bike course, engaging in a tactical battle that ultimately saw Young edging ahead. "Lizzy and I had a great battle," Young said. "But in the second lap, I pushed too hard, and my legs paid for it later." Orchard added, “I was riding around Hannah for most of the bike—switching spots, taking turns in front—it was really fun to ride together like that.”

‍

Kennedy seized control on the run, cruising to the finish to secure the 2025 Asia-Pacific women's crown in 2:53:52. Young followed in 2:58:38, with Orchard third in 3:01:21. Kennedy reflected on her title, "I’m Aussie, but I live in New Zealand—I love the people on this side of the world. It’s always a pleasure to race with the women here. We’re all like family and support each other, so I’m absolutely stoked."

In the men’s race, Australian Ben Forbes overcame a challenging start—exiting the swim nearly two minutes behind early leaders—to charge forward on the bike."I made up heaps of places on the singletrack. People were great about letting me through," Forbes explained. 

‍

Behind Forbes, defending back-to-back APAC champion Kieran McPherson (NZL) had a rocky first lap on the bike, falling multiple times. "The first lap I pushed too hard and wasn't thinking clearly," McPherson said. "The second lap was about finding rhythm again and limiting the damage."

‍

On the run, Forbes remained strong and consistent, finishing in 2:30:34 to secure his first-ever Asia-Pacific title. McPherson was just behind in 2:30:42 after losing valuable seconds to a wrong turn. "I’m pretty disappointed," admitted McPherson, "but you live and you learn."

‍

Rounding out the men’s APAC podium was Tom Fisher (AUS), who finished strong with an overall time of 2:33:39.

Age-Group Race Recap: Community, Courage, and Champions

‍

The age-group competition at the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship was a celebration of community, resilience, and the trails themselves. From first-timers to seasoned veterans, athletes battled through ocean swells, loose singletrack, and scenic coastal paths, proving that everyone who crossed the finish line was victorious in their own right.

‍

Women's Overall Champion Arna Craig (NZL, 40-44) summed it up perfectly after finishing in 3:26:27: "My daughter is my hero—I started triathlon because of her, but this was one of the hardest races I've ever done. I've only raced XTERRA Rotorua before, and this was next level. Since arriving from New Zealand, I've ridden the mountain bike course every second day, which gave me confidence—not just to perform, but to really enjoy it."

Hot on her heels was Perth’s Phip Hughes (AUS, 45-49), finishing in 3:27:16, thrilled by the experience: "The swim was the best part—the water was cool and refreshing. The run was awesome too—singletrack the whole way, you never knew what was around the corner. My first XTERRA had such good vibes; it was amazing seeing so many people out there."

‍

Representing Great Britain, Poppy Crouch (30-34) loved the challenge in 3:38:15, remarking, "I kind of forgot what the course was like—it’s always a bit of a blur—but so much fun. It’s different from regular triathlon—you're deep in the bush and out in nature. That’s why I’m drawn to it."

‍

Asia-Pacific champion Noriko Kumehara (35-39), who finished in 3:47:36, embraced the community spirit: "My husband and I raced together; we switched from road triathlon because XTERRA is more fun. It’s all about community and motivating each other."

In the men’s race, overall winner Oliver Wright (AUS, 30-34) set the bar high at 2:43:29 despite challenges: "I had one little crash early but stayed calm and linked up with others to push ahead. By the second lap, I opened up a comfortable gap. The run was solitary, but beautiful. Crystal-clear water, amazing trails—I love racing here."

‍

Joshua Pedlow (AUS, U19), first out of the water and winner of his division in 2:48:45, enjoyed the fan support along the way: "The swim was tough but good. Running through the course, seeing people cheering from their houses—it was amazing energy that really lifted me."

‍

Sean O’Neill (AUS, 40-44) took his category in 2:58:43 after a battle on the bike: "I felt strong right from the swim. On the bike, Joshua and I swapped leads a few times—great racing that kept me sharp the whole way."

Jake Udell (AUS, 25-29), finishing in 3:02:14, found pure joy on the course: "That section along the beach releases your inner child—pure fun. Everyone was so friendly, encouraging each other. I've never experienced a race quite like this."

‍

Peter Jensen (AUS, 45-49) claimed his age group title in 3:07:12, and while the course took its toll, he was already looking forward to next time. “It’s brutal—but I’ll be back! Running in the sand was killer, but sharing the event with my family made it special,” he said. “My son raced in the kids’ event today, and my wife—she’s sick of just sitting on the sidelines watching, so she said, ‘That’s it, I’m racing too!’ She did the Sprint.”

‍

Former XTERRA elite, Keiron Benson (AUS, 50-54), finishing in 3:13:04, thrived in the community atmosphere: "The mountain bike trails were amazing, though the heat made the run tough. The vibe here is unbeatable."

‍

Hong Kong’s Vor Yiu (55-59), looking forward after finishing third in his group, said: "Swimming isn’t my strength, but the run here was fantastic. Next stop is XTERRA Borneo—can't wait!"

Inspiring all was Keiji Matsuba (JPN, 70-74), who completed the course in 3:47:22: "It was my dream to race in Australia. As the oldest competitor, I feel a responsibility to inspire others as a role model. It was hard to pass on singletrack, but I truly loved the challenge."

‍

Each finisher embodied the XTERRA spirit—camaraderie, community, courage, and the joy of the off-road challenge.

Asia-Pacific Youth Champions: Inaugural Winners

‍

History was made in Dunsborough as young athletes took center stage in the inaugural XTERRA Asia-Pacific Youth Championship, showcasing incredible energy, skill, and heart. Competitors from ages 14 to 19 faced off in three divisions—Youth A, Youth B, and Junior—tackling tailored courses that brought out the best in these rising off-road stars.

‍

In the Youth A division (14-15), Nixon Oliver (NZL) led from the front, securing the male title in 36:28 after an impressive bike leg, while Tate Jahn (AUT) chased hard, finishing second in 37:50. In the Youth A girls' race, Georgia Baber (AUS) dominated, winning comfortably in 44:36, followed by strong performances from fellow Aussies Niamh Dempsey (58:26) and Mia Conway (1:08:34).

The Youth B (16-17) male race was electrified by Australia's Hayden Vimpani, who powered to victory in 1:25:12, fueled by a standout mountain bike leg: "Feels good to be Asia-Pacific Champion—first time, and it’s pretty great! I enjoyed the ride most—there were fun jumps you don’t normally get on XC courses. The second half of the swim was surprisingly good for me, usually my weakest segment. It’d be amazing if I can go to Italy for the Youth World Championship."

‍

Behind Hayden, Oliver Bunge (1:50:24) and Ryan Abeleira (1:53:02), both from Australia, earned podium spots after hard-fought battles on the trails.

‍

Youth B female winner Emily Anderson (AUS) crossed the finish line in 2:06:50, running a race-best final leg to seal the win. Tsz Yau Lee (HKG) showed strength throughout, finishing second in 2:15:48, followed by Eden Uren (AUS, 2:38:51).

‍

In the Junior division (18-19), Kirby Roach (AUS, 2nd, 2:26:55) reflected on a challenging yet thrilling debut: "The swim was lovely—cool, with some waves. I struggled there most, honestly. The run through sand was tough, but the mountain bike sections were great—good climbs and really fun riding. It was my first XTERRA; I’m from near Perth, so it felt special racing here. An awesome experience."

Roach finished closely behind fellow Aussie Sam Dallin, who took the male Junior title in 2:26:05, with Kieran Brantjes (2:28:37) completing the podium.

‍

The day concluded fittingly with local star Billie Mincham (AUS) winning the Junior female title in 1:55:51, earning her place in history: "It feels unreal—like a dream come true—to be the first-ever Asia-Pacific Youth Champion. My favorite part was definitely the swim. I’m a strong swimmer, and it was just fun out there. I’m from Perth, so winning here feels extra special."

‍

With smiles, sweat, and stories to share, the inaugural XTERRA Asia-Pacific Youth Championship was the beginning of something much bigger. For these young athletes, Dunsborough marked the start of a journey across continents, through wild trails, and into the heart of off-road endurance adventures across the XTERRA Youth Tour.

Full List of XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship Winners

(Name, Country, Division, Time)

Women

Georgia Baber, AUS, Youth A, 44:36
Emily Anderson, AUS, Youth B, 2:06:50
Billie Mincham, AUS, Junior, 1:55:51
Tamika Baynes, AUS, AG 20–24, 3:30:12
Noriko Kumehara, JPN, AG 35–39, 3:47:36
Arna Craig, NZL, AG 40–44, 3:26:27 (Overall Age Group Female Champion)
Phip Hughes, AUS, AG 45–49, 3:27:16
Erica Wilson, AUS, AG 50–54, 3:49:00
Anka Franzmann, AUS, AG 65–69, 4:23:37
Maeve Kennedy, AUS, Elite, 2:53:52

Men

Nixon Oliver, NZL, Youth A, 36:28
Hayden Vimpani, AUS, Youth B, 1:25:12
Sam Dallin, AUS, Junior, 2:26:05

Joshua Pedlow, AUS, AG 15–19, 2:48:45
Angus Dickie, AUS, AG 20–24, 3:52:39
Jake Udell, AUS, AG 25–29, 3:02:14
Oliver Wright, AUS, AG 30–34, 2:43:29 (Overall Age Group Male Champion)
Alexandre Besson, AUS, AG 35–39, 3:06:02
Sean O’Neill, AUS, AG 40–44, 2:58:43
Peter Jensen, AUS, AG 45–49, 3:07:12
Keiron Benson, AUS, AG 50–54, 3:13:04
Allan Colthart, AUS, AG 55–59, 3:42:55
Tim Roach, AUS, AG 60–64, 3:51:46
Kazuhiko Ogura, JPN, AG 65–69, 4:27:26
Keiji Matsuba, JPN, AG 70–74, 3:47:22
Benjamin Forbes, AUS, Elite, 2:30:34

‍

2025 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Trail Run Championship Recap: 21K Grit, 38K Glory

‍

The final day belonged to the trail runners, as athletes from across the region took on the challenge of winning XTERRA Asia-Pacific Trail Run Championship. With two distances—the 38K Trail Marathon and the 21K Trail Half Marathon—the event pushed competitors across wild, coastal terrain, from the deep bushland of Meelup Regional Park to the wind-carved cliffs near Cape Naturaliste.

‍

With Asia-Pacific titles and qualifying spots for the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship in Snowdonia, Wales at stake, both events tested the limits of fitness and strategy. 

21K Trail Half Marathon: Thrills and Triumphs

‍

Women's overall champion Kate Baker (AUS, 30–34) stormed home in 1:30:32, capturing third overall among all runners. “It’s the first race in a long time I can go home and tell my husband just how much I enjoyed it,” said Baker. “It felt different from other runs—today felt special.”

‍

Stuart Caulfield (AUS, 30–34) topped the podium overall in 1:28:44, building an early lead and never looking back. “About 500 meters in, I found myself alone out front,” Caulfield shared. “I just told myself to enjoy it, run smart. I was second last year, so to come back and win feels great.”

Pearce Brezmen (AUS, 20–24), finishing second overall in 1:30:07, embraced the honor of winning his age group and a huge regional title: “It was more a battle with myself than anyone else. I’ve now qualified twice for the World Championship in Wales, and it’s amazing to go there and represent Western Australia.”

‍

Melissa Gildenhuys (AUS, 45–49), originally from South Africa, secured her Asia-Pacific title in 2:08:48: “It was a beautiful but tough course—my first time here, and it felt incredible to become champion.”

‍

Hong Kong’s Tsz Yau Lee (15–19) overcame injury from the previous day's Youth B Sprint Triathlon to win her division in 2:42:36: “It was hard but really good. Representing Hong Kong here means everything.”

‍

Local favorite June Ward (AUS, 60–64) from Perth finished in 2:12:00, praising the unique atmosphere: “I love this race—I really do. It’s a truly special place.”

38K Trail Marathon: Battles to the Very End

‍

The 38K course took athletes through unforgiving fire roads, open cliffs, and rocky beaches, with the race intensifying as heat and fatigue set in. Meluka Bancroft (AUS, 35–39) powered through to finish first in her division and second female overall in 3:37:36: “Today was tough with the heat, but I trained hard for this. I grew up in Busselton—this area means a lot to me.”

‍

Shonel Allison (AUS, 40–44), stepping up from last year’s half marathon, won her division in 4:04:08: “It was tough out there in the sand and rocks. At one point, I thought, ‘What am I doing?’ But crossing that line as champion was so worth it.”

In the men’s marathon, XTERRA elite Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen (DEN, 25–29) took the overall win in 2:51:21 after a dramatic battle with Tom Fisher (AUS, 25–29). “Tom had a great run—I dropped him around 13K, but near the end he came charging back,” said Nielsen. “With 2K to go, I saw him behind me, and suddenly it was a race again.” 

‍

Sloth Nielsen grabs an unprecedented triple-crown victory across the Short Track, Full Distance, and Trail Marathon races, but it’s Fisher who secures his first Asia-Pacific title.   Finishing just seconds behind in 2:51:53, Fisher said, “I’d never run a full marathon before, only training up to 26K. At one point, Jens Emil took off like a rabbit—I couldn’t catch him, but I held strong. Taking the regional title is something I'm incredibly proud of.”

Hidenari Tsurumi (JPN, 45–49) celebrated his first victory after finishing in 3:55:23: “It was tough along the coast, exhausting but beautiful. This is my third Asia-Pacific Trail Run Championship after going to Taiwan to compete for the last two years in a row, but it’s my first win and I’m finally a champion!”

‍

The beauty and challenge of the trails won the overall prize in the hearts, minds and everyone who shared their experience along the way throughout the day and it was a powerful display of endurance racing—where grit met pristine landscapes and every finish carried the weight of hard-earned triumph.

Full List of XTERRA Asia-Pacific Trail Run Championship Winners

‍

(Name, Country, Division, Time)

21K Trail Half Marathon

‍

Women

Tsz Yau Lee, HKG, 15–19, 2:42:36
Ruby Sanderson, AUS, 20–24, 2:17:53
Chynna Wilde, AUS, 25–29, 2:03:27
Kate Baker, AUS, 30–34, 1:30:35 (Overall Female Champion)
Sian Beetson, AUS, 35–39, 2:00:06
Christa Cowan, AUS, 40–44, 2:03:24
Melissa Gildenhuys, AUS, 45–49, 2:08:48
Alexandra Borrelly, AUS, 50–54, 2:01:06
Claudia Holl, AUS, 55–59, 1:59:43
June Ward, AUS, 60–64, 2:12:00

Men

Seth Thomas, AUS, 15–19, 1:55:17
Pearce Brezmen, AUS, 20–24, 1:30:08
Mack Rankin, AUS, 25–29, 2:00:48
Stuart Caulfield, AUS, 30–34, 1:28:46 (Overall Male Champion)
Rory O'Brien, AUS, 35–39, 1:39:07
Richard Palumbo, AUS, 40–44, 1:45:29
Andre Pienaar, AUS, 45–49, 1:37:55
Tim Willing, AUS, 50–54, 1:43:57
Sean Monro, AUS, 55–59, 1:57:03
Nigel Bancroft, AUS, 60–64, 1:56:21
Paul Lander, AUS, 65–69, 2:06:07

‍

38K Trail Marathon

‍

Women

Sarah Norton, AUS, 25–29, 4:39:38
Kelsey Colvin, AUS, 30–34, 4:44:31
Meluka Bancroft, AUS, 35–39, 3:37:36 (Overall Female Champion)
Shonel Allison, AUS, 40–44, 4:04:08
Petra Jerejian, AUS, 45–49, 3:33:16
Natasha Pertwee, AUS, 50–54, 4:22:23
Beck Hefferon, AUS, 55–59, 4:37:04

‍

Men

Tom Fisher, AUS, 25–29, 2:51:55 (Overall Male Champion)
Ben Leeson, AUS, 30–34, 2:55:28
Harry Seward, AUS, 35–39, 3:27:21
Matthew Howell, AUS, 40–44, 4:07:32
Hidenari Tsurumi, JPN, 45–49, 3:55:23
Milan Kucera, AUS, 50–54, 3:33:08
Ming Leung, AUS, 55–59, 5:02:56
Stephen Stone, AUS, 60–64, 4:43:19
Steve Ware, AUS, 65–69, 4:39:53

A Defining Chapter in XTERRA History

‍

The 2025 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship in Dunsborough was a statement win for a region that delivers everything from speed to solidarity. 

‍

For the first time in XTERRA history, four major formats—Short Track, Full Distance Triathlon, Youth, and Trail Run—came together in an epic off-road festival. From world-class performances by Elite athletes to the triumphant debuts of youth champions and age group warriors, every race added depth and color to a weekend that echoed through the song of ‘Welcome to Country.’ A connection has been made with the land and athletes forged through the trails, ocean, and each other. It shone brightly through the joy of the kid’s triathlon crossing the finish line and in the quiet, personal victories earned by every participant who dared to take on the championship courses.

As the last tent folded, the music faded, and athletes began their journeys home, the feeling was universal: something special happened here. This wasn’t just the start of a World Cup series or the end of a race—it was the beginning of a new era for XTERRA in the Asia-Pacific region.