Info & FAQs

XTERRA Youth Tour & World Championship Qualification

To view the Youth World Tour overview page, click here.

AGE GROUPS

XTERRA Youth Program is divided into 3 age divisions:

  • M/F 14-15 (“Youth A”) 
  • M/F 16-17 (“Youth B”) 
  • M/F 18-19 (“Junior”) 

The age group is determined by the athlete's age as of December 31st of the year of the race.

RACE FORMATS AND OFFICIAL DISTANCES

To align with global triathlon standards, each age group in the Youth Tour will be assigned a recommended race distance.

M/F 14-15: Super Sprint Distance

Maximum distances: 400m swim, 8K bike, 2K run.

M/F 16-17 & M/F 18-19: Sprint Distance

Maximum distances: 750m swim, 15K bike, 5K run.

These distances align with World Triathlon recommendations, and are enforced by most federations. Athletes in the M/F18-19 (Junior) division may choose to participate in Full Distance Triathlons as they wish, but all championship races will be decided on the distances described above.

When allowed by governing federations and/or race directors, youth athletes may choose to compete in whatever distances are available to them. However in the interest of athlete safety and health XTERRA strongly recommends youth athletes participate in the distances described above.

WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATION

Qualification to the XTERRA Youth World Championship is possible by the following means:

Slots

Slots to the XTERRA Youth World Championship will be awarded to youth athletes who compete and finish in top positions in any of the XTERRA Youth World Championship qualifying events, as described below. 

  • Qualifying Sprint Distance races will offer slots to the top 5 male and female youth athletes in the 18-19 (Junior) and 16-17 (Youth B) divisions.
  • Qualifying Super Sprint Distance races will offer slots to the top 5 male and female youth athletes in the 14-15 (Youth A) division.

The invitations for these slots will be sent out by XTERRA once results from the qualifying races have been submitted and verified. There is no roll-down process for these slots.

Application

Athletes who do not have the opportunity to qualify directly by earning a slot may apply for a wild card entry to the XTERRA Youth World Championship. Reasons for not being able to qualify directly include:

  • There is no appropriate distance for the relevant age division at an XTERRA event in their respective country or area.
  • There are no XTERRA races available for the youth athlete within 500km. 
  • The local XTERRA event has passed, but the athlete would like to compete in the upcoming Youth World Championship

Athletes looking to apply for a wild card entry to the XTERRA Youth World Championship can either do so using previous XTERRA triathlon results, or results from similar races that would provide evidence of their proficiency to compete in a cross-triathlon event. 

For those who have raced an XTERRA triathlon: Please provide the names of the race or races and the results achieved. The distances of the races do not need to match that of the intended Youth World Championship category. These results are simply used to provide the technical team with evidence of cross-triathlon proficiency and experience.

For those who have never raced an XTERRA triathlon: Please provide any possible evidence that will support the case of the applicant's ability to participate in a cross-triathlon at a competitive level. This may include results and times from adjacent competitions such as other cross-triathlon events, MTB races, open water swimming races, duathlons, etc. 

All applications will be reviewed by XTERRA, with the final decision being at the discretion of the technical team.

For athletes under the age of 18, applications need to be submitted by the athlete’s parents, club manager or Federal Youth representative, while athletes over the age of 18 may apply on their own accord. 

Applications should be sent in to youth@xterraplanet.com.

XTERRA WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING EVENTS

The schedule of events with qualifying youth races may be found below. Please note that dates and events are subject to change.

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FD
Full Distance
SD
Sprint Distance
SSD
Super Sprint Distance
Qualifying events for 2025 Youth World Championship
DATES
EVENT
LOCATION
COUNTRY
JUNIOR
YOUTH B
YOUTH A
XTERRA South Africa
XTERRA South Africa
EMEA
Elgin Valley, Grabouw, Western Cape
,
South Africa
South Africa
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship
XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship
APAC
Dunsborough
,
Australia
Australia
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Puerto Rico
XTERRA Puerto Rico
PANAM
Cabo Rojo, PR
,
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Malta
XTERRA Malta
EMEA
Majjistral Nature Reserve
,
Malta
Malta
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Greece Vouliagmeni
XTERRA Greece Vouliagmeni
EMEA
Vouliagmeni
,
Greece
Greece
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA ATX
XTERRA ATX
PANAM
Austin, Texas
,
United States
United States
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Weston Park
XTERRA Weston Park
EMEA
Staffordshire
,
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA New Jersey
XTERRA New Jersey
PANAM
New Jersey
,
United States
United States
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA North American Championship
XTERRA North American Championship
PANAM
Pelham, AL
,
United States
United States
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Colombia
XTERRA Colombia
PANAM
Paipa, Boyacá
,
Colombia
Colombia
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Portugal
XTERRA Portugal
EMEA
Golegã
,
Portugal
Portugal
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Cameron Park
XTERRA Cameron Park
PANAM
Waco, Texas
,
United States
United States
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Belgium
XTERRA Belgium
EMEA
Namur
,
Belgium
Belgium
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Nouvelle Aquitaine
XTERRA Nouvelle Aquitaine
EMEA
Beaumont-du-Lac
,
France
France
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Lory
XTERRA Lory
PANAM
Fort Collins, Colorado
,
United States
United States
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA DINO Northern Indiana
XTERRA DINO Northern Indiana
PANAM
South Bend, Indiana
,
United States
United States
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Switzerland
XTERRA Switzerland
EMEA
Vallée de la Brévine
,
Switzerland
Switzerland
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Slovakia
XTERRA Slovakia
EMEA
Banska Stiavnica
,
Slovakia
Slovakia
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Victoria
XTERRA Victoria
PANAM
Victoria
,
Canada
Canada
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA France
XTERRA France
EMEA
Xonrupt, Vosges
,
France
France
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Quebec
XTERRA Quebec
PANAM
Manoir du Lac Delage
,
Canada
Canada
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Magnolia Hill
XTERRA Magnolia Hill
PANAM
Magnolia Hill Ranch
,
United States
United States
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA EX2
XTERRA EX2
PANAM
Rocky Gap State Park
,
United States
United States
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Austria
XTERRA Austria
EMEA
Bad Aussee
,
Austria
Austria
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Conquer the Crater
XTERRA Conquer the Crater
PANAM
Greater Sudbury, Ontario
,
Canada
Canada
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Lake Scanno
XTERRA Lake Scanno
EMEA
Scanno
,
Italy
Italy
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Qualifying events for 2025 or 2026 Youth World Championship
DATES
EVENT
LOCATION
COUNTRY
JUNIOR
YOUTH B
YOUTH A
XTERRA Portland
XTERRA Portland
PANAM
Gaston, Oregon
,
United States
United States
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Czech Republic
XTERRA Czech Republic
EMEA
Prachatice
,
Czech Republic
Czech Republic
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Ardennes
XTERRA Ardennes
EMEA
Lac de la Gileppe
,
Belgium
Belgium
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Ruidoso
XTERRA Ruidoso
PANAM
Ruidoso, NM
,
United States
United States
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Germany
XTERRA Germany
EMEA
Zittau
,
Germany
Germany
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Costa Rica
XTERRA Costa Rica
PANAM
Las Catalinas, Guanacaste
,
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Japan Marunuma
XTERRA Japan Marunuma
APAC
Nikko National Park - Marunuma
,
Japan
Japan
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Bromont
XTERRA Bromont
PANAM
Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park / Lake Bromont beach
,
Canada
Canada
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Qualifying events for 2026 Youth World Championship
DATES
EVENT
LOCATION
COUNTRY
JUNIOR
YOUTH B
YOUTH A
XTERRA Sleeping Giant
XTERRA Sleeping Giant
PANAM
Boulevard Lake
,
Canada
Canada
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Branson Mountain Man
XTERRA Branson Mountain Man
PANAM
Branson, MO
,
United States
United States
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Lake Tahoe
XTERRA Lake Tahoe
PANAM
Lake Tahoe
,
United States
United States
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Peru
XTERRA Peru
PANAM
Chorrillos - Lima Perú
,
Peru
Peru
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x
XTERRA Sardegna
XTERRA Sardegna
EMEA
Castiadas
,
Italy
Italy
Junior:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth B:
FD
SD
SSD
x
Youth A:
FD
SD
SSD
x

FAQS

Do youth athletes need a license to participate in the Youth World Championship?

Yes, as the Youth World Championship will be held in Italy, youth athletes must have a valid license from their national triathlon federation. Athletes without a license will be required to obtain an Italian medical certificate, along with a day FITRI license. The athlete's parents or guardians must be present to sign for the day license.

Do XTERRA Full Distance qualifying races still offer a slot for the 15-19 division?

Yes, the slots previously allocated to this division will remain the same. Athletes who earn this slot will be able to choose whether to transfer it to the Youth World Championship, or in the case of Junior (18-19) athletes, keep it for the Full Distance (see next question). Note that to compete in the XTERRA World Championship (Full Distance), athletes must be 18 years or above.

Can Junior (18-19) athletes still participate in the XTERRA Full Distance World Championship?

The XTERRA Junior World Championship will be decided on a Sprint Distance course. Junior athletes who choose to participate in the Full Distance race at the World Championship will have to either compete in the 20-24 age group, or be registered as an Elite (if they meet the criteria). Slots awarded to the Youth World Championship cannot be transferred to the Full Distance, so Junior athletes who wish to do the Full Distance will still need to earn their slot on a Full Distance race.

What if there is no race available for my age?

Youth athletes may participate in any XTERRA triathlon race where the governing federation and/or race director allow. If a youth athlete completes an XTERRA triathlon event that is not the official distance for their category, they may use that result to apply for a Youth World Championship slot by emailing youth@xterraplanet.com. For example, if a 17 year old (Youth B) athlete participates in a Full Distance race and places 2nd in their division, and there was no Sprint Distance race available, they may use that result to apply for a slot to the Youth World Championship.

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