XTERRA Worlds: Tales of Grit and Grandeur #6

Carol Rasmussen: Unstoppable Charge

"My name is Carol Rasmussen, and I am an XTERRA Warrior from Denmark."

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Carol Rasmussen (DNK) isn’t just any XTERRA competitor. Over the years, she has become a familiar and beloved figure in the XTERRA Community, known for her fun-loving spirit and tireless energy. She’s raced in countless XTERRA events, forging a reputation as one of the sport’s most determined athletes. Always a joy to hang out with off the course, Carol transforms once she hits the trails. When the gun goes off, the warrior emerges, and there's no stopping her.

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Her journey into XTERRA began in 2011, sparked by a moment of serendipity. "It was by chance that my husband, Rune, stumbled upon XTERRA while searching for bike races. He revealed the news to me, and oh boy, did it brighten up my smile."

As a child, Carol’s swim coach once joked, "I was great at transforming water into whipped cream." Despite her natural limitations in the pool, Carol found her stride as a cross-country runner, until a serious Achilles injury forced her to stop running. "I was told to quit running by doctors, and so I sadly did," she recalls.

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But the competitive fire never left her. Years later, Carol discovered a new passion—cycling, which evolved into mountain biking by 2007 after a terrible accident on the road. "In 2006, I had a bad accident in a bike race. I ended up with two fractures in my spine," she shares. But rather than slow her down, it became another hurdle to overcome. "As soon as I was out of my corset three months later, I took up swimming to train my back and it was only natural for me later to race Cross Triathlon.”

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Her first international race was XTERRA Germany, and it marked the beginning of what would become a deep love for the sport and its community. "I was 47 years old, and people called me Carol Duracell," she laughs, reflecting on her unstoppable energy. This is also where Carol fell in love with the camaraderie of the XTERRA Community, noting, "XTERRA always throws amazing parties."

That first race in Germany cemented her connection to the sport, and from there, her journey truly began. It wasn’t long before Carol was competing on the global stage, with her sights set on bigger challenges, including the XTERRA World Championship. But the road to success was never easy—her warrior spirit was tested time and time again, and she always rose to the occasion.

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Carol’s journey to the 2012 XTERRA World Championship in Maui stands out as one of the most intense experiences in her racing career. But the path to the start line wasn’t easy. Just one day before the race, Carol suffered a calf rupture. "I was devastated," she recalls. Despite the injury, she and her husband came up with a plan. "We taped up the whole leg so I could barely move my ankle, but I thought the race was out for me."

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Then, as if fate had other plans, the island was hit with a tsunami warning the night before the race, causing panic across the island. “There had been an earthquake near Canada’s coast, and suddenly there was a warning for Hawaii,” Carol explains. The event was delayed, giving her a sliver of hope, and despite the odds, the start was confirmed for the following day.

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The race began with one of the most chaotic swims of Carol’s career. "I ran into gigantic waves," she says, recalling how she battled the ocean. After a mix-up caused her to swim with the men’s group, she was certain her race was over. "I thought I had ruined it all and would be disqualified." But Carol turned around, caught a wave to surf back just in time to join the women’s start. She powered through the challenging bike leg, dealing with the steep hills and running in the burning afternoon heat. 

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"I twisted my ankle at the lake on top of the hill," Carol recalls, “but I saw another woman ahead of me and suddenly the pain didn’t matter—I was chasing her.” The run was pure determination. When her husband shouted that she was leading, it fueled her final push to the finish line. Against all odds, Carol won her age group at the XTERRA World Championship. “Even that night, before I went on the podium, I still couldn’t believe I had won. I cried with happiness.”

“Even that night, before I went on the podium, I still couldn’t believe I had won. I cried with happiness.”

It was an unforgettable moment for Carol, solidifying her place as a true XTERRA warrior. "My first XTERRA World Championship, and what a thriller it turned out to be."

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Carol will be back on the start line in Molveno after qualifying in her 60-64 category during last month’s XTERRA European Championship, and she’s ready to embrace the next challenge. "I’m excited to participate, see old friends, and meet new ones too," she says, eager for what’s next in her remarkable XTERRA journey.

Felipe Jaccoud: Unyielding Threads 

"They call me Spider because I race dressed as Spider-Man," Felipe Jaccoud (BRA) begins, his voice full of energy. The playful nickname and superhero outfit made him stand out at 2023 XTERRA Costa Verde, but it’s his unbreakable spirit that truly defines him. Felipe’s story from near death to the XTERRA World Championship is nothing short of extraordinary.

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In 2012, at just 18 years old, Felipe’s life changed forever. “I had a near-death experience; the doctors gave me hours to live,” he says, recounting the day he fell from the second floor. The fall left him with severe injuries: a broken arm, punctured spleen and pancreas, head trauma, and a nearly inactive lung. "I spent three months in the hospital, one month in the ICU, and that time shattered my dream of becoming a professional Muay Thai athlete," Felipe recalls.

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For Felipe, the path to recovery wasn’t just about healing physically but finding a new sense of purpose. It wasn’t until six years later, in 2018, that he discovered cross-triathlon and, with it, the sport that would reignite his competitive energy. "It was like a new dream began to be reborn," Felipe explains, talking about how he found XTERRA and the feeling of being given a second chance.

"It was like a new dream began to be reborn."

Felipe dove headfirst into his training, embracing the grueling work required to participate in the sport. He found solace in the mix of swimming, biking, and running—each discipline pushing him beyond his previous limitations. "Remarkable events fueled this dormant desire," Felipe recalls. After his first cross-triathlon race in 2019, a major sports news channel in Brazil shared his story. "It brought me an immense feeling of gratitude," Felipe says, reflecting on how that moment deepened his passion for the sport.

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In 2022, Felipe took his commitment to a new level. "I became a representative and ambassador of XTERRA Brazil. This gave me significant growth in the sport, allowing me to participate in countless competitions."

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By December of that same year, Felipe had decided to prioritize his athletic journey entirely. "I made it my goal to qualify for my first XTERRA World Championship. I've been training for almost a year and a half without missing a single day," he says. 

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In August 2023, at XTERRA Costa Verde, Felipe’s efforts paid off. "I achieved the long-awaited place in the World Championship by winning third place," he proudly notes. The upcoming race in Italy on September 28 marks a significant milestone in his journey, and it’s the culmination of years of relentless hard work.

"XTERRA is in my blood," Felipe says. "It was where I did my first triathlon. I've never done a road triathlon, only cross, and only XTERRA. I really feel at home here."

"I've never done a road triathlon, only cross, and only XTERRA. I really feel at home here."

Felipe is focused on inspiring others. "I believe sport is my purpose in life, a path to help other people with my story," he explains.

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The power of sport lies in its ability to connect and uplift. Felipe says it best by reflecting, "No matter how difficult the situation is, it’s possible to overcome it. And we never achieve anything alone—we need each other."