XTERRA Maui 2009
Eneko Llanos captured his 3rd XTERRA world Championships after having won already in 2003 and 2004. Julie Dibens is also a 3-time champion after her dominating win this year, but she has won all 3 events in a row and is the first person to do so in XTERRA history.
All images are © Eric Wynn
A prayer on the Makena Beach before the start of the 2009 race.
Trey Garman is a hard working man behind the XTERRA events.
It is just about 9am, and the athletes are getting ready for the start.
The 2 lap swim requires athletes to jump in the water again.
Luke McKenzie was first out of the water here.
Conrad Stoltz exited Makena Bay in striking distance.
The transition area nestled inside the Makena Beach Resort is ready for action.
It did not take very long for Conrad Stoltz to charge into the lead.
In the women's race, Julie Dibens was alone in the front pretty much the whole race.
Eneko Llanos though did not let go of Conrad Stoltz.
The tough course in Maui was hard on the athletes and their gear.
A hardtail is even harder without a saddle, and Richard Ussher experienced that personally for the last 8 miles on the course.
It is very important to be focused on the task at hand here.
Did we say it can be very dusty here?
Melanie McQuaid was chasing Julie Dibens all day long.
A dirt covered Eneko Llanos running towards his 3rd XTERRA World Championship title.
Julie Dibens was the first person to win the XTERRA Worlds 3 times in a row.
It shows that Melanie McQuaid has given it her all.
Cooling down after the event was very popular.