Inaugural Nissan Xterra USA Championship
Incline Village, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
September 22 & 23
1.5k swim, 32k mountain bike, 10k trail run and .5k swim, 32k bike, 5k run
$30,000 pro purse
www.xterraplanet.com/race/

For the first time we are bringing the Xterra outdoors weekend to beautiful Lake Tahoe to debut the Nissan Xterra USA Championship. Xterra is looking for its first national champions. An elite group of off-road warriors who will earn the right to represent their region in Tahoe at the inaugural Xterra USA Championship, where the US Champion title will be won for the first time in Xterra history. With an $30,000 pro purse, you can bet Tahoe will deliver one of the most competitive pro fields.

Lake Tahoe, Nevada has the distinction of hosting the first Nissan Xterra USA Championship on September 22 and 23 at Incline Village, there will be a full distance Xterra (1.5k swim, 32k mountain bike, 10k trail run) with pro racing and amateur point races, the half distance Microspureme Mega XT (0.5 swim, 32k mountain bike, 5k trail run) as well as the Xterra off-road sports festival.

The Nissan Xterra USA Championship Series is comprised of fifteen points series races, three regional series races and one USA Championship with the season culminating October 14^th in Maui for the Nissan Xterra World Championship.

This will be one of the most competitive fields of athletes, as they will be competing in the final race of the series where the points and dollars are doubled. Age groupers (non-professional athletes) will be racing within their age groups for the title and glory of becoming the USA Champion.  Professional athletes will be fighting to win their piece of the $30,000 pro purse up for grabs at the USA Championship. Here pros gain double points for a top ten finish for men and the top seven for women. In addition to the $30,000 USA Championship race purse, pros will also be vying for the $50,000 Nissan Xterra Point Series purse. In Tahoe the pros with the most points accrued over the four races (Nissan Xterra East, Central, West and USA Championship) will be rewarded. To become the Point Series Champion is a very coveted title - demonstrating an athlete's consistency and strength over the series and the many different demanding Xterra racecourses.

While Sunday's full distance Xterra race is an invitation only event for qualified pro and amateur athletes, anyone can race in the Mega XT on Saturday. With limited slots open, those interested can still register for the Mega XT. It is the same course that will be used Sunday, only with a shorter swim and run. The perfect course for all those mountain bikers out there wanting to try an off-road triathlon.

But you don't have to be a triathlon champion to enjoy the Nissan Xterra USA Championship weekend - there is something for everyone. Bring your friends and family and join in the fun of the expo with exhibits and demonstrations, climbing wall, food, and tons of free clinics. Starting on the September 21^st people can log on at http://www.Xterraplanet.com/ to view the live webcast of the USA Championship packed with athlete interviews, race coverage and results. The event will also be televised for the Outdoor Life Network (OLN).

On Friday athletes and spectators will have an opportunity to Mountain Bike Like a Champion. Led by pro mountain bike champion and legend Ned Overend, this free bike clinic is a definite must do on the Xterra weekend. For female bikers, Canadian Olympian Lesley Tomlinson will also be hosting a free mountain bike clinic. The clinic will be addressing specific needs and concerns for women, such as bike fit and size.

Jump in on Friday's Xterra Swim Clinic - lead by Colorado pros Neal Henderson and Grant Holicky. This free swim clinic in the Lake is great for getting those insider tips about triathlon swimming. Clinic time TBD - go to http://www.Xterraplanet.com/ for all final clinic times.

The first ever MicroSupreme Mega XT (750 meter swim, 32K mountain bike and a 5K trail run) will premiere in Lake Tahoe. Join athletes of all levels on Saturday, September 22 as athletes test their skills on Xterra's custom-built short course. The MEGA XT mountain bike leg will be the full distance Xterra trail. The MEGA XT competitors will be getting a sneak peak as they get to be the first to ride the Xterra course on Saturday. The MEGA XT will attract many who are new to triathlon and want to test the off-road waters in the shorter course.

Can't ride a mountain bike to save your life - then check out the Xterra Trail Runs. A benefit for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, the Saturday trail runs will lead runners over Lake Tahoe's legendary trails at either the 5 or 10-K distance. This is another fun opportunity to again sneak preview the Xterra run course the athletes will be running.

Be part of the Xterra action on Sunday's inaugural Nissan Xterra USA Championship Race. As a competitor or as a spectator - you don't want to miss this full distance Xterra race. Check out the pro and amateur athletes as they compete for the $80,000 pro cash purse and glory on Tahoe's legendary trails. With the richest purse in multi-sport, it is easy to see why this race will sport one of the most competitive fields with pros coming from as far as South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Incline Village, NV - September 22-23, 2001

Schedule of Events

Friday, September 21^st

1-6pm Expo Open

1-6pm XT/Xterra Registration and Packet Pickup

1-2:30pm Mountain Bike Like a Champion - free clinic with Ned Overend

3-4:30pm Xterra University, presented by Paul Mitchell

4-5pm Mountain Biking for Women - free clinic with Lesley Tomlinson

TBD Swim Clinic

Saturday, September 22^nd

9am Expo Open - Exhibits, Food Booths, Climbing Wall

9am-3pm Xterra Registration and Packet Pick-up

9am MicroSupreme Mega XT Start (0.5 swim, 32k mtb, 5k trail run)

9:30am Xterra 5K/10K Trail Run

11am Xterra 5K/10K Trail Run Awards Ceremony

11-11:30am 1^st Male Finisher Expected

1:30pm MicroSupreme Mega XT Awards Ceremony

3pm Expo Close

6pm Championship Competitor Race Briefing*

6:30pm Night of Champions Carbo Loading Dinner*

Sunday, September 23^rd

9am Expo Open - Exhibits, Food Booths, Climbing Wall

9am Nissan Xterra USA Championship Start (1.5k swim, 32k mtb, 10k trail run)

10am-2pm Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon, benefit for Team Earthwork

11:30-1pm Nissan Xterra USA Winner Expected

12:30pm Nissan Xterra USA Championship Cut-off at T2

1:30pm Nissan Xterra USA Championship Onsite Awards Ceremony

3pm Expo Close

7:30pm Post-race Blow-out Party*

* Venue is Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe

Xterra Championship Races:

Xterra East Championship June 23-24^th Richmond, VA

Xterra Central Championship July 28-29^th Keystone, CO

Xterra West Championship August 18-19^th Half Moon Bay, CA

Xterra USA Championship September 22-23^rd Lake Tahoe, NV

Xterra World Championship October 14^th Wailea, Maui