Hugo, Overbye win inaugural XTERRA Norway
Press Release / 01.07.2014
What a season South African multisport sensation Dan Hugo is having. With his win at the inaugural XTERRA Norway Championship on Sunday he’s now won majors on five continents (and raced in six!).
Hugo, who turns 29-years-old tomorrow (July 1), has won a big race every month in 2014. It started in his home country – XTERRA Buffelspoort in January then the South African title in February. He stormed through Asia in March – winning titles at XTERRA Philippines and XTERRA Guam. In April, he bounced from Saipan (2nd) to Las Vegas (7th, two-flats) to Australia where he stole the prestigious XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship crown amidst a stacked field. May was another exotic win, this one in Putrajaya – just outside of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia (he’d skip back to the U.S. for work and a stop in Birmingham where the travel took its toll and he finished 6th at the SE Champs). In June, a voyage to South America and a runner-up finish in Sao Paulo, Brazil preceded a landmark win at the East Champs in Richmond.
Eight wins in 11 tries on six continents in six months.
“Cold, crisp morning. They call it a Norwegian Summer. I'm unconvinced. The water was read at 12C - which had the swim shortened to 1000m. Large challenging wind chop. Bike and run were fast and meandering along the coastline. Stunning natural forests. Expected Ben Allen to be close, and tried to settle in on the bike with an aggressive ride. The course was high speed, which makes margins tight. 1h42 winning time or so - reflects how fast the ride and run were. Mostly I'm delighted to see XTERRA Nordic series commence. The Running26 crew are determined to establish an XTERRA community between Norway, Sweden and Denmark. It was a fine start, with many enthusiastic first-time XTERRA entrants. Sweden in two weeks time - just outside of Stockholm.”
Also of note from Norway, local Gudmund Snilstveit finished 2nd and Ben Allen third in his return to tri after overcoming some injuries, “great to be back towing the start line 100% fit & healthy,” posted Allen to his social media accounts. Cecilie Overbye won the women’s race.
