Day 2 of the X-Adventure, Dunsborough – Australia’s largest off-road triathlon - saw athletes take on the challenging course of a 1500m ocean swim, 12km coast and trail run and 22km mountain bike.

 

It was a rough start to the race with plenty of waves in the swim but it didn’t seem to deter overall winner Ben Allen from Wollongong NSW, who dominated right from the start. Ben Allen was first across the finish line in an overall time of 2:18:37, setting a new course record and 18 minutes in front of his nearest rival. The 12-time Xterra World Tour Race Champion was extremely impressive all day and showcased his talent tWestern Australia’s South-West. “I wanted to really show everyone what I can do,” said Allen. “I love this sport and everyone here has put on such a fantastic event, I really wanted to do it justice. “The course is amazing - rock hopping along the coast, being able to pick up a bit of speed on the trail section of the run and then the mountain bike course just speaks for itself - it’s a mountain bikers dream with heaps of single track. “The course is really twisty and turning; I just got into a rhythm and rode it like a roller coaster. I was smiling the whole way. “The local mountain club have put together a fantastic mountain bike course and I feel very honoured to be here and be able to enjoy it”,” Ben said.

 

In second place was Nathan Jones of Leederville WA, in a time of 2:36:05, and rounding out the top three was Balinga Pascin 2:38:55. “It was a good ride and run, and there were lots of strong competitors,” Nathan Jones said. “I ran a bit better than last year and improved my time and position so it was a really good day,” he said.

 

Jacqui Slack from the UK was the convincing winner of the female category, in a time of 2:49:08. Slack is the 2013 National British Xterra champion and was really looking forward tX-Adventure, her first race in WA. “I always wanted to visit WA and what better way than to tee this up with the thing I love doing most ... off road triathlon racing with a twist,” Slack said. The swim leg provided a good challenge for Slack whis not used to choppy conditions. She came in second out of the swim, closely behind open water specialist Ceinwen Roberts from Swanbourne WA. From there, Slack went strength to strength, gaining time on her nearest competitors to finish 14 minutes in front. “I enjoyed every minute of it,” said Slack. “The swim was great but a bit technical with lots of waves, so I was pleased tbe able to follow the direction provided by the leader [Ceinwen Roberts] who seemed to find the best route through the course. “I felt awesome rock hopping in the run. I got into a great rhythm and there were lots of people out on course cheering as we came through. “When I came into the bike leg it just felt better and better. “It’s a great course - super technical single track and lots of wash out turns. I knew the last section was downhill so I was looking forward to that. “It was probably the most fun mountain bike course I’ve ever done. It was just awesome out there,” said Slack.

 

Coming in second behind Slack was elite triathlete Rachael Smith, from Victoria Park WA, followed very closely by Kristen Gadsdon from City Beach WA. “The swim was quite rough,” said Smith. “I really enjoyed the run but the mountain bike was very stressful - I had a few spills. “It’s very different to a standard triathlon where you ride on the road and can really power down. The mountain bike is a like mind game and really fatiguing. “I’m very happy to take out second place,” she said.

 

The race started on the beach near the old boat ramp at Dunsborough and finished at the official race venue Dunsborough Country Club, where athletes and supporters enjoyed great hospitality and a sponsor expo. Special commentary was provided throughout the day by Perth based elite triathlete Ben Lyons. Lyons placed second in the inaugural X-Adventure in 2013 but was unable to compete today due tinjury. Instead he provided specialist advice to competitors at the start line and then entertained support crew and spectators with his insider knowledge throughout the day. 

 

City of Busselton Deputy Mayor, Councillor Grant Henley, was on hand for the presentations and tcongratulate the winners and all X-Adventurers. “The City of Busselton is very proud tbe a major sponsor of X-Adventure Dunsborough,” Cr Henley said. “It’s been a fantastic atmosphere and I’d like tthank the event sponsors Endura, Funky Trunks, Regency Beach Club, Dunsborough Country Club and of course the City of Busselton,” he said. Cr Henley alsacknowledged the important contribution of the numerous volunteers involved in the event.

 

X-Adventure Long Course Results

Male

1. Ben Allen: Overall 2:18:37 (Swim 0:18:08 Run 01:00:31 MTB 0:58:52 End Run 0:01:04)

2. Nathan Jones: Overall 2:36:05 (Swim 0:24:33 Run 01:04:57 MTB 1:05:01 End Run 0:01:32)

3. Balinga Pasco: Overall 2:38:55 (Swim 0:22:04 Run 01:07:11 MTB 1:08:23 End Run 0:01:16)

 

Female

1. Jacqui Slack: Overall 2:49:08 (Swim 0:21:50 Run 01:13:38 MTB 1:12:35 End Run 0:01:03)

2. Rachael Smith: Overall 3:11:38 (Swim 0:28:53 Run 01:17:01 MTB 1:24:34 End Run 0:01:09)

3. Kristen Gadsdon: Overall 3:12:31 (Swim 0:24:52 Run 01:24:46 MTB 1:21:47 End Run 0:01:05)

 

Top Teams

Male: Out of Touch: Overall 2:57:28

Swim 0:25:35 – Andrew Limbourn

Run 01:23:55 – Andrw Loughnan

MTB 1:06:51 and End Run 0:01:06 – Damian Thomson

 

Female: Margaret River Shire Fillies: Overall 3:03:09

Swim 0:22:53 – Charlotte O’Beirne

Run 01:21:27 – Linsey Boddy

MTB 1:17:34 and End Run 0:01:14 – Ingrid Fuhrmann

 

Mixed: The Ring-ins: Overall 2:55:59

Swim 0:25:38 – Julia Mansfield

Run 1:17:16 – Peter Shardlow

MTB 1:12:01 and End Run 0:01:14 – Joel Tate

 

Junior: Giving It A Go: Overall 2:58:28

Swim 0:20:37 – Jack Greaves

Run 1:25:02 – Jack Broom

MTB 1:11:26 and End Run 0:01:21 – Luke Sleegers

 

Veteran

Male: Nick Algie: Overall 2:46:22 (Swim 0:26:08 Run 01:10:32 MTB 1:08:31 End Run 0:01:10)

Female: Louise Black: Overall 3:31:22 (Swim 0:27:04 Run 01:36:15 MTB 1:26:35 End Run 0:01:26)

 

Vintage

Male: Brett Roberts: Overall 3:06:32 (Swim 0:27:35 Run 01:22:57 MTB 1:14:47 End Run 0:01:11)

Female: Kim Tyler: Overall 3:43:00 (Swim 0:24:44 Run 01:36:22 MTB 1:40:31 End Run 0:01:21)

 

Junior

Male: Jesse Lawton: Overall 3:00:46 (Swim 0:27:33 Run 01:19:54 MTB 1:12:09 End Run 0:01:09)

Female: Nil

 

X-Adventure Short Course Results

Top Male

1. Peter Fisher: Overall 1:31:12 (Swim 0:12:33 Run 0:34:59 MTB 0:42:33 End Run 0:01:06)

2. Matthew Walker: Overall 1:34:18 (Swim 0:11:52 Run 0:38:04 MTB 0:43:22 End Run 0:00:59)

3. Pete Duzevich: Overall 1:34:52 (Swim 0:10:38 Run 0:40:17 MTB 0:43:06 End Run 0:00:49)

 

Top Female

1. Jessica Reynolds: Overall 1:37:36 (Swim 0:11:01 Run 0:41:30 MTB 0:44:01 End Run 0:01:02)

2. Renee De Voogd: Overall 1:40:29 (Swim 0:10:34 Run 0:43:23 MTB 0:45:15 End Run 0:01:15)

3. Shirley Erasmus: Overall 1:45:15 (Swim 0:12:55 Run 0:44:52 MTB 0:46:27 End Run 0:01:00)

 

X-Adventure Kids Result

First Male – Alec Davison, from Freemantle (Under 13): Overall 0:34:35

First Female – Demi Elliott, from Nannup (Under 15): Overall 0:39:53

First Team – Bazinga, from Dunsborough (Under 15): Overall 0:29:46