06/13/2011
Shonny wins XTERRA East Championship
Race Report
Richmond, VA. (June 12, 2011) Shonny Vanlandingham won the 13th annual XTERRA East Championship in Richmond, VA, erasing a 2 minute deficit out of the water with smoking bike and run legs (portions). Shonny beat the XTERRA Series points leader Melanie McQuaid by over 3 minutes, and Suzi Snyder eventually pulled in for third place.
Shonny commented to XTERRA.com, '“I’ve been working on my swim and I felt like I improved. I know it’s a shorter swim than normal but when I heard I was only two minutes back I was excited,” said Vanlandingham. The course consisted of a one-kilometer swim, 32-kilometer mountain bike, and a 10-kilometer trail run.
The unusual swim course in the James River began underneath train tracks and slalomed up-river against currents. Oddly, there were shallow sections where competitors had to stand and walk! At one point, they had to get out of the water, shuffle across a dirt trail, jump in and work their way across the river again. In contrast to the short swim, the two-loop bike course was significantly longer, and was reflected in the winning times which we’re the longest in XTERRA Richmond's history.
Wiping her sweaty brow with flexed forearm, Shonny exclaimed, "It was do or die here today because I needed the points if I was going to challenge for the overall Pro Series title (where she is now sitting 2nd overall, 14 points back). The pressure was on and I was happy to pull this one out," With this victory, the big "V" should be able to pull off the XTERRA Pro Series Title if maintains her stellar form.
But for now, the longtime LUNA Pro will get some much needed (and deserved) rest for a few weeks before Beaver Creek Resort in Avon, Colorado for the XTERRA Mountain Championship on July 16.
Shonny commented to XTERRA.com, '“I’ve been working on my swim and I felt like I improved. I know it’s a shorter swim than normal but when I heard I was only two minutes back I was excited,” said Vanlandingham. The course consisted of a one-kilometer swim, 32-kilometer mountain bike, and a 10-kilometer trail run.
The unusual swim course in the James River began underneath train tracks and slalomed up-river against currents. Oddly, there were shallow sections where competitors had to stand and walk! At one point, they had to get out of the water, shuffle across a dirt trail, jump in and work their way across the river again. In contrast to the short swim, the two-loop bike course was significantly longer, and was reflected in the winning times which we’re the longest in XTERRA Richmond's history.
Wiping her sweaty brow with flexed forearm, Shonny exclaimed, "It was do or die here today because I needed the points if I was going to challenge for the overall Pro Series title (where she is now sitting 2nd overall, 14 points back). The pressure was on and I was happy to pull this one out," With this victory, the big "V" should be able to pull off the XTERRA Pro Series Title if maintains her stellar form.
But for now, the longtime LUNA Pro will get some much needed (and deserved) rest for a few weeks before Beaver Creek Resort in Avon, Colorado for the XTERRA Mountain Championship on July 16.
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