LUNA CHIX PRO TEAM

Pelham, AL (May 19, 2012) The LUNA Pros stayed strong for 4th, 5th, and 6th at the International Trialthlon Union Cross Triathlon World Championships in Oak Mountain State Park in Shelby County, Alabama, which was held in conjunction with the XTERRA Southeast Championship. The course featured a 1.5km swim, 10km mountain bike, and 10km trail run.

Suzie Snyder lead the LUNA Pros with an excellent 4th place, outsprinting teammate Shonny Vanlandingham at the line. Two-time mom Danelle Kabush worked her way up to a fine 6th place.

Lesley Paterson of Great Britain won the ITU world title with a very strong trail run. She was as far back as fifth place early in the bike, but eventually passed all the others during the run.

The LUNA Chix competed along with 50 elite athletes representing 13 countries, all looking for their share of a $20,000 purse.

First year LUNA Pro Suzie Snyder was the first American finisher in 2:29:14.

According to Suzie, “I exited the swim in third position and rode in second and third place throughout the bike leg. Shonny had the fastest bike split of the day and proceeded to catch me three miles into the run. We ran together and pushed hard, knowing that Danelle (Kabush) was closing in on us. In the end, we battled it out in a sprint finish and Danelle ran her way to sixth place with the second fastest run split of the day.

Former World Champ Shonny Vanlandingham settled for 5th place, at 2:29:15, her first big event since knee surgery last fall.

Shonny, who was second at the ITU Cross Tri Worlds last year in Spain, confirmed, “I was super happy with 5th place considering my first race back since ACL replacement surgery in the Fall. Suzie and I ran together the last 3 miles of the race. (Suzie) was super strong and I am thrilled for her, a solid performance in 4th. Danelle also raced to a 6th place finish (at 2:33:03) in the world's best off road triathlon field.”

Shonny boasted, “Luna was 4, 5 and 6 amongst the best the world!”.

Elite Women (1,500m swim, 30k mountain bike, 10k trail run)
1. Lesley Paterson (GBR), 2:24:39
2. Melanie McQuaid (CAN), 2:27:15
3. Carla Van Huysteen (RSA), 2:28:34
4. Suzanne Snyder (Fredericksburg, Va.,), 2:29:14
5. Shonny Vanlandingham (Durango, Colo.), 2:29:15
6. Danelle Kabush (Canada) 2:33:03

The next race for the LUNA XTERRA athletes is XTERRA East Championship, Richmond, VA. June 9, 2012

photo: Getty

Shonny has fastest bike split

Suzie Snyder and Shonny V

Suzie nips Shonny at the line

Shonny's knee is obviously healed!