LUNA CHIX PRO TEAM

All photos by Nils Nielsen

Snowbasin Resort- Ogden, Utah (September 23rd, 2012) Suzie Snyder had a career breakout performance at the US XTERRA Nationals, as the first American to cross the line (second place overall) while securing her first US National Title.

LUNA Pro Danelle Kabush toughed it out with an electric run to take third overall. The lean Canadian also placed third at this high elevation event last year.

Former XTERRA World Champion Shonny Vanlandingham suffered from flat legs and signs of illness and dropped out mid-race.

Current XTERRA World Champ and Scot Leslie Paterson held her lead on the bike and won the event, taking the overall U.S. Pro Series Title. Melanie McQuaid, last year’s winner of this event, was fourth. Renata Bucher from Switzerland was fifth.

This was by far Suzie Snyder’s best race result to date. The first year LUNA Pro had never finished higher than ninth as a professional at this event, although previously did win the age-group amateur title.

Unlike Vanlandingham (who attended the Interbike bicycle convention in Las Vegas a few days earlier), Suzie arrived two weeks early at Ogden to train and acclimate to the altitude.

According to Snyder, “It was definitely the best race of my life. Everything was cramping and it hurt worse than any race I’ve ever had, but I’m so happy, I don’t care.”

Suzie went on to explain, “I went into the race with confidence that I could finish in the top five, after finishing ninth the past two years. I exited the water in third, traded places with a few women but moved up to second during the 18 mile mountain bike course up Snowbasin Ski Resort.”

“Leslie Paterson took the lead near the end of the bike course and I entered T2 in third, within one minute of Leslie and seconds from Melanie McQuaid (in second). I passed Melanie in the first mile of the run and pushed on in an effort to hold my second place position. I knew there were strong runners like Danelle behind me chasing hard. Danelle did make up a fair bit of time, but I managed to keep my head level while physically leaving it ALL on the course to finish second about three minutes behind the winner. Danelle was just behind.”

Kabush was relatively satisfied with her result, but admitted, “Second would have been better, but I’ll take third. This was a good test of fitness."

To see Danelle's full story, go to http://danellekabush.com/2012/09/24/xterra-usa-championship-race-report-2/

Suzie agreed when she said, “It was physically and mentally the hardest race I've had in a very long time but am proud to have had a breakthrough performance at the US National Championships and to keep the title within the Luna Chix for another year!

Final Results:
1 Lesley Paterson San Diego, California (Scotland) 2:49:09
2 Suzie Snyder Fredericksburg, Virginia 2:52:43
3 Danelle Kabush Calgary, Alberta, Canada 2:52:56
4 Melanie McQuaid Victoria, B.C., Canada 2:54:56
5 Renata Bucher Lucerne, Switzerland 2:56:10

In the five-race XTERRA US Pro Series standings, Danelle ended up fourth overall, Suzie fifth, and Shonny was tenth.

The three LUNA Pro multi-sporters will now start to focus on the XTERRA World Championships in Maui, Hawaii on October 28th.

Photos: Nils Nielsen

US XTERRA National Championships women's podium

2012 US National XTERRA Champions

Overall U.S. Points Series Podium


Danelle hits the downhill

Danelle finished with a powerful run

Party Time!