2013 XTERRA West Champs Guide:2007 XTERRA Saipan Press ...

XTERRA WEST CHAMPIONSHIP PRO PREVIEWThe XTERRA U.S. Pro Series opener at Lake Las VegasResort in Henderson, Nevada next Saturday, April 13 willfeature some of the sports biggest stars with Conrad Stoltzand Josiah Middaugh highlighting the men's field; andLesley Paterson, Shonny Vanlandingham, and MelanieMcQuaid leading the charge for the women.The CavemanWe caught up with XTERRA managing director DaveNicholas to get his thoughts on the upcoming XTERRAWest Championship pro race..."The long winter is over and Spring brings with it a newXTERRA season," wrote Nicholas. "The first two weekendsof points series races is in the books, and the firstChampionship weekend is just a week away.There is little doubt that Lesley Paterson has stamped hermark on XTERRA. Now a two-time world champ and anamazing 3rd overall in the Philippines surely must make herthe favorite going into the year. The men have been allabout Conrad versus Josiah and for Vegas I don't see anobvious change.Craig Evans has shown fantastic bursts of speed and cannever be taken lightly along with Branden Rakita who is ohso close at times. Will "the Thrill" Kelsey gets stronger everyyear and at 31 - is the youngest of the five. Dan Hugo won'tbe in Vegas but will return to the U.S. for Pelham andRichmond and is always at the sharp end of the field.For the women, former world champ ShonnyVanlandingham seems ready to return to the top step. Sheraced really well in South Africa on the bike and has hadover a month to get her running legs under her. Never to bedismissed is three-time world champ Melanie McQuaid. Melstarted the season at the Oceanside 70.3 to get her seasongoing and has not had a season without a win in a dozenyears. Fellow Canadian Danelle Kabush broke through witha win of her own in Colorado last year and has always beena fierce competitor while the defending USA national champSuzie Snyder, like Kelsey, is only 31 and getting faster everyyear.There are 14 pro women scheduled with great names likeChristine "Big Fish" Jeffrey; and Emma Garrard and KelleyCullen return from becoming Mom's. Among the 14 pro menare some experienced XTERRA guys like Ryan Ignatz, MattLieto, youngster Will Ross and Chris Ganter.9