Australian Nationals to serve as ITU X-Tri Worlds elite, U23, U19 and paratriathletes selection race

BRISBANE, Australia - Feb. 4, 2016 - PRLog -- Early entry for the Australian Cross Triathlon (X-Tri) Championships and MultiSport Festival may have closed, but a select few remaining slots are still available in the elite categories and are filling up fast.

Athletes have until 24 February to register for the two-day multisport festival weekend (27-28 Feb). The marquee event is the second of three selection races for age group athletes and the only qualification race for elites, under-23s (U23), under-19s (Junior) and paratriathletes to qualify for the upcoming 2016 ITU X-Tri World Championships (18-20 Nov) to be held in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time.

Both the Nationals and Worlds, as well as the three-day, five-stage Snowies Mountain Bike Festival in two weeks (12-14 Feb), will be held at the same stunning location surrounding Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa in the heart of the iconic Snowy Mountains of New South Wales.

The race is open to all competitors aged 15 years and over, however, to be eligible for Australian Championship status and awards, competitors must be over 18 and be full financial members of Triathlon Australia (TA).

The X-Tri championship long course features a 1500m swim in the crisp, crystal waters of Lake Crackenback, followed by an awe-inspiring two-lap, 30km mountain bike course over a sculpted flowing single track. A challenging 10km trail run to the finish completes the third and final leg of the off-road triathlon.

With a $10,000 prize purse – as well as the green and gold national stripes – up for grabs, the Australian X-Tri Championship is attracting a who’s who of off-road endurance racing, including TreX ambassadors and Victorian state champions Ben Allen (AUS) and Jacqui Slack (GBR), as well as respective rivals Brodie Gardner (AUS) and Renata Bucher (SUI).

Shorter distance races for juniors (10-15yrs) and Dirt Kids (7-10yrs) are also on offer, as well as a teaser (200m / 6km / 1km) for those interested in getting their feet wet, so to speak.

“With a record number of competitors registered already and still four weeks to go, this is going to be one of the biggest off road tri events in Australia and we look forward to some tremendous racing in a spectacular Aussie location in preparation for the ITU Worlds in November,” said In2Adventure event director Robyn Lazenby, host of both the Australian Nationals and ITU X-Tri Worlds.

2016 Australian Cross Triathlon Championships

Provisional start list

Australian Men – Elite

Ben Allen (NSW)

Chris Benjamin (NSW)

Taylor Charlton (QLD)

Phil Cross (NSW)

Brodie Gardner (QLD)

Australian Women – Elite

Kim Beckinsale (QLD)

Kat Cassidy (NSW)

Brooke Darlington (NSW)

Belinda Hadden (VIC)

Penny Hosken (VIC)

Janet Martin (NSW)

Jessica Richards (NSW)

Jessica Simpson (NSW)
Catherine Sterling (VIC)

International Women – Elite

Renata Bucher (SUI)

Jacqui Slack (GBR)

U23 Men/Women

This is your chance to represent Australia at the world champs. Six male and six female slots are up for grabs.

Junior (16-19yrs) – Men

Dean Cane (QLD)

Jayden Deane (QLD)

Declan Jeffery (VIC)

Callum Kingston (QLD)

Jack Porter (NSW)
Kaden Warrilow (QLD)
Lachlan Harrigan (NSW)

Junior (16-19yrs) – Women

This is your chance to represent Australia at the world champs. Six female slots are up for grabs.

Paratriathlon – Men

Justin Godfrey – PT3 (NSW)

More Information
For more information about elite, u23, u19 & paratri world champs selection visit the website HERE (http://tre-x.com.au/events/201516-australian-x-tri-champi...)

About TreX:

For seven years TreX has positioned itself as the pinnacle of the cross – or off-road – triathlon racing series in Asia-Pacific. Presented by the premier outdoor adventure event specialists In2Adventure, TreX consists of a reservoir swim, mountain bike and trail run. While each TreX event features an elite category with industry-leading prize purses, including $50,000 for the 2016 ITU World Cross Triathlon Championships, the TreX Cross Triathlon national series invites participation from all ages and skill levels. For more information, please visit TreX here (http://www.tre-x.com.au/).

About In2Adventure:

In2Adventure is Asia-Pacific’s premier adventure event specialists. With a full calendar of national events scheduled throughout Australia, including adventure races, cross triathlon, XC Mountain Bike, trail runs and corporate events, In2Adventure fully embraces all things ‘off road’ and ‘off the beaten track’ and offers a unique, individual experience for all ages and skill levels. For more information visit In2Adventure here (http://tre-x.com.au/about/).

Upcoming Events (2015/16):

•  Snowies MTB Festival – Snowy Mountains, NSW, 12-14 February 2016

• Australian Cross Triathlon Championships (2016 Worlds Qualifier) – Snowy Mountains, NSW, 27-28 February 2016

• Queensland Cross Triathlon Championships (2016 Worlds Qualifier) – Sunshine Coast, QLD, 16-17 April 2016

• ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships – Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa, Snowy Mountains, NSW, 18-20 November 2016