Mendez, Duffy win 2016 Xterra World Championships

On a day where 29-year-old Bermudan Flora Duffy emphatically captured her third straight title at the Xterra World Championships in Maui, Hawaii, on Sunday, it was a changing of the guard in the men’s field as recently turned 21-year-old (October 20) Mexican Mauricio Mendez recorded his first pro world title with a 24-second victory over three-time champion Ruben Ruzafa (ESP).

Featuring a 1.5km swim, 30km mountain bike and 10km trail run, more than 70 elite athletes, representing 27 countries were on the start of the 21st edition (20th anniversary) of off-road triathlon’s most respected event and fighting for a share of the $100,000 (USD) prize purse.

Mendez, who won the race as an 18-year-old amateur in 2013, finished fifth in his first year as a pro 12 months later and fourth last year before taking the crown with a time of 2 hours 49 minutes and 38 seconds.

Ruzafa took second (2:51:02) with Ben Allen (AUS) rounding out the podium in third. Defending men’s champion Josiah Middaugh (USA) crossed the line in fifth (2:58:06) two and a half minutes behind reigning Xterra Asia-Pacific champion Braden Currie (NZL) in fourth (2:55:48).

“It’s a dream come true,” said Mendez, who is the first pro from Mexico to win an Xterra World title.  “I’ve looked up to these guys for so long and now to be up here with them is very special. I’m just happy, really happy.”

In the elite women’s field, Duffy led from start to finish to become the second woman to win three straight by tying Great Britain’s Julie Dibens (2007-09). 

Duffy made it look easy with a 10-minute (10:02) victory over two-time champion Lesley Paterson (GBR), who also finished a close second to Duffy last year, and 14 minutes (14:04) over American Suzie Snyder.

“It was really tough out there,” said Duffy. “I crashed on the bike, went over the handlebars and flying into the bushes.  My gears weren’t working, and all the while Lesley was back there charging hard behind me.

“The three-peat is really cool. It’s actually probably even cooler in the fact that I also won the ITU World Championship and then to back it up with this, wow, it’s really a year I could not have asked for.

“And to tie Julie’s record of three in a row, it’s not easy to do you know,” she continued. “So many things can go wrong out there. You really need a bit of luck, to prepare meticulously.”

Elite men

1. Mauricio Mendez, MEX, 2:49:38

2. Ruben Ruzafa, ESP, 2:51:02

3. Ben Allen, AUS, 2:53:49

4. Braden Currie, NZL, 2:55:48

5. Josiah Middaugh, USA, 2:58:06

6. Leonardo Chacon, CRC, 2:57:14

7. Ben Hoffman, USA, 3:01:41

8. Courtney Atkinson, AUS, 3:02:22

9. Sam Osborne, NZL, 3:02:52

10. Rom Akerson, CRC, 3:05:16

Elite women

1. Flora Duffy, BER, 3:14:59

2. Lesley Paterson, GBR, 3:25:01

3. Suzie Snyder, USA, 3:29:03

4. Myriam Guillot-Boisset, FRA, 3:30:51

5. Helena Erbenova, CZE, 3:32:54

6. Michelle Flipo, MEX, 3:35:49

7. Jacqui Slack, GBR, 3:41:45

8. Lizzie Orchard, NZL 3:42:14

9. Carina Wasle, AUT, 3:44:19

10. Joanna Brown, CAN, 3:56:59