Posts Tagged ‘BlueSeventy’
Photo Credit: zooom.at / Markus Berger
Fighting for Five: Conrad Stoltz on the hunt for his next XTERRA World Championship
He has the resting heart rate of a bear in hibernation but the VO2 max to rival any elite athlete. He’s run, swam and pedaled through more (and more gruesome) injuries than he can remember. But he’s not Superman – he’s the Caveman. 39-year-old Conrad Stoltz is one of the most recognized and decorated triathletes there is – and with good reason.
With 20-plus years of racing experience as a professional, he has 52 XTERRA career wins and is a four-time XTERRA World Champion. He also has three ITU Cross Tri World Titles and is a two-time Olympic triathlete.
“The first year I did the XTERRA World Championships in Maui, I had a flawless race and won by 10 minutes,” says Stoltz. “It felt so easy, I told myself I was going to win this thing five times in a row.”
That was in 2001. Since then, the Suunto ambassador and South African athlete has had many trials and tribulations in his quest for 5 XTERRA World titles on this course littered with sharp lava rocks and Kiawe thorns: flat tires, mechanicals and crashes
Memories from XTERRA Brazil when I first raced on the island of Ilhabela in 2008, consisted mostly of sandy beaches, warm ocean, strong sugary drinks and warm hearted people.
After 8 years, most of those memories proved accurate:
Our ride from Sao Paolo was legendary- the brand new “old” VW Kombi evoked memories of family trips to the Kalahari and school trips to rugby and cricket matches. Thanks to the Ilhabela Tourism Buro! Behind is our hotel- old buildings, palm leaf roofs and palm trees at the pool. Now you spikka my language…
18 races, 1 World Title (ITU Cross Tri), my 10th XTERRA USA Series title, 10 victories, 16 podiums and many many special memories.
My sporting highlight was winning my 2nd ITU Cross Triathlon World Title in Pelham Alabama, USA.
a Personal highlight was sharing the entire year and all the remarkable experiences with my gorgeous wife.
2012 also marked the comeback of the Caveman the roadie. More bike course records to fall this year…
Finally we found the cause my injuries, after more than 3 years of struggling with calf and Achilles injuries due to the cut foot. I used to run a painful 0 to 30km a week, and now I can finally start proper running again.
Hats off to my rocket scientist coach- Ian Rodger, who custom makes my training program every day-
TriLanai- Liezel’s first triathlon! Also island paradise & holiday destination race.
Conrad & Liezel at Tri Lanai
After a lot of focus and hard work for XTERRA Worlds on Maui, Liezel and I were ready to take it SLO for a few weeks
At the very last minute we decided to do Tri Lanai and took the 40minute ferry ride from Lahaina (Maui) to the small Hawiian island of Lanai. (population 2800)
