Saipan Sports Fest 2009 set to sizzle

Saipan Sports Fest 2009 is set to sizzle from April 15 to 26 here in the CNMI.

The annual event, set in this tropical paradise in the western Pacific, is expected to attract competitors from around the world for the 8th XTERRA Saipan Championship and the 20th Annual Tagaman Triathlon.

The crown jewel of the XTERRA Global Tour, the XTERRA Saipan Championship will offer competitors of all levels a challenging course on April 18 highlighting Saipan’s lush jungles, Japanese caves, and war relics from World War II.

The Tagaman Triathlon on April 25 will give competitors an opportunity to see the most of Saipan. The 2-kilometer swim starts at Pacific Islands Club Saipan in the south, with the 60-km bike taking competitors all the way north to Bird Island. The 15-km run starts and finishes at Micro Beach.

“The Northern Marianas Islands are a tropical island paradise, and this annual sports fest gives us an excellent opportunity to share that beauty with a broad international audience,” said Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Perry Tenorio. “We’re looking forward to another round of strong competition and memorable moments this year.”

This year’s events include:

April 17: Tank to Tank Swim, XTERRA Sunset Scramble 5k/10k and awards ceremony, XTERRA Saipan Welcome Reception;

April 18: XTERRA Saipan Championship, XTERRA Sport, XTERRA Kids Bike Race, XTERRA Saipan Championship Awards Ceremony and Awards Dinner;

April 19: XTERRA Saipan Championship Beach Barbeque;

April 20: Bike Tour of Marpi;

April 21: Pro Bike Clinic;

April 22: Tank to Tank Swim, Hash Run; and

April 25: 20th Annual Tagaman Triathlon.

XTERRA Saipan Championship and Tagaman defending champions Andrew Noble and Renata Bucher have confirmed that they will return to defend their PIC Double titles. Julie Dibens, XTERRA 2008 World Champion who also won the women’s 2007 XTERRA Saipan Championship, is returning. Ditto for Mike Vine, winner of the first XTERRA Saipan Championship. Current USA Champion and seven-time NORBA winner Shonny Vanlandingham will join the event for the first time.

For further details or to register, visit www.xterraplanet.com or www.saipansports.com.
Mandatory athlete briefing will held at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan beach volleyball ball court area for the XTERRA Saipan Championship on April 17 and for Tagaman on April 24. (PR)