Allen likes his chances for 3-peat in XTERRA Saipan

Pro triathletes Ben Allen, right, and Jacqui Slack, third from left, pose with their hosts Steve and Kimiko McKagan and dog Hanako for a group photo at the finish line of last year?s XTERRA Saipan Championship at the American Memorial Park. (ROSELYN B. MONROYO)

Australian pro Ben Allen is back on island and is confident with his chances in this Saturday’s XTERRA Saipan Championship.
“My chances are good. I’ve been training very well. I’m ready for the race this Saturday and I love being back on the island of Saipan,” said Allen, who arrived on Saipan with fellow pro and girlfriend Jacqui Slack last Tuesday. “I feel at home with Kimi, Steve (McKagan) and Hanako on Saipan, my second home. They are amazing people and both Jacqui and I love coming back and seeing our Saipan family.”

The 28-year-old triathlete won XTERRA Saipan in back-to-back fashion, beating former champion and Olympian Olivier Marceau in 2012 and former XTERRA World champion Dan Hugo of South Africa last year. Allen will be gunning for his third straight XTERRA Saipan crown against Hugo, who won the Philippine and Guam legs of the XTERRA Asia Triple Crown and will also be aiming for his own three-peat this weekend.

Despite losing to Hugo in XTERRA Philippines and missing XTERRA Guam, Allen believes he has momentum going after prevailing in X-Adventure in Australia and in last Sunday’s XTERRA Great Ocean Road, also in the Land Down Under.

“I am coming off two back-to-back wins, claiming dominating performances in the biggest off-road triathlon race in Australia, the X-Adventure on March 23 and winning XTERRA Great Ocean Road last weekend. I feel confident in my training and I have been looking forward to racing in XTERRA Saipan since last year. It’s a great all round race with the challenging climbs, technical descents, and very hot and humid weather. It’s everything an endurance athlete is looking for and more…” the Wollongong, New South Wales native said.

Allen completed last year’s 1.5-kilometer swim, 3K bike, and 12K run race in 2:36:36, making it to the finish line about eight minutes ahead of Hugo, who debuted in XTERRA Saipan and struggled a bit in the run and bike course.

Considering his familiarity with the course, the Australian triathlete hopes it will help him pull off another win against Hugo and other pros.

“This is our third year on the tour now and we are more experienced and wiser about what it takes to be in best condition for the race. All the athletes are in the same situation as us. We have raced this race for three years now and are fully aware of what’s to come,” Allen said.