NWA to waive bike fees for XTERRA Saipan athletes

Northwest Airlines is throwing its support to the upcoming 2009 XTERRA Saipan Championship and Tagaman Triathlon by agreeing to waive the bike fees for participants who would be boarding from Nagoya and Narita, Japan as well as on the trip from Saipan to the U.S. mainland.

Race director Bill Sakovich said the waiver would be applied for the trip from Japan to Saipan and back. But this would be applied only for the return trip from Saipan to the U.S., provided they would be on a NWA flight.

The XTERRA Saipan Championship will be held on April 18 and the Tagaman is set a week later on April 25.

Sakovich said that participating athletes who want to take advantage of this offer must book as soon as possible and present their itineraries by April 4 to the organizers, who will then arrange it with NWA.

Sakovich also gave an update on what to expect on this year’s event saying that Taro Shirato of Japan and Mike Vine of Canada will be traveling to Saipan together.

The duo is currently at a University Training Camp to prepare for the Crown Jewel of the XTERRA Tour.

Sakovich is also reminding that fees would be discounted for early registrants with the last price break set March 1.

He said that since it would be the 20th edition of the Tagaman, there would be a 20 percent discount for all returnees.

In addition, a 10 percent discount would be given for early entries for both events. Both discounts will be given upon arrival on Saipan.

Sakovich said that Japan’s Tarzan magazine will be sending a writer to cover the event, and some triathletes from the U.S. mainland will do an article for West Coast Competitor magazine.

Participants are encouraged to bring any bike parts they may feel necessary because they may not be available on Saipan. Those who are on their way to Guam may buy them there.

“Pacific Islands Club, the host hotel, is doing everything it can to assist our event and being a major sponsor with preferred rates, we encourage you to book your reservations directly with PIC, for family and friends,” Sakovich advised.

One of the professionals coming in for the first time would be Shonny Vanlandingham, a premier biker from the U.S.

Defending champions Julie Diebens and Andrew Noble are also entered along with three-time XTERRA Saipan Championship winner Renata Bucher.

Others on the list are Mieko Carey (Saipan), Jim McConnell and Sam Gardner ( England), Ulli Katzer, Yu Hoon Park and Ka On Cho ( Korea), Alan Collinson ( Australia), and Christopher Flanagan ( Japan).

Cash prizes are up to $20,000 for Tagaman and $15,000 for XTERRA Saipan Championship. There are Saipan customized medals for first to third place age group winners.

Side events include XTERRA Trail Run on April 17 and the Kids Bike Race, SportsFest activities (GoKart Races, Hash Run, golf, and open water WWII Tank swims in the lagoon) during the week, and the Taga Kids Triathlon on April 25.