Wasle tops women’s field for second time

Carina Wasle negotiates an uphill road along Mt. Tapochao, while Mieko Carey tries to catch up during the bike leg of last Saturday’s XTERRA Saipan Championship. (Jon Perez)

Just when Carina Wasle braced for a rough race, perfect course conditions greeted her during the 2016 XTERRA Saipan Championship

“I’ve been coming here since 2011 and I could say that today (last Saturday) was the most perfect day to race,” said Wasle, who was the top female finisher in XTERRA Tour’s Crown Jewel after completing the 1.5-kilometer swim leg, 30K bike, and 12K trail un in 3:05:40.

The Austrian pro finished ahead of Saipan favorite Mieko Carey (3:12:40), seven-time champion Renata Bucher (3:22:38), and Australia’s Belinda Hadden (3:40:21). Wasle’s victory was her second and it came after she placed runner-up to United Kingdom’s Jacqui Slack in the last two years.

“After I learned that the bike and run trails had some changes because of the typhoon I was worried that the course would be a killer. But, it wasn’t, it was dry and way much easier than last year,” said Wasle, who was too cautious in the bike leg in last year’s rain-soaked XTERRA, leaving her with no time to catch up with Slack in the run race.

As for the swim leg, which surprised most of the participants because of the shallow water at Micro Beach, Wasle believed it worked to her advantage.

“Most of us did dolphin dives and we’re stuck together, so I wasn’t worried that I will be left behind,” said Wasle, who in the past five years chased her competitors after the swing leg.

While Wasle loved the swim leg, Carey could not share the same feeling.

“I wish there’s a little bit of high tide so everyone had to swim instead of diving or walking because I could have a little bit of advantage,” said Carey, who was fourth out of the water in her division.

Hadden was the first to complete the two-lap swim course with her 17:00, followed by Bucher (17:02) and Wasle (17:16).

With a manageable deficit, Wasle was able to grab the lead early and never relinquished the driver’s seat despite a tough challenge from Carey.

“I was already ahead by the time we reached the first climb in Navy Hill. However, I kept on looking back at Mieko to see if she was catching up. The bike trail was very nice and for the first time I did not have a crash,” the diminutive pro added.

Wasle had a smooth ride in the bike trail that she only got minor scrapes on her left right arm. She finished the bike leg in 1:43:06—the fastest time in the women’s field—to stretch her lead against Carey. The former Saipan pro, who is now based in Guam, clocked in at 1:44:31 in the bike leg, while Bucher and Hadden were way behind at 1:52:16 and 2:05:18, respectively.

With Wasle ahead by only one minute and change over Carey, the former went for the final push in the bike leg—her favorite part of the course. Wasle completed the run leg about five minutes ahead of Carey, 1:05:18 to 1:10:49, en route to beating her 2015 time (3:07:33).

“The XTERRA Saipan run trail is one of the reasons I kept coming back here. It’s very technical, but so beautiful. Today is just an amazing race for me,” said Wasle, who was so happy with her first place finish that she did not mind doing it barefoot after throwing her pair of shoes when she entered the loop.

“I was a bit uncomfortable with my shoes and it was already painful so I threw them away when I realized I was nearing the finish line.”

Meanwhile, Carey also considered last Saturyday’s race a good one despite falling short in her bid to sweep the Saipan Sportsfest after winning Tagaman Triathlon early this month.

“I’m satisfied with my results, with how I raced last Saturday. I had a bad race in Philippines last month because mentally I couldn’t push myself. After that I tried to focus, not be lazy, and push myself. I did all these last Saturday. The bike and run trails have great conditions. I went there last Tuesday when it was raining and it was hard. Last Saturday, it was much easier. It was a lucky day,” Carey said.