(10-18-07) From Press Release - On February 9, 2008, the top winter triathletes in the country will emerge in Central Oregon as Mt. Bachelor will host the USA Triathlon Winter Triathlon National Championship. The sport involves running, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing - all performed on snow.
"USA Triathlon is excited about coming to the Pacific Northwest and Mt. Bachelor for the USAT Winter Triathlon National Championship," said Jeff Dyrek, USAT Nationals Events Director. "The support that the Oregon Sports Authority has provided for our 2007 and 2008 Triathlon National Championships in Portland has only solidified what Oregon has to offer for winter triathletes and the development of the sport."
The National Championship will feature both an age group race and elite race. The age group race will qualify the top five athletes per age group and the elite race will qualify the top three men and top three women to compete in the world championships, February 22, 2008 in Freudenstadt, Germany.
"We are very enthusiastic about bringing this growing sport to Central Oregon," said Drew Mahalic, CEO of the Oregon Sports Authority. "Mt. Bachelor is one of the premier ski resorts in the world, and the amazing terrain and breathtaking scenery will provide the perfect setting for these winter triathletes."
The USAT Winter Triathlon marks the second major event announcement this week for the non-profit Oregon Sports Authority, which is launching its first model chapter in Central Oregon for the purpose of enhancing the region's economy and quality of life by attracting sports events, and supporting area youth sports programs
The International Triathlon Union has been holding winter triathlon world championship races since 1997. The United States has hosted several winter triathlons in the past 10 years, and the number is increasing. The 2008 event will be the first national championship held outside Colorado.
Minutes from Bend, Redmond, Sunriver and Sisters, Oregon, Mt. Bachelor is one of the largest resorts in the country, offering nearly 3,700 acres of varied terrain. Located in the high desert of the Central Cascades, the mountain is known for dry snow and the best skiing and riding in the West.
USA Triathlon is the national governing body for triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and winter triathlon in the United States. USAT sanctions more than 2,000 races and connects with more than 100,000 members each year, making it the largest multi-sport organization in the world.
Please visit USA Triathlon's web site at usatriathlon.org.
The mission of the Oregon Sports Authority is to position the state of Oregon as the preferred location for select amateur and professional sports events, franchises and related activities in order to enhance the quality of life of Oregonians and to stimulate the state's economy. For more information, visit oregonsports.org.
