Nutri-Bay Ambassadors at XTERRA MAUI 2017 – Race Reports and Photos by Amandine Witzmann

Looking back at the Xterra World Championships in Hawaii.
A storm during the week left the course wonderfully muddy a few days before the race, but fortunately the sun soon came back out.
Race day: the stress builds as I drop off my gear in the transition area located in the Ritz gardens. We head down to the starting beach with our mouflon friends. We’re all joking around, but my heart rate is already starting to climb.
The ocean is calm—much calmer than last year, at least. After a little blessing ritual, everyone lines up in front of the big blue sea.
9:00: First cannon shot: the pros are off! We’ll have to be patient because we start last, in the fifth wave, all women.
9:20: Here we go! I set off, jump into the waves, and dive beneath the first ones so I don’t get swept away on the beach. I make it! The first out-and-back goes well, the feeling is good, and there are people around me: a good sign!
Australian exit, and I dive back in for the final loop. With a little less enthusiasm, I pass the wave barrier and continue my freestyle. I even surprise myself by catching up with a few people. The finish arch is in sight and getting closer! I can’t believe my swim time was 32 minutes—my personal best, and with waves on top of that! The crowd’s encouragement carries me all the way to the top of the transition area to collect my bike.
I tackle the first golf singles with enthusiasm: everything is dry!! I start making my way back up, and it’s a real pleasure to be able to really let loose. In the middle section, the sun is beating down and the climbs are brutal! I lose a bit of energy, and my water bottle is starting to run dangerously low. I catch up with a female competitor, and we ride a few kilometers together—it gives us a great boost! My throat is very dry, and fortunately I manage to get hold of a bottle to recharge my batteries. We begin the first switchbacks at the end of the mountain-bike course, and I squeeze through to overtake several more people. The final kilometers are technical, with roots, rocks, and hairpin turns. I’m smiling!
Back to the transition area—no cramps, but everything is going to happen now. A little applesauce pouch and I’m off! I hydrate regularly because the heat is really taking its toll on me. The entire first section is uphill, with steep climbs and short sharp rises. It’s very tough, my legs hurt, and I alternate between walking and running. My strength gradually returns, and I find a good pace. I tuck in behind a woman with “55+” written on her calf; wow, she’s really flying!
Then comes the downhill section, with tree trunks and dried-up rivers to cross—what a treat!
The last hill: a wall of a road announcing 2 km remaining. I climb it through sheer determination, then quickly continue into the descent that follows and leads back to the beach. There I hear Arnaud encouraging me, so I speed up again. The sand, the sea, the final kilometer. Everything rushes through my head, and my legs start moving on their own. Last straightaway to the finish arch, I raise my arms, happy with my race, proud to have given it my all, which also marks the end of a long season!
I collapse from exhaustion and the tears flow on their own!
Time: 4:02. 11th out of 17 in my category, which was highly competitive, and a great 76th place out of 240 overall.

An overwhelming emotion when Arnaud Taurelle tells me he won his age category, and moreover, he records the best amateur performance and takes 15th place among the pros.
Machine 😗❤❤

Thanks to everyone who supported us from the other side of the world, and to those who believed in us.
Thanks to our sponsors, without whom this would not have been possible: Médicryo for the top-notch ice cryotherapy sessions!
Nutri-Bay.com for the nutrition pack that gave us a boost during the races
GetUp Nancy for the sessions at the center and the jersey printing
@MAIF
Dijon Singletrack

One more little word for all the mouflons who ran a crazy race, and especially for my Pauline Aigon, who brought us a superb 3rd place in the same category as me 😗😗