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XTERRA WETSUITS underwent an online makeover in 2010 with the launch of our new website. We just recently completed our new branding video as well. Take a look - you might be in it!

CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta and six CNN viewers, making up the Fit Nation Challenge “Six Pack,” swam in their XTERRA WETSUITS when they completed the Nautica New York City Triathlon yesterday. The viewers had been training for seven months leading up to race day as way to become fit and healthy. The group lost a combined weight of 137 pounds during their journey!

Each having a different background and reason for wanting a new healthy lifestyle, the one-mile swim, 25-mile bike and six-mile run marked each competitors first triathlon. One goal that the group shares is to encourage and inspire America to be active, and remind people that it’s never too late to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Click here to watch the swim start when the group gears up in their XTERRA WETSUITS. Dr. Gupta provides a race report as well. On Saturday, July 24 at 7:30am, CNN's weekend program Sanjay Gupta MD will feature detailed coverage of the race.

Results:
CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta: 3:14:10
Angie Brouhard (Cancer Survivor): 3:25:09
Dean Hanan (New York City Police Officer): 3:32:36
Linda Fisher-Lewis (Retired Oregon Police Officer): 3:46:23
Meredith Clark (Tallahassee Newspaper Reporter): 3:50:11
Stanley Saballett (Youth Services Coordinator from San Diego): 3:54:17
Rickey Williams (Los Angeles School Teacher): 4:10:01

This is the third in a series of blog entries by Katrina Murphy, who is going to swim the Straits of Mackinac in August 2010 wearing an XTERRA WETSUITS Vector Pro X2 Fullsuit.

What goes into a swim like mine?

Many people think that you just jump into the water and go. That it is just you, your swimsuit, swim cap and goggles. This is far from the case. When I tell people the work and planning that goes into this, they look at me with a very puzzled look. Trust me, I wish that it was as easy and throwing on your suit and heading into the water.

Here is the real deal about the work that goes into swimming the Straits of Mackinac. First off you have to get clearance from the Mackinac Bridge Authority. Ever since 9-11, bridge security is very strict as to who they let swim near the bridge. You can't swim near the bridge without getting pulled out of the water by the Coast Guard. Which leads us to the Coast Guard. You have to get clearance for your swim from them too. You have to sign a event request form and you have to get a list of the things that they require for your rescue boat.

Ah, the rescue boat. I am currently still working on that one. I still am in desperate need of one. Why a rescue boat? I am swimming in some of the most treacherous waters in the world, a lot of things could go wrong. I need a medic on board, my photographer, and my swim coach. We need to be in constant contact with the Freighter traffic control. I am not sure that I want to get run over by one of them. I would like to stay as far away from them as possible. A meteorologist is a good idea. The timing for your swim depends so much on the weather, especially in the Great Lakes areas. The most ideal time for my swim is at the end of a two or three day high pressure system over Lake Michigan. Figuring out where to start your swim depends on the wind and currents (which can be coming from two different directions) can be a bit of a challenge at times too. That is why it is so hard to be able to peg down an actual day for the swim.

So, as you can tell there is a lot of work that needs to be done before the swim. Oh, and how could I have not mentioned all the training!! That I guess is the most important hurdle to get over. It has been a challenge to get this all done on top of being a stay at home, home school mom of three. I couldn't do all this work if is was not for the love of my cause of suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Please check out my fund raising page for more details and a bit of the story about my struggles with depression.

At least one thing I can check off for my swim is that I know with all confidence is that I will be warm and nice and buoyant during my swim. Thanks to my XTERRA WETSUITS Vector Pro X2 full wetsuit. I can not thank them enough for sponsoring me in my swim. I do not know what I would do without my suit. It is just wonderful. If you are pondering over a wet suit or company, I have no doubts that you will be more than pleased with whichever suit you pick.

The XTERRA WETSUITS Pro Team had an impressive showing over the weekend. Leading the pack were Linsey Corbin and Chris Lieto, who took home the crown at Ironman Coeur d’Alene and Ironman 70.3 Buffalo Springs Lake, respectively.

Coeur d’Alene marked Corbin’s first Ironman win as she set a new course record of 9:17:54. Battling Corbin throughout the course was first year pro Meredith Kessler, who finished second in 9:23:52. Swimming in her Vortex 3 triathlon wetsuit, Kessler lead Corbin, who raced in her Vendetta triathlon wetsuit, out of the water when she exited in 54:07. After switching leads on the bike, Kessler entered T2 nearly four minutes ahead of Corbin. During the marathon, Corbin slowly gained on Kessler until taking the lead at mile 18 on her way to the win.

On the men’s side in Coeur d’Alene, XTERRA WETSUITS Pro Team members claimed three of the top ten spots. Australians Courtney Ogden and Matty White swam 53:47 and 53:51, respectively, in their Vendetta triathlon wetsuits. Ogden continued on to claim second place behind Andy Potts in 8:38:17, while White placed sixth (8:49:04) and Texan Patrick Evoe placed seventh (8:52:05).

At Ironman 70.3 Buffalo Springs Lake in Lubbock, Texas, Lieto earned his second win this season after defeating New Zealand’s Terenzo Bozzone by over two minutes. Lieto’s first win came at Kansas 70.3 earlier this month. XTERRA WETSUITS pro James Cotter placed fifth in 4:05:21.

XTERRA WETSUITS is and will continue to be in compliance with USA Triathlon wetsuit regulations. All XTERRA WETSUITS are 5mm or less in thickness.

USA Triathlon Adopts New Wetsuit Regulation

USA Triathlon June 21, 2010
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Following extensive research and consideration, USA Triathlon announced today that beginning in 2013 use of wetsuits exceeding five millimeters in thickness will not be permitted at USAT-sanctioned events.

The new regulation, which falls under Article 4.4 Wetsuits of the USA Triathlon Competitive Rules, states: “Effective January 1, 2013, any swimmer wearing a wetsuit with a thickness measured in any part greater than five millimeters shall be disqualified.”

“Our board has been considering this issue and the impact it might have with our athletes for some time,” said USA Triathlon CEO Skip Gilbert. “The overall feeling is that it makes perfect sense to align with the guidelines set by our international federation and multisport enthusiasts around the world. This is a standard that is good for the athlete community and our sport overall.”

By implementing this rule change, USA Triathlon falls in line with the international standard of five millimeters recognized by the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and other National Governing Bodies.

The adoption of this rule is designed to eliminate any competitive advantage gained by enhancements in wetsuit technology in recent years. Studies have shown there is a marked and measurable performance benefit to the use of certain wetsuits, specifically added buoyancy effectively reducing passive drag. These performance benefits have led to an increased, and artificially induced, reduction in physical demand required during the swim leg of a triathlon and an increase in speed.

USAT recognizes that there may be wetsuits currently available on the market that are greater than five millimeters in thickness. Consequently, the organization has implemented a phase-in period of the rule to allow the use of wetsuits that currently do not meet the thickness requirement. This announcement of the new regulation serves as notice that the rule change will come into effect in 2013.

USAT recently solicited feedback on the wetsuit thickness issue from its certified race directors via a comprehensive survey. The majority of those surveyed supported USA Triathlon’s adoption of this rule.

About USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon – one of the fastest growing sports in the world – as well as duathlon, aquathlon and winter triathlon in the United States. USAT sanctions 3,100 races and connects with more than 133,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches, and race directors on the grassroots level, USAT provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Championships, Pan American Games and the Summer Olympic Games.

For the second year in a row, XTERRA WETSUITS Pro Linsey Corbin took second at Ironman 70.3 Boise. Corbin started her day with a conservative and solid swim, 28:32, in her trusty Vendetta triathlon wetsuit. Although down on Julie Dibens, a super star swimmer, Corbin exited within seconds the eventual fourth and fifth place winners, Christine Fletcher and Kate Major. Fresh out of the water, Corbin biked a 2:30:18, only two seconds slower than biker extraordinaire Heather Jackson. Running a quick 1:27, she tried to reel Julie in, but ultimately was too distracted by the scenery of Boise and the friendly people who tried to stop her for a chat. Corbin crossed the line at 4:29:22.

XTERRA WETSUTS Pro and fastest American Ironman triathlete Chris Lieto dropped out of the race due to adductor pain.

Amateur Whitney Handy qualified for the 2010 Ironman 70.3 World Championship after winning the 18-24 age group in 5:45:04. Handy swam in her Vector Pro X2 triathlon wetsuit, as she did when she qualified for the Ironman World Championship at Ironman St. George last month.

This is the second in a series of blog entries by Katrina Murphy, who is going to swim the Straits of Mackinac in August 2010 wearing an XTERRA WETSUITS Vector Pro X2 Fullsuit.

Being a home school mom of three young children, having a passion for swimming and my work toward the cause of suicide prevention and mental health awareness can, at times, be a juggling act. It is so hard to find the time I need to excel at my sport. I am trying to find that happy medium. I got into the water today after having almost two weeks off due to family priorities. As frustrating as that is, when I got in the water is was a breath of fresh air, literally!

This was the first time I got to really get a good idea of how much I truly love my Vector Pro X2. Open water swimming in still somewhat new to me, and so is the need for a wetsuit. I am just so amazed by the buoyancy and comfort of the suit. Since I am swimming for long distances and not for speed, pulling the suit off in a hurry is not a big deal. But, I have to admit, I love how quick it comes off. Thank heavens because it still takes me 15 minutes to get the thing on. If there was ONE thing that in my eyes would make the suit perfect...fish repellent! There is just something about fish swimming directly under me that is just unnerving to me. I am not a fan of water creatures! I thought fish were suppose to be scared of us?

Open water swimming has been such an eye opener to me. No lap lanes, no telling by looking in the water where you are at, trying to figure out exactly how far I have swam and the taste of fresh lake water with the hint of rotting fish. Ahh, I am not sure what I like better, the chlorine or the dead fish taste. But I do love it, it is peaceful, freeing and other than some blue gill swimming under me it is relaxing.

One more thing that I realized this week is how much work I have to do to be ready for the currents of the Straits of Mackinac this August. But the cause of suicide prevention and mental health awareness is always in the front of my mind and it makes the hard work worth it all.

You can check me out on my fund raising page and on Facebook at Long Distance Open Water Swimming .

Thanks again XTERRA WETSUITS for the amazing suit and in turn a better swim!

XTERRA WETSUITS Pro Team member and fastest American Ironman triathlete Chris Lieto won Ironman 70.3 Kansas yesterday after racing in his XTERRA WETSUITS triathlon wetsuit. Lieto held off Andy Potts by 24 seconds to earn the top podium spot and set a new course record. XTERRA WETSUITS Pro Courtney Ogden placed fourth. The Australian was a last minute entry as he was scheduled to compete at the canceled Ironman Japan on June 13.

In the women’s field, XTERRA WETSUITS’ Linsey Corbin was third out the water in her Vendetta triathlon wetsuit on her way to a third place finish (4:25:58) behind Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington and Australian Pip Taylor, who is a sports nutrition writer for Triathlete Magazine.

While two-time Ironman World Champion Tim DeBoom and Belinda Granger walked away winners at Ironman 70.3 Hawaii on Saturday, amateur Christina Jackson made waves in her XTERRA WETSUITS Velocity triathlon speedsuit. Jackson was third out of the water (including pros) in an impressive 27:51, earned fifth place overall (including pros) and won the 25-29 age group in 4:50:16.

Two-Tenths of a Second Margin Closest Finish in Ironman History

XTERRA WETSUITS Pro Team member Yvonne van Vlerken won Ironman 70.3 Austria on Sunday by a mere two-tenths of a second in a sprint finish over Erika Csomor. On the books as the closest race in Ironman history, van Vlerken swam in her Vector Pro X2 triathlon wetsuit on her way to a 4:18:56 finish, good for a new course record.

van Vlerken’s win comes after a rocky start to the 2010 season. Fighting a lingering illness earlier this year, she placed seventh at the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon in March and DNF’d Ironman 70.3 New Orleans in April. With a combination of good health, determination and the support of her coach and manager, van Vlerken’s training was put back on track and led her to her second win at Ironman 70.3 Austria. In her 2008 4:22:43 victory, she beat Csomor by nearly three minutes. van Vlerken and Csomor have been fierce competitors for nearly ten years, but off of the course both are the sweetest and most humble triathletes one can meet.

van Vlerken ended 2009 with a bang when she won the inaugural Ironman Cozumel in November in 9:06:58 and she was runner-up at the 2008 Ironman World Championship. Her focus is showing up in Kona on October 9, 2010 in her Velocity triathlon speedsuit and racing with the likes of Chrissie Wellington and Mirinda Carfrae.

The fastest American Ironman triathlete and XTERRA WETSUITS Pro Team member Chris Lieto graces the cover of the May 2010 issue of Competitor Magazine in his Vector Pro X2 triathlon wetsuit.

Lieto has had a successful start to the 2010 season. He placed second at Miami International on March 14 in 1:48:00, where he broke his own bike course record by one minute after feeling strong and relaxed after the swim. On April 11, Lieto placed second again, in a photo finish to Chris McCormack, at the Nautica South Beach Classic in 1:15:11. On April 25 he placed third at Ironman Texas 70.3 in 3:50:35 and on May 9 he placed third again at the Rev3 Knoxville Olympic.

Featured in this same issue of Competitor is a review of our Volt triathlon wetsuit:

XTERRA VOLT – DEAL OF THE DECADE

Just like a race outfit, a wetsuit has to be tight. Water can flush through a loose suit, which reduces buoyancy and chills the swimmer. An imprecisely cut wetsuit may feel comfortable on land but will be slow and cold in the water. The time and materials required to produce a well-fitting entry-level suit usually push the cost upwards of $200. XTERRA reduced the price by constructing the Volt from three-millimeter thick Hyper-Flex GKA neoprene, rather than five-millimeter Yamamoto neoprene, which is used for most other suits. This downgrade in material reduces the suit’s buoyancy and is the only substantial difference between the Volt and $250 sleeveless wetsuits.

The Volt is a phenomenal value because it fits like a top-shelf wetsuit but costs less that a race entry. The chest and hip panels firmly grip the swimmer without restricting breathing. Many sleeveless suits allow water into the body through the neck and armholes, but XTERRA seals these openings by extending the exposed neoprene into the body of the suit. Although the Volt lacks technical innovations, the precise fit makes it a truly race-worthy suit at an untouchable price-point. $99, www.xterrawetsuits.com

Click here to view the article as it appeared in Competitor.

This is the first in a series of blog entries by Katrina Murphy, who is going to swim the Straits of Mackinac in August 2010 wearing an XTERRA WETSUITS Vector Pro X2 Fullsuit.

Sitting here looking at the water moving through the Straits of Mackinac, I feel the butterflies in my stomach, fluttering around asking me what in the world I am thinking. I would have to ask myself that same question. Why am I swimming these treacherous waters of the Straits? Suicide prevention and mental health awareness is the answer.

I took my first test swim in the Lake Huron side of the Mackinac Straits on May 10, 2010. Thank goodness for my Vector Pro X2 wetsuit. The waters in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan are around a chilly 42 degrees this time of the year. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical about how warm a wetsuit could keep someone in these temperatures. I am happy to say that I was more than very pleasantly surprised. It kept my core so warm it was amazing. The suit was also surprisingly comfortable and fit really well.

When I started swimming in the water, I was also surprised by how buoyant I felt. I was only in the water for a half an hour, but I really got a feel for how the suit will work out. I also could feel a bit of the currents in the Straits. Nothing like I will experience on the day of my August swim, but none the less I got an idea of how strong they have the capability of being. Just looking at the water you can see how fast it moves. I am not a fast swimmer and hope to be able to complete the four mile, point to point crossing in around four hours. Right now, I am swimming a mile every half an hour. In reality, I know that with the currents there I will not be able to hold that same time.

Seeing that open water season is upon us, my open water training begins now. I will be pulling a homemade water parachute and kayak behind me, which will have all the essentials for good and safe open water practices. Enjoy the open water and take time to smell the breeze.

I hope to educate the general public and health care providers about mental health illnesses. I also hope to be able to bring hope to the many out there who feel so hopeless when it comes to their depression and mental anguish. I am also doing this swim for me. I have struggled with my own mental health illness and the open water is a place in which I feel free and in control. Please check out my fund raising page at and check me out on Facebook at Long Distance Open Water Swimming .

San Diegens Julie Dunkle and Whitney Handy both qualified for the 2010 Ironman World Championship at Ironman St. George earlier this month in XTERRA WETSUITS Vector Pro X2 triathlon wetsuits.

Dunkle placed second in the 40-44 age group in 11:39:18. She rocked the swim in her Vector Pro X2 when she was the second female amateur to exit the water in 55:17!

Handy earned her Kona slot after taking the top podium spot in the 18-24 age group. In her first ever Ironman, Whitney had an impressive 58:28 swim in her Vector Pro X2 on her way to a 12:25:30 final time.

Big congrats to you both!

XTERRA WETSUITS is excited to outfit Katrina Murphy in a Vector Pro X2 triathlon wetsuit during her quest to swim across the Straits of Mackinac in August, and eventually become the first woman to swim across the middle of Lake Michigan (50 miles continuous) in 2011. Katrina, 31, resides in Caledonia, Michigan, is a stay at home wife and mother of three young children whom she home schools. She will be sharing her journey with XTERRA WETSUITS in bi-monthly postings right here on the XTERRA WETSUITS Blog.

Katrina had only been training in a pool until Monday, May 10 when she did her first open water swim in the 42 degree waters of Lake Huron for 30 minutes in her Vector Pro X2. While she’s swimming 12 miles per week right now, her goal is to be swimming 33 miles per week toward the end of summer.

Until just one year ago, Katrina had little swimming background, but had dreamt of swimming across Lake Michigan since she was young. Her dream is now becoming a reality after meeting her swimming hero, and now coach, Jim Dreyer, who has successfully swum across all of the Great Lakes.

Katrina’s Straits of Mackinac swim, a prelude to Lake Michigan, is a four mile point to point swim between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet. The Straits are some of the most treacherous waters in the world due to unpredictable and strong currents. She plans to make the swim August 15-19, depending on conditions.

Katrina is doing all of her swims to benefit The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She is a strong supporter of the organization and of bringing awareness to mental health illnesses. Through education, Katrina hopes to eliminate the stigma that often accompanies mental health illnesses. Consequently, she believes that more people will have the courage to come forward and ask for the help they need. Katrina’s mission is close to her heart because she tried to commit suicide in 1997. She now believes that where there is a life, there is always hope.

Get frequent updates by joining Katrina’s Facebook group Long Distance Open Water Swimming, and of course check back here regularly for Katrina’s blog postings!

After 140.6 miles of pure fun, XTERRA WETSUITS Pro Team member Meredith Kessler earned second place overall in 9:46:58 at the inaugural Ironman St. George on Saturday. She was also the third female out of the water in her Vortex 3 triathlon wetsuit. As Kessler’s second Ironman as a professional triathlete, she started her day with an impressive 51:54 2.4 mile swim, less than one minute behind the leader.

With a water temperature hovering near 55 degrees, the swim offered a chilly race start. “The swim was gorgeous, blue and smooth, but indeed very cold,” recalls Kessler. “ The comfort and warmth of my XTERRA WETSUITS Vortex 3 allowed me to forget about the cold and instead focus on hanging with the lead pack. It was an honor to be in the likes of Gina Crawford and Heather Wurtele during the swim, and to come out third shortly behind them,” added Kessler. “My Vortex 3 came off quickly in order to start the challenging bike course fresh and relaxed.”

2010 marks Kessler’s first complete season as a professional triathlete and first year with the XTERRA WETSUITS family. On April 18, she placed fourth at Ironman 70.3 New Orleans. In 2009, she conquered the amateur field in every race she entered, including Ironman Coeur d’Alene, Wildflower and Vineman, and placed seventh in her pro debut at Ironman Arizona in 9:37:09. Kessler holds the amateur course record at Ironman Arizona and the age-group course record at Wildflower half Ironman.