Xterra Blog
Categories
Archive
February 2010 Archive
Fastest American IM Triathlete Chris Lieto Trusts XTERRA WETSUITS
We are proud to announce a new partnership with American professional triathlete Chris Lieto. Overall runner-up and first American at the 2009 Ironman World Championship, Lieto has signed to race with XTERRA WETSUITS for the 2010 season.
The Danville, California native started his triathlon career in 1997 after reading a story about triathlon legend Mark Allen. Now at age 37 and nearly 100 triathlons later, Lieto has risen in the pro ranks with multiple Ironman wins, a U.S. Ironman championship and three top-10 finishes at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Coming in just shy of the top spot by three minutes at last year’s Ironman World Championship proves that every second counts. That’s why Lieto is teaming up with XTERRA WETSUITS to ensure that he swims to his maximum ability with the least amount of effort.
We are excited to welcome Chris to the XTERRA WETSUITS family as his passion and success has turned him into a role model and ambassador in the sport of triathlon. We look forward to helping him in his quest to become a world champion in 2010.
Lieto is joining an elite team of professional athletes with XTERRA WETSUITS, including Linsey Corbin (USA), Charlotte McShane (Australia), Yvonne van Vlerken (Netherlands) and Sandra Wallenhorst (Germany).
Chris Lieto wearing his XTERRA Vector Pro X2 triathlon wetsuit in the latest issue of Triathlete Magazine
Chris Lieto in an XTERRA Vortex 3 FullsuitThe $99 Volt is the Ultimate Entry-Level Wetsuit for 2010
Priced at only $99, we are excited to introduce the Volt as the ultimate entry-level wetsuit for 2010. With tens of thousands of athletes becoming triathletes each year, the Volt is everything an entry level wetsuit needs to be: comfortable, durable, fast and affordable.
It’s common for triathlon wetsuits to be priced upwards of $400 to $700, making them one of the more expensive gear buys. But with the Volt priced at only $99, it is certain to capture the attention of every triathlete, whether for training or on race-day. Beginners will love the all-around comfort. Experienced triathletes will love the flexibility. Everyone will love the price.
The Volt uses a technologically advanced Hyper-Flex GKA Neoprene and X-Flex Liner to offer the best combination of buoyancy, durability and flexibility is all four directions. The wetsuit’s 3 mm front and 2 mm back provides enough buoyancy to make any triathlete swim quickly through a sprint or Olympic-distance triathlon, while it’s soft, high-end liner makes it easy to get off in transition before you jump on your bike.
The Volt is available exclusively at www.xterrawetsuits.com
Swim Tips From a Pro - Yvonne van Vlerken
Yvonne is from the Netherlands and won the 2009 Ironman Cozumel when she swam in her XTERRA Velocity ++ speedsuit. In July 2008, Yvonne set a new world record of 8:45:48 for an Ironman distance race at the Quelle Challenge Roth in Germany, more than five minutes faster than Paula Newby-Fraser’s world record of 8:50:53, which had stood for 14 years. She also placed second at the 2008 Ironman World Championship. She has been wearing XTERRA WETSUITS since 2009.
1. Get yourself into your rhythm as soon as possible for an Ironman distance event. Focus on deep breathing and a long, powerful stroke. As for shorter distance events, I just go as hard as I can from the start!
2. Try to get into a good pace group from the start. If your group is too slow, accelerate carefully and look out for another pair of feet to follow. If the group is too fast, back off so you don’t exert all of your energy too soon.
3. During the last part of my swim, I always relax my legs as much as possible and concentrate on my arms. Your arms can have a rest when you’re on your bike, so use them!
4. During the last 100 yards or so, visualize a smooth transition. Quickly review all of the movements that you will make, and the order that you will make them in.
5. Remove your cap and goggles, open your suit and pull it down to your waist as soon as you get out of the water. Rinsing your mouth with fresh water really helps, as does rinsing your head and upper body after an ocean swim if showers are available in your race.
6. I always try to take care of nutrition intake within the first 30 minutes after exiting the water; especially in an Ironman distance event. The sooner the better.
7. During training, a great drill is using an elastic band around your ankles while using a pull-buoy. You will focus exclusively on achieving a strong stroke, which is especially important in the later part of an open water swim.
8. Do a lot of intense swim sessions with short, fast speed sets. Triathletes often overlook speed work, which is incredibly important. I love 20x100m fast as a main set.
9. Drills with short fins are beneficial. They strengthen your kick, and you can concentrate on a one-handed stroke, body roll and head position.
10. Make at least one swim per week in open water, and make this your long swim if possible. Although pools offer great workouts, it’s always important to imitate your race environment.
Yvonne exiting the water in her Velocity ++ speedsuit on the way to her win at Ironman Cozumel. Cody McCasland is Back and Collecting Hardware
If you are active in the Tri community you may already know who Cody McCasland is. You may even reconize Cody from earlier XTERRA Wetsuits blog posts. Regardless, Cody is by far one of our favorite triathletes here at XTERRA Wetsuits.
On Saturday Cody McCasland was honored with the Challenged Athlete of the Year Award at the Endurance Sports Awards. Cody is a double amputee who has accomplished more in his 8 years than some do in their entire lives! Cody's smile and positive attitude is truly contagious.... Here he is in his XTERRA Vector Pro X2 with his sister Callie.
Lear more about Cody at http://www.teamcody.com
Cody in his XTERRA Vector Pro X2 with his sister Callie.