Perfect conditions greeted competitors in NZ's Contact Tri Series race at Whangamata on Sunday, with flat surf, warm temperatures and a light breeze.
The men’s race boasted a top quality field to match and while it was the familiar figure of Brent Foster who led them out of the swim, twin brothers Andrew and William Curtayne were hot on his tale in 2XU's highly acclaimed V:1 wetsuits.

William Curtayne stayed in touch with 7 times Ironman NZ Champion Cameron Brown in the bike leg, sitting third behind series champion Gisborne Sheldrake.

Brown and Curtayne headed out shoulder to shoulder on the run with Sheldrake ten metres behind. One lap into the three lap run and it was still Brown with Curtayne stalking the 36 year old every step of the way with Sheldrake having slowly dropped off the pace in third.

On the final lap it was the younger and quicker legs of Curtayne that won the day as he broke away to win by 8 seconds.

22 year old William Curtayne was delighted with his race.

“I was so pleased with my bike today, the plan was to stay with whoever went past me on the bike and stay in contact through to the run. To stay in touch with two class guys like Cam and Stephen on the bike was great. I struggled a couple of times on the flat but thankfully there were some hills that allowed me to close up each time," said Curtayne.

William’s twin Andrew, placed third overall - an undoubtedly impressive result for the family.

The Curtayne brothers will compete in 2XU V:1 wetsuits throughout the Contact Tri Series this summer and aim to qualify for the NZ U23 team to the World Championships later in the year.

Last year, 2XU's signature V:1 wetsuit was given an unbeatable 10/10 rating by one of Europe's top triathlon magazines. With the open water season well and truly upon us, now is the time to head instore and get fitted up! Check out www.2xu.com/swim for further info.

Proud 2XU ambassador Helen Kelly took the title of Victorian Cycling Pursuit Champion on Saturday night, after just two months of training. A former road cyclist, the weekend pursuit was Kelly's third only in the new sport - a brilliant result which has left the athlete exceptionally positive about her abilities and the challenges ahead.

"Given that I am so new to pursuiting, I'm really excited," said Kelly.

"I've been training hard, my collarbone is fully mended after a crash mid way through the year, and I'm really pleased with how I am transitioning from a road cyclist to a track cyclist."

Next for Kelly is the Jayco Bay Criterium Series (2 - 6 January along Melbourne's bayside regions). This will facilitate her preparation for the Track Cycling Nationals where Kelly will compete in the invidual pursuit on Feb 3.

"My goal is to ride an Australian qualifying time and make the Australian team to then race the World Champs in Polland in late March," she said.

Kelly continues to proudly train in 2XU's market leading cycling apparel - much to the envy of her fellow training buddies.

All at 2XU wish Helen the best for her many exciting challenges in 2009.

Australian ultra-distance runner and proud 2XU ambassador Brett Saxon completed the mighty 2008 Coast to Kosciuszko Ultramarathon, which took place last Friday December 12.

The annual 246km ultramarathon challenge starts at Boydtown Beach (Eden), winds its way to the Strzelecki monument atop Mt Kosciuszko at 2,228m above sea level and finishes 9km later at Charlotte Pass. Due to inclement weather, however, the highest 18km of the event was removed; reducing the overall course for 2008.

Brett's race report reveals the extremity of the challenge and the degree to which his 2XU supported him throughout the journey. Well done Brett!



Well I made it! The weather was extreme, sunny, 100Km/h winds, rain, sleet, and snow at the very top.

In brief, I made it with minimal issues, my hydration was near perfect, my nutrition intake was very good, my pacing steady and felt strong the whole way. Injury issues were very minimal with exception of blistering, due to rain and wet feet.

I wore my 2XU Compression gear for the first 24hrs then just shorts for the next 10 hours and back to my 2XU Elite Compression Tights - but also another pair over the top which served both for warmth and extra stability. I guess I was 4XU! I certainly felt that way, charging up the last 36K.

Despite sitting near the back of the field, I was really pleased to make it, particularly in well under estimate time. I completed the race in 42hrs:33min.

Apart from my feet, I have no chafing and my muscles are in really good condition - an absolute credit to my 2XU garments! A huge thanks to 2XU for the support you continue to provide me.

If you were catching the train, dining on Southbank’s boulevard, shopping in Bourke Street Mall or spending Sunday afternoon in St Kilda’s sunshine around Melbourne recently, chances are you crossed paths with 2XU’s stunning stunt-masters.

The eight gorgeous girls were out and about showing off their cheeky cross-belted hot pants and flamingo Body Compass hoodies from the Fitness collection and 2XU’s White Compression Race Socks, Women’s Free Fly Run Skirt and New Point Run Tee from the summer 08-09 Run collection.

To check out all the cheeky summer fun, view the 2XU stunt masters' YouTube video or join the 2XU Appreciation Society on Facebook!

Proud 2XU ambassador and Olympic Gold Medal Triathlete, Emma Snowsill, it set to grace the first cover of UltraFit Magazine for 2009!

As per the sneak preview of the Jan-Feb issue you see here, Snowsill will be wearing 2XU's market leading triathlon gear; specifically, our Women's Endurance Singlet and Women's Endurance Tri Short plus pockets.

The magazine will be on sale from January 1, however UltraFit is offering 2XU fans a free copy if you're one of the first 50 to email Michael Henry via office@ultrafit.com.au.

On December 28 (just 2.5 weeks away now), Tasmania will launch its first Surf Life Saving event in conjunction with 2XU and Swimming Tasmania - the 2XU Wild Oceans Open Water Swimming Premiership. The premiership will provide opportunities for both novice and advanced swimmers to compete in this new Olympic sport.

The 2XU Wild Oceans Open Water Swimming Premiership is a 5 race series supported with 10 community swims around the state through to April 2009. 2XU is supporting the Premiership Series via provision of 8 of our world-leading wetsuits to the premiership leaders. To be eligible to take out the premiership, swimmers must compete in all premiership events.

Race details for the 2XU Wild Oceans Open Water Swimming Premiership are as follows:

Pier River Swim 28 December 2008
Princes Warf No. 1 at the Taste of Tasmania
1.2km

Penguin Island Open Water Swim 2 January 2009
Hawley Beach at the Surf Club
Twilight Event
2km and 500m Novice rave

Australia Day Swim 26 January 2009
Kingston Beach at the Sailing Club
500m, 1km, 2km

Carlton Park Ocean Swim 21 February 2009
Carlton Beachat the Surf Club
500m, 1km, 2km, 5km

River to Bluff Devonport 28 March 2009
500m, 2km

For further information:

Sean McCarthy
Surf Sports and Member Services Officer
Surf Life Saving Tasmania
Ph: (03)62235555 Mob: 0417386798

Entry forms at www.slst.asn.au

Triathlon history was created in Tasmania last month, when almost 2000 school students from the age of 7 through to 18 competed in the inaugural 2XU Tasmanian Schools Triathlon Challenge.

Taking place at Bellerive Beach, Hobart on November 20 & 21, the event surpassed any other triathlon or multi-sport event ever held in Tasmania in regards to the number of competitors who flocked to participate!

Schools Triathlon Challenge Coordinator Tim Smith could not have been happier with the event.

"The event was absolutely a massive success and everyone involved has been so excited about its prospects for the future. From feedback and discussions with teachers and principals since the event, they are already indicating that we could get up to 3000 kids next year. The scope to develop this nationally is certainly being looked at and is very exciting," said Smith.

2XU's sponsorship of the event via provision of swim caps proved an event highlight. In true Tasmanian style, the weather for the primary event was atrocious, so the young competitors wore their caps all day long; in transition, in the swim, some even on the bike and run - even when they finished and got back on their buses!

The 2XU Tasmanian Schools Triathlon Challenge is the only officially sanctioned children’s triathlon in Tasmania and the State's youth responded accordingly.

With a strong body of premium sponsors such as 2XU on board, the event is placed to become one of the most highly anticipated on Tassie's annual sporting events calendar.

The concept of the 2XU Tasmanian Schools Triathlon Challenge is based on a philosophy of promoting active and healthy lifestyle choices to students, providing a pathway for students to become engaged in physical activity and to provide students with an opportunity to undertake an achievable personal challenge.

This 2XU Tasmanian Schools Triathlon Challenge will be followed by a second event in Devonport in March 2009.

“In future years, we plan to further develop the concept to offer the 2XU Schools Triathlon Challenge more broadly across the state and to encourage all students to get active regardless of their fitness level, specifically targeting additional events in the North, North West, West Coast, East Coast and Circular Head regions,” Stubbs said.

For more information www.tritasschoolschallenge.com or to view images from the event, visit The Mercury gallery online.