Mendez becomes youngest Xterra champion, Duffy wins third straight women’s title
Mauricio Mendez of Mexico became the youngest winner of the Xterra World Championship on Sunday — the 21-year-old from Mexico completed the 1.5-kilometer swim, 32-kilometer bicycle leg and 10.5-kilometer trail run in 2 hours, 49 minutes, 38 seconds.
Flora Duffy of Bermuda won the women’s title for a third straight year, in 3:14:59.
Each winning time for the race, which began and ended at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, was the slowest in the event’s history. The Xterra moved to West Maui in 2011 after taking place in South Maui for its first 15 years.
Three-time champion Ruben Ruzafa of Spain was second overall in 2:51:03. Ben Allen (2:53:50) was third, followed by Braden Currie (2:55:49) and defending champion Josiah Middaugh (2:57:07).