October 8, 2008 (Incline Village, NV) – It was an emotion-stoked race and Victoria, B.C.’s Melanie McQuaid put all she had on the line winning the eighth annual XTERRA off-road triathlon USA Championship at Lake Tahoe. “I needed to win this race for Jamie,” said McQuaid, of her long-time rival Jamie Whitmore now battling cancer. “Our most epic battles have been here. This is her race, and I wanted to win it for her.”

The three-time XTERRA World Champion triumphed with the fourth-best swim, third-best bike ride, and sixth-best run. That added up to a three-minute 17-second victory over runner-up Renata Bucher from Switzerland. The win was McQuaid’s fourth in the 2008 professional XTERRA series and clinched the overall U.S. title worth US $14,000. McQuaid also won the title in 2006.

“This is a tremendous win for Melanie, one of our outstanding Sundog Active Sports Eyewear (ASE) genuine performers,” said John Whitney, Sundog Eyewear Vice President of Product Development and Production. “We really appreciate Melanie’s feedback and input on eyewear relative to the mind-bending requirements of XTERRA. [1.5 Km. swim, 30 Km. mountain bike race, 11 Km. trail run] Her perspective on lens venting, lens tints and frame fit are invaluable. Melanie won in Tahoe wearing her Triathlete Interchange model ASE that she helped design.”

“I was demanding when I asked Sundog Eyewear for glasses that would serve my needs as a triathlete and as a mountain biker,” said McQuaid after her triumph in Tahoe. “We wear sunglasses to protect our eyes not only from the sun but also the elements on the course. The frames need to fit well and the lens options need to be varied for different conditions. The Triathlete Interchange was perfect for me both on the bike and the run.”

Next stop for Melanie is Maui where she will go after her fourth XTERRA World Championship October 26th. It is a fitting locale as XTERRA all started in Maui in 1996 when 123 mountain bikers and triathletes competed in a sea and land event they called Aquaterra. Later this month, McQuaid and 550 athletes from around the world will vie for the coveted World title and $125,000 in prize money.

But it won’t be any more emotional for McQuaid than the race at Tahoe.
“I’m really stoked, what an awesome day,” said McQuaid, who hugged Jamie Whitmore at the finish line. “This one is so emotional. Jamie formed me as an athlete by pushing me so hard and the speed I have now is because of the rivalry we shared.”