The 18th edition of the fabulous XTERRA Worlds in Maui offers a deep roster of fierce competitors vying to take the elite crowns as the top off road triathletes on the planet.

MEN

In the men's race at the XTERRA World Championships, on a course that has been described as not being very technical, Leonardo Chacon of Costa Rica has the hot hand, Richard Murray of South Africa gets this editor's vote as an ITU newcomer replacement for non-defending champ Javier Gomez, and Josiah Middaugh gets our vote to nip 4-time champion Conrad Stoltz for the final spot on the podium. These entries are ranked in order of the picks - no odds.

1. Leonardo Chacon, 29, (Costa Rica)

Chacon was a 2012 Olympian who was taken out of the London race in a crash with Simon Whitfield. He outsprinted Victor Del Corral to take 4th at XTERRA Maui last year. This year proved he is one of the favorites to win at Maui after a win at the hotly contested high altitude XTERRA USA Championship in Ogden, Utah - aided by training at similar altitudes in the mountains of his home country of Costa Rica.

2. Richard Murray, 24, (RSA)

You could call him this year's Javier Gomez - an ITU star whose swim and pavement bike and run strengths could make up for his lack of off road experience. While Murray may not have the 3-time ITU World Champion's pedigree, he definitely can ride the trails as proven by his win at XTERRA South Africa with a late run pass of Conrad Stoltz this year. Finished 5th in the prestigious 2013 ITU World Triathlon Series points standings. Won WTS Hamburg in 2012 and was 17th at the London Olympics.

3. Josiah Middaugh, 35, (USA)

This 12-year XTERRA veteran from Eagle and Vail, Colorado, who finished a close second to Javier Gomez last year in Maui despite equipment falling off on the bike, has been hot most of the year, taking wins at XTERRA West, Southeast and Mountain championship races, was 2nd at the XTERRA USA Championship and won the XTERRA USA Pro Series for the first time. Middaugh has been on a gradual climb to the top of the XTERRA mountain with a 4th at Maui in 2011.

4. Conrad Stoltz, 40, (RSA)

Two time Olympian is a 4-time XTERRA World champion (2001,2002, 2007 and 2010) a 10-time XTERRA USA Pro Series Champ, a 3-time ITU Cross Triathlon World champion (2011,2012, 2013) and is all-time XTERRA championship race winner with 48 victories. Stoltz has had an up-and down 2013 season with a win at XTERRA Buffelspoort, a DQ for running off course at XTERRA South Africa, 2nd at XTERRA West, 'led XTERRA Southeast until pulled out with injury, won XTERRA Brazil, XTERRA Italy and was 4th at the XTERRA USA Championship. Recent Maui finishes: 1st 2010, DNF 2011, 3rd 2012. Strong bike - can muscle up the uphills and bomb the downhills with his bravery and large body mass -- which he needs to bank a lead against the superior runners.

5. Ruben Ruzafa, 29, (ESP)

This Spaniard shocked XTERRA by winning the Maui World Championship in 2008 on his first try. He then switched to World Cup mountain biking for several years before returning to XTERRA in 2013, where he won XTERRA Spain, XTERRA Berga, and XTERRA Germany, took 2nd at XTERRA France and was 3rd at the XTERRA USA Championship. After his Maui win in 2008, he crashed two days before his title defense in 2009 and did not start.

6, Dan Hugo, 28, (RSA)

This 8-year XTERRA pro was on pace for a good season early in 2012 until suffering a season-ending injury that kept him out of a highly targeted return to Maui after a 2nd place at the 2011 XTERRA World Championship in Maui, 33 seconds back of winner Michael Weiss despite a crash on the bike. This year Hugo started the year with a string of XTERRA runner-up finishes at Buffelspoort, Philippines, Saipan, Guam, Malaysia and the Southeast US Champs before a breakthrough win at XTERRA East. Since then Hugo was 3rd at XTERRA Brazil, 7th at Mountain champs, 2nd at Mexico, won XTERRA Japan and took 5th at the USA Championship.

7. Ben Allen, 28, (AUS)

Former surf lifesaving star in Australia, Allen is a third-year XTERRA pro who has the most XTERRA World Tour wins this year -- he swept the XTERRA Asia-Pacific triple crown at Philippines, Saipan and Guam in March, won XTERRA New Zealand for the second straight year and took top honors at XTERRA Greece and XTERRA England. He also took seconds at XTERRA Great Ocean Road in Australia (to Courtney Atkinson) and XTERRA Spain. Is eager to prove himself at Maui after a 36th in 2011 and 35th (due to a broken chain) last year.

8. Courtney Atkinson, 34, (AUS)

Long time ITU star proved himself as an XTERRA contender with a win at Great Ocean Road XTERRA in Australia this year. Atkinson was top Australian at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, won 7 ITU World Cups and was on the podium 15 times in top ITU racing. He also won the famed Noosa Triathlon 3 straight years (2008-2010). Atkinson was unbeaten at the 70.3 distance this year. Maui will be his second XTERRA attempt.

9. Nico Lebrun, 40, (FRA)

This accomplished Frenchman has vowed he will be retiring after this year and has had a long, well-rewarded career. Lebrun he has been on the podium 13 times in world championships in many different sports - XTERRA, duathlon, XTERRA Winter and Winter Triathlon. The crown jewel in his career was a win at the 2005 XTERRA World Championship, more than 3 minutes ahead of 3-time Maui champion Eneko Llanos of Spain. Lebrun's other Maui bests include runner-up finishes 2nd in 2003 and 2009, 3rd in 2002, 5th in 2010, 6th in 2004, 7th in 2007, and 8th in 2006. This year he was 5th in XTERRA Spain, 4th at XTERRA Greece, 1st at XTERRA France, 2nd at XTERRA Italy and 5th at XTERRA England. He was 8th at XTERRA USA Championship, a race he won in 2011.

10. Olivier Marceau, 40, (SUI)

This three-time Olympian and 2000 ITU Olympic distance World Champion has had a brilliant, almost-a-World-Champion career at XTERRA Maui. He has six top 5 finishes including 3 runner-ups in 10 tries. In 2004, he was the leader until passed 1 mile out of transition, in 2006 he was winning until the last mile when passed by 2004 Olympic champion Hamish Carter and lost by 19 seconds, and in 2007 he ran out of T2 with Conrad Stoltz until the first big climb when the Caveman took control. Other Maui results include 10th last year,

11. Ryan Ignatz, 35, (USA)

A 10-year XTERRA veteran, Ignatz had his best season in 2013. He was 4th at the XTERRA West Championship, 2nd at XTERRA East, 5th at the Mountain champs, 10th at USA Champs and was 4th in the XTERRA USA Pro Series. Ignatz is still trying to match or exceed his 6th place at Maui in 2006.

12. Yeray Luxem, 27, (BEL)

This Belgian was 2nds on the XTERRA European Tour this year with 3rd place finishes
at Greece, Switzerland, Czech, Germany and England. he was 9th at Maui last year.

WOMEN

There are a host of talented women trying to wrest the XTERRA World Champion title from the firm grip of Lesley Paterson.

1. Lesley Paterson, 33, (GBR)

This doughty Scotswoman is the two-time defending XTERRA World Champion at 2012-2013 USA and Pro Series XTERRA champion and 2012 ITU Cross Triathlon World champ. This year she won XTERRA Philippines, XTERRA West (where she finished 4th overall), and the Southeast and West championships. She was 2nd at the ITU Cross Triathlon World Championship and won the XTERRA USA Championship and the US Pro Series title for the second straight year. A super strong runner, she proved she was only human by losing a finish line sprint by 3/10ths of a seconds to Renata Bucher at the XTERRA West Championship in 2012.

2. Barbara Riveros, 26, (CHI)

Last year this Chilean mighty mite was 2nd to Paterson in her Maui debut last year. A winner on the prestigious ITU World Triathlon Series circuit, Riveros placed 16th at the London Olympics. She proved she was no XTERRA flash in the pan by placing 2nd at the XTERRA USA Championship last month.

3. Helena Erbenova, 34, (CZE)

This Czech Republic native was the 2012 and 2013 XTERRA European Tour series
champion, placing 2nd at XTERRA Spain then winning five straight at Greece, Switzerland, France, Italy and the Czech Republic. At Maui, Erbenova was 3rd in 2011 and 9th in 2012. A poly-talented athlete, Erbenova also competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics, placing 29th in the 7.5k + 7.5k double pursuit.

4. Heather Jackson, 29, (USA)

Has been on a hot streak in pavement triathlon for the past three years, scoring two wins at Wildflower, wins at Escape from Alcatraz and Oceanside 70.3, and a recent 2nd place at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Las Vegas. Jackson proved she could handle the rough and tumble world of XTERRA with a 4th place in her Maui debut last year.

5. Shonny Vanlandingham, 44, (USA)

This former NORBA pro mountain bike champion has taken to XTERRA with a panache that defies the normal aging process. She won Maui ands broke Julie Dibens three-year streak in 2010 while setting the fastest bike split for the 4th time. Her stellar Maui record also includes 3rd in 2008, 4th in 2007, 5th in 2009, 7th in 2005 and 8th last year after a one year hiatus due to injuries. This former NCAA basketball player at East Texas State is 44 and this year is fully healthy and back on track with a wins at XTERRA Brazil and the XTERRA Mountain Championship (her 4th), 2nd at XTERRA East champs and XTERRA Mexico, 3rds at XTERRA South Africa and XTERRA West and 4thg at XTERRA Southeast.

6. Jacqui Slack, 30, (GBR)

This former British firefighter had a great 2012 XTERRA season with six podiums and a 5th at Maui. This year, despite a spate of bad luck, she was 4th at XTERRA Philippines, won Saipan and Guam en route to the XTERRA Triple Crown Asia Pacific title. She was 2nd to Renata Bucher at XTERRA Great Ocean Road and New Zealand championship races, took 4th at Malaysia and Spain, 2nd at XTERRA Greece and France and won XTERRA at Germany and XTERRA England. Races best in the big races, should contend for the podium.

7. Melanie McQuaid, 40, (CAN)

McQuaid won the XTERRA World titles in Maui three times - in 2003, 2005 and 2006. She was on track for a Stoltz-matching 4th crown in 2011 when she was struck with heat exhaustion and collapsed 100 yards from the finish. She also placed 2nd in 2000, 2004 and 2007, was 3rd in 2009, 9th in 2002, 11th in 2010, and 13th last year. This year she was 4th at the XTERRA West Championships, 2nd at the Southeast Champs won XTERRA Victoria, ands was 8th at the XTERRA USA Championships

8. Nicky Samuels, 30, (NZL)

This New Zealand 2012 Olympian has at least one XTERRA credential, winning the XTERRA Motatapu in March. Her pavement resume is substantial and includes This year she won the Columbia S.C. 5i50, and placed 2nd at St. Anthony's and Boulder 5150os. She was 5th at the prestigious and super-steep WTS in Austria and Auckland. In 2012, she was the New Zealand Road Race cycling champion, and ITU Tongyeong World cup winner and in 2011 she was the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon champion.

9. Julie Dibens, 38, (GBR)

Dibens is the only XTERRA pro to win three straight World titles, taking the crown in 2007 where she finished 8 minutes ahead of Melanie McQuaid, 2008 where she led start to finish and in 2009, where she set the fastest bike split and went on to win the Ironman 70.3 World Championship later that year. Dibens had an extraordinary pavement triathlon season in 2010 in which she won Abu Dhabi, Wildflower, Rev3 Knoxville, Boise 70.3, Boulder 70.3 and the Malibu Triathlon. She then placed 3rd at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, leading after setting fastest bike split at her Ironman debut. After which she topped off the season with a 2nd place at Maui. The next chapter in Dibens career was a rough one in which she took the better part of three seasons to recover from surgery to correct long term foot and leg injuries. Dibens has recovered enough this year to take on an elite pro cycling time trial in San Jose and managed to get through XTERRA at Beaver Creek with a top 10 finish. Having made great strides on the next months, Dibens was injured in a bike crash at Kona which forced her to return to Boulder for treatment. Last word is that she will take to the start line at Maui with her fingers crossed.

10. Renata Bucher, 36, (SUI)

Bucher has won 31 XTERRA Championship races in 14 countries as well as Guam and Saipan. This year she placed 2nd at XTERRA Philippines, Saipan, and Guam, then won four straight XTERRA World Tour races - Great Ocean Road in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Spain. She was also 2nd at XTERRA Italy and Czech and placed 7th at the XTERRA USA Championship. She has four top 5 finishes at Maui - 4th in 2005, 2008 and 2011, 5th in 2006, and 7th in 2012.

11. Suzie Snyder, 31, (USA)

The 2012 XTERRA U.S. National Champion was 2nd at the 2013 XTERRA West Championships, 5th at the Southeast Champs, 6th at the East Champs, 4th at the Mountain Champs, and 7th at the XTERRA USA Championship. In 2010, she finished a career-best 5th at XTERRA Worlds.

12. Kathrin Müller, 29, (GER)

Was 2nd on the 2013 XTERRA European Tour, taking 2nd at XTERRA Germany and England, 3rd at XTERRA Spain, Greece, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. This will be her first crack at Maui.

13. Danelle Kabush, 38, (CAN)

Kabush likes Maui and was 2nd in 2006 and 2008 (where she scored the fastest run), 3rd in 2004, 5th in 2011, 6th in 2005, 7th in 2009 and 12th last year. This year she was 5rh at XTERRA West, 7th at the Southeast Champs, 5th at the East Champs, 2nd at the Mountain champs, ands 5th at the XTERRA USA champs.

14. Emma Garrard, 30, (USA)

At Maui, Garrrard was 8th on 2011, 10th in 2010, 11th in 2009 and 13th in 2008.
This year she was 7h at XTERRA West, 6th at Southeast, 5th at the Mountain champs and 4th at the USA champs. Trending nicely, could this Winter Triathlon ace be on the podium at tropical Maui?

15. Carla Van Huyssteen, 29, (RSA)

This 6th year XTERRA pro from South Africa has 5 XTERRA podium finishes including XTERRA wins at Buffelspoort and South Africa in 2012 and at South Africa in 2013.

16. Flora Duffy, 26, (BER)

Bermuda's 2012 Olympic triathlete, she placed 6th at the XTERRA Mountain Championships in her first XTERRA race.