Sam Gardner used his bike prowess to overcome a 3 minute swim deficit and win the 2009 XTERRA Saipan Championships. Renata Bucher now has won the event 5 times straight and soundly defeated 2-time XTERRA World Champion Julie Dibens.

Defending XTERRA Saipan champion Andrew Noble exited the warm turquoise waters first and held on to the lead until he was passed by 2002 champion Mike Vine about half way through the bike. Mike Vine's lead though was short lived as he soon after was passed by a flying Sam Gardner. Gardner is known for his bike speed and had worked his way past many of his competitors after a relatively slow swim. Unlike his competitors though, Gardner had been spending the last two weeks in Saipan training and acclimating. It seemed to work for the Gardner as he cruised to victory. Mike Vine held on to second and Sascha Wingenfeld finished third.

"We loved it here when we came in 2007 and it’s great to be back in Saipan.  I like the hot weather, the bike course really suits me, the swim is fantastic in this warm turquoise water, and the run is pure adventure," said Gardner.

As expected, Dibens led out of the water. She then flew along on the bike until she crashed hard on a downhill section. Although joking with onlookers that she may have broken some ribs, Dibens pushed on and managed to arrive in T2 in the lead. Once on the run though, the fleet footed Renata Bucher flew past Dibens and gained another 9:30 by the time she crossed the finish line. Shonny Vanlandingham finished third.

The trick must be to spend a few weeks on Saipan before the race, as Renata Bucher just like Sam Gardner had spent 2 weeks prior to the race there.

"The run was pretty painful with the ribs and all, but I’m not sure I would have held off Renata anyway. I think it would have probably turned out the same way," said Dibens after the race.

2009 XTERRA Saipan Championships

Northern Mariana Islands / April 18

Pro men

1. Sam Gardner (GBR) 2:34:32
2. Mike Vine (CAN) 2:37:18
3. Sascha Wingenfeld (GER) 2:43:26
4. Andrew Noble (AUS) 2:46:37
5. Takahiro Ogasawara (JAP) 2:48:15
6. Jim McConnel (GBR) 2:52:34
7. Uli Katzer (AUT) 2:59:01
8. Taro Shirato (JAP) 3:14:28
9. Arland Macasieb (USA) 3:37:30

Pro women

1. Renata Bucher (SWI) 2:56:55
2. Julie Dibens (GBR) 3:05:24
3. Shonny Vanlandingham (USA) 3:06:46
4. Mieko Carey (USA) 3:44:56