XTERRA Athlete Van Vlerken Takes 2nd at IM Asia-Pacific Championship

XTERRA Athlete Van Vlerken Takes 2nd at IM Asia-Pacific Championship
Overcomes Defending Champ Caroline Steffen in Melbourne

San Diego, Calif. – XTERRA WETSUITS, makers of the top-selling triathlon wetsuit in North America, announced that its sponsored triathlete Yvonne van Vlerken of Austria posted an impressive second place finish at Ironman Melbourne on March 24, 2013.

The event, which is the Asia-Pacific Championship Ironman race, had a packed roster of professional female triathletes, including Switzerland’s Caroline Steffen, its defending champion.

In a pre-race interview, van Vlerken said her plan was to let the lead women fight it out in front, and then capitalize on any mistakes they made. This proved an effective strategy. Van Vlerken lost to Corinne Abraham of Wales for the win, but thanks to a 3:00:34 marathon run, she edged out Steffen to take second place overall.

In the swim, van Vlerken wore XTERRA’s newest wetsuit, the Vendetta sleeveless, and completed the course in 27:08. She considers swimming her weakest part of triathlon, but ranked 15th out of the water.

“We just launched the Vendetta this spring,” said Liz Barlow, President of XTERRA, “and so far, the podium placings have been impressive, to say the least!” Last week, at the inaugural Ironman Los Cabos, Erika Csomor took first place and Jozsef Major took second.

About XTERRA WETSUITS
XTERRA WETSUITS, the dominating global brand in triathlon wetsuits, was founded in 2001 in San Diego, California, the birthplace of triathlon. Under the guidance of its founder, Keith Simmons, XTERRA has become the top-selling triathlon wetsuit in North America. Eco-friendly XTERRA WETSUITS are designed by triathletes, for triathletes, with four key components in mind: comfort, speed, buoyancy, and value. For more information, please visit www.xterrawetsuits.com.