Avon triathlete defends XTERRA Puerto Rico title

Suzie Snyder defended her XTERRA Puerto Rico crown on April 6 in dominant fashion. The six-time XTERRA national champion covered the off-road triathlon course in Cabo Rojo in 2 hours, 45 minutes and 10 seconds to finish more than 15 minutes ahead of runner-up Katja Krenn of Australia.

“I’m feeling content with my performance,” Snyder told the Vail Daily in an email this week. “It wasn’t as bad as I thought it could be, nor as strong as I’d like. I haven’t had consistent training this winter so I really wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of performance.”

Fellow Eagle County athlete James Kirschner (2:38:25) finished third overall in the men’s elite race as Branden Rakita (2:30:47), like Snyder, pulled off back-to-back wins. Lucas Wright, 18, stunned the field with the fastest time of the day (2:29:44), but was competing in the age-group division.

“I was very pleased with my performance,” Kirschner said of his third trip to Puerto Rico. “It is always a great early test to see where my fitness is at after a long and cold off-season.”

Kirschner said his rookie year in the pro category last summer was a “wake-up call” in terms of the swim level required to be relevant at the top level. The Eagle Valley social studies teacher, who has a second job on the weekends, added an extra day in the pool weekly, increasing his total volume by 20%.

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“It paid off,” he said, noting that his swim split was about two minutes better this year compared to last. Still, he was sixth out of the ocean on Combate Beach, 2:33 behind Rakita and Charlie Smoak.

Even though Snyder admitted her swim speed isn’t what it used to be, the 22-year veteran was the first woman to exit the water after the 1.5-kilometer leg. Krenn was close behind and the pair started the bike together, but soon Snyder pulled away.

“I distanced myself from her early on and focused on riding strong and steady and getting enough fuel and hydration in the warm temps,” said Snyder, who finished the 29-kilometer bike in 1:29:18, roughly 15 minutes before Krenn. “Starting the run, I didn’t know what kind of gap I had, so I started a little conservative to make sure I didn’t overheat.”

Kirschner said his bike leg — only his third time in the saddle this year — was a little rough.

“I felt clumsy in and out of corners. The course was really twisty and turny and there aren’t a ton of sustained climbs — more punchy small bursts,” he explained. “Despite all of that, in the moments where there were some sustained climbs, I was still happy with my power and I am excited for some of the other courses I will race this year once I iron everything out.”

He made up for it on the run, splitting the 10k trail run in 40:09 — the fastest segment in the field by over a minute — to move onto the elite podium. After the first of four run laps, Snyder saw Krenn come through the second transition. The Australian and American ran together for the next two laps before Snyder secured her fifth XTERRA win in her last 30 starts going back to 2018.

“This race was mainly a test of early-season fitness and to see where I need to focus the most in the next six weeks leading up to XTERRA North American Championships,” she said.

The North American Championships return to Pelham, Alabama, next month. Snyder was seventh overall in the full distance race in 2024, finishing behind Amanda Felder as the second American. After that race, she plans to race the Pikes Peak Apex mountain bike stage race in June followed by XTERRA Quebec in July and XTERRA Ruidoso in August. The latter venue will host the XTERRA World Championships in 2026.

“I know a lot of people have stopped racing XTERRA since it left Beaver Creek, so hopefully this will get some people back into it!” Snyder stated.

Kirschner placed 22nd overall and eighth for the U.S. last year in Pelham. The 34-year-old said he’s excited to utilize the course’s sustained climbs to his advantage and plans to put in big hours on the bike over spring break in Moab or Grand Junction.

“I am excited to see what is possible on the run leg once my bike starts to come around,” he said.

In addition to earning his pro status, Kirschner said the other main goal he’s had the last few seasons has been to prove to himself and others that he belongs there.

“Last year was a real mixed bag. I struggled with imposter syndrome and had to work really hard to stay out of last place; the jump from age group to elite is huge,” he said. “This year I am just trying to accept myself with where I am at, and be happy with the experience.”

Even though most of his competitors have more flexible — and voluminous — training regimens, Kirschner knows he’s stewarding his time and talents to the best of his ability.

“(I) haven’t left a spare minute on the table of time that could have gone into my preparation,” he said. “Hopefully, that’s enough for to see some improvement within the pro field and I can look forward to picking off a few more places than last year.”