Photos: 2012 Xterra West Championship

Stoltz and Branden Rakita ride the ridge line in pursuit of Dan Hugo.

Craig Evens takes care of body marking as soon as he arrives.

All hands on deck as the masses prepare for the Xterra West Championship.

Josiah Middaugh and Conrad Stoltz, two of the favorites, catch about the cold conditions.

Transition had a laid back feel even as the start approached.

Athletes enter the 59 degree water for the start.

Rising Xterra star Taylor Seavey ponders his strategy before the swim.

Swimming superstar Craig Evens pushes the pace early.

Kathryn Ross lead the elite women in the swim with a stellar performance.

Crowds gathered to watch all the age group athletes.

Hugo held off the Cave Man Stoltz as long as he could.

Rakita put in a stellar ride and run to finish fifth.

Reigning Xterra world champion Lesley Paterson navigates the loose terrain.

Climbing on this course is steep.

Damian Gonzalez leans into the hard right.

Lewis Elliot pushes through on the dry and cracked river bed.

Fresh off her win in Oceanside and fighting a bit of a cough, Melanie McQuaid had a strong bike and finished fifth.

Dan Hugo did what he could to keep the pace high and the deficit to Conrad low.

Courtenay Brown of the Rev3 Racing Team gives her a off-road legs a go in her second-ever Xterra.

Conrad dominated the bike.

Chris Legh ran down almost everyone to finish fourth.

Cody Waite navigates the steep descents on the run course.

Renata Bucher ran her way into the lead and had to fight to keep it.

Lesley Paterson drops in as she gains on Bucher, but would end up second in the sprint to the finish.

Josiah Middaugh kept his cool on the bike so he could attack on the run.

Conrad had what he needed from the bike and kept his distance on the run to win the Xterra West Championship.

Hugo runs stride for stride with his reflection.

Emma Garrard had a great day on the course to finish third.

Danelle Kabush finished fourth on the day.

Kate Major comes back to Xterra after a seven-year absence.

Conrad Stoltz takes home the victory.

The women's race came down to a sprint finish between Renata Bucher and Lesley Paterson. Photo: Xterra