NOC & Gone Riding Announce Tsali Challenge Winners

This year's Tsali Triathlon Challenge was a huge success with 260 participants in all classes throughout the weekend. This year the Tsali Challenge was organized by Nantahala Outdoor Center and GoneRiding, organizers of over 35 trail and mountain bike events in the Southeast.

The Tsali Challenge is a decade old race that brings competitors from all over the South to the beautiful Nantahala Gorge and National Forest. Competitors compete in a mountain style triathlon, a take on the classic triathlon, that includes a 3 mile kayak paddle, a 4 mile trail run, and 12 mile single track mountain bike course.

Special Thanks to Kent at Motion Makers Bikes of Sylva for providing the Prizes, Bicycle Repair and Gear for the event.

This event is not possible without the support of our great partners as well as the support of the community. Thank you to the Swain County Rescue Squad, Smoky Mountain Jetboats, and the Nantahala National Forest Service Cheoah Ranger District.

Congrats to NOC sponsored athletes for taking 2nd in the Women's Team Event; Team NOC Chicks- Maria Noakes, Aaliza Duncan, & Anne Santheimer. A special call out goes to NOC Retail Director Chris Hipgrave, who on Saturday participated in the Lake Lure Triathlon then drove back to Tsali to compete in the Men's Open Race. To top off the weekend Chris paddled for Team V02 Sports who won the overall team event on Sunday! Awesome showing for NOC and a great event for all who participated!

We will have more on the event soon, but please look through the photos and results below for the top finishers.

Preliminary Photos- http://picasaweb.google.com/NOC.Wesser/TSALITriahlonChallenge2009#

2009 TSALI CHALLENGE RESULTS

SATURDAY TOP 3 RESULTS

9am Start

MEN'S MASTERS

1. Dwight Shuler

2. John Halight

3. Stale Horine

OPEN FEMALE

1. Karen Masson

2. Nina Otter

3. Meghan Cox

1pm START

MEN'S OPEN

1. Cory Hall

2. Justin Tucker

3. JP Bevilaqua

Sunday Top 3 Team Results

Men

1. VO2 Sports- CHRIS HIPGRAVE / JUSTIN TUCKER / DAVID FURKNER

2. DIP, DASH & DRIVE- LECKY HALLER / KURT WILSON / BRAD MILLER

3. No Name- ANDY KLUGE / SCOTT LANGFORD / AARON SAFT

CO-ED

1. GO LITE- JAMIE COOK / JULIE RICHARDS / JERIMIAH WIGGINS

2. WEST CARE HEALTH SYSTEMS- SCOTT MCCLESKEY / ALETA MCCLESKEY/ COLIN GROGGIN

3. ALWAYS A GOOD TIME- CURTIS ROWE / HANNAH ROWE / TONY LEDBETTER

WOMEN

1. VELOSPORTS- JAMIE BURNS / REBECCA GRAHAM / JESSICA INGRAM

2. TEAM NOC CHICKS- MARIA NOAKES / AALIZA DUNCAN / ANNE SANTHEIMER

3. 29ER'S- CHRISTY WOODARD / STEPHANIE SMITH / JENNY SMITH