Xterra: Bucher-Duffy duel up

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay—Swiss Renata Bucher defends her female pro crown against a crack field led by reigning world titlist Flora Duffy while their male counterparts dispute the vacant crown today in the Xterra Albay off-road triathlon erupts here.

Bucher, who reigned in last year’s staging in Liloan, Cebu, anticipates a tough challenge in her title-retention bid with Bermuda’s Duffy going all-out for a successful debut in the Philippines.

Expected to crowd the two the event organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. are Jacqui Slack of and Daz Parker of Great Britain, Dimity-Lee Duke of Australia, Alena Stevens of Slovakia, and Mieko Carey of Guam.

With 2014 male champ Dan Hugo retiring, an open race for the men’s plum looms with last year’s runner-up Bradley Weiss of South Africa, two-time Xterra Philippines champ Ben Allen of Australia, and teener Mauricio Mendez of Mexico likely to slug it out.

Podium finishers will get special medals from Mayon’s lava rocks by local sculptor Vicente “Enteng Bato” Ajero. The medals were unveiled by SEI president Wilfred Steven Uytengsu and Albay Gov. Joey Salceda during yesterday’s press launch at Albay Astrodome.