XTERRA EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP * E.ON XTERRA CZECH 2004 * The First Ever XTERRA EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP will take place in the Czech Republic

PRAGUE, March 18 (PROTEXT) - After a successful expansion ofthe XTERRA multisport throughout Europe, the XTERRA EUROPEAN TOUR2003 took place last year as a series of European events whichcombine swimming, mountain biking and terrain running. Theseevents were also part of the XTERRA Global Tour 2003, which was aqualification series for the XTERRA World Championship in Maui,Hawaii in 2003.

The overwhelming response to this new sport in Europe hascalled for the organization of an XTERRA European Championship asearly as this year.

The XTERRA EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP will also concurrently beE.ON XTERRA Czech 2004 as part of the World Championshipqualifying series known as XTERRA GLOBAL TOUR. It is also a racewhere athletes will be able to earn points towards the XTERRAEuropean Tour series. This prestigious race is to be held inHluboka nad Vltavou, Czech Republic.

Top professional XTERRA athletes will compete for 20,000Euros in prize money. Some athletes, such as Olivier Marceu the2000 World Champion Triathlete and Jan Rehula bronze medalistfrom the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, will participate in thisevent as their last preparation before the 2004 Athens Olympics.Other notable athletes such as current cross country skiing WorldChampion Martin Koukal plan to compete as well.

The European Championship will also be an opportunity foramateur athletes from all over the world, in various agecategories to compete against the worlds best. European athleteswill vie for the title of European Champion in their respectiveage groups.Place, date and courses for the XTERRA European ChampionshipPlace: Czech Republic - Hluboka nad VltavouDate: 26th June 2004Course: 1 km swimming - 33 km MTB - 10 km runXTERRA European Championship - CategoriesCompetition is split up into men and women:Elite-open, Age-groups 15-19 years old, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60+3 person relay for the 'Hluboka nad Vltavou Trophy'Champion's titles and prize-money for the XTERRA EuropeanChampionshipThe first European athlete in each category will be recognized asEuropean Champion.Professional athletes will compete for 20,000 Euros in prizemoney (regardless of the athlete's citizenship)The top ten pro-men and seven pro-women will compete for thefollowing prize money;For men:1st - 3500, 2nd-2000, 3rd-1 500, 4th-1000, 5th-800, 6th-500, 7th-400, 8th-300, 9th-200, 10th-100 Euros.For women:1st - 3500, 2nd-2000, 3rd-1 500, 4th-1000, 5th-800, 6th-500, 7th-400 EurosPublic relations and media inquiries:Vitek Jirava - vitek@xterraeurope.com, phone: + 420 606 600 606 Contact:XTERRA European officeMasarykova 35, Hluboka nad Vltavou, Czech RepublicFor more information: www.xterraeurope.com, www.xterra.cz,www.xterraplanet.com

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