Vanlandingham switches focus to multi-sport

Three-time US National Series Champion and former US Short Track national champion Shonny VanLandingham (Luna Women's Team) will shift her competitive focus for 2008 from mountain bike racing to the multi-sport XTERRA Series.

It's not the first time the versatile athlete has switched sporting disciplines. Before pro cycling, she played basketball seriously and enjoyed riding motorcycles growing up.

"[Coach] Rick [Crawford] and I are excited about taking on this new challenge to transition from full time mountain bike racer to XTERRA racer. We have had a successful partnership thus far in mountain biking and have our sites set on podiums in XTERRA for '08. I am personally excited about the new challenge of swimming and running. I feel like a rookie pro again...motivated and ready to learn!" said the 38 year-old VanLandingham, who splits her time between Durango, Colorado, and Hawaii.

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Her short term goals will be to develop her swimming skills and maintain her cycling form while also stepping up her running. "When Shonny gets her sights on something, the girls in front of her better watch out," warned coach Crawford. VanLandingham will be aiming for the championship win in her new discipline.