Cross Country
Fuego
Cross-country (XC) racing at Sea Otter is en Fuego (“on fire”).
Fuego tests the fire of each athlete by way of sandy climbs and flowy singletrack of the Fort Ord National Monument. Your inner spark will ignite with the starting pistol to motivate your mind and body over this challenging and fun course. After traversing Fort Ord’s picturesque hills and trails, Fuego racers roll into *Casa Amigos to swap race highlights over lunch and a beverage. Choose between three unique cross-country distances — Fuego Short, Fuego XC and the Fuego XL. Medals awarded to the top three finishers in each category, and race winners receive a custom jersey.
All riders will receive:
- Fully supported race course
- Complimentary parking
- Complimentary four-day festival pass
- Complimentary post-race showers
- Secure bag drop
- Secure bike valet
- Fully catered buffet lunch at Casa Amigos (Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday – Sunday)
- Complimentary Sierra Nevada beer
- Exclusive access to the *Casa Amigos Rider Lounge
Fuego Short Course (Junior Racers Only)
This spectator-friendly 3-mile circuit for our young riders (Grades 4-6) gives juniors a taste of the famous Sea Otter sandy climbs. Participants will start and finish at the Sea Otter Classic bridge with multiple viewing spots for lots of encouragement and support. Parents: after you grab a front-row seat for the sizzling action, you can join your juniors for post-race lunch at Casa Amigos* by purchasing an additional lunch with registration.
Fuego XC
The boiling point is set at approximately 26 miles for this XC course that gains 3,900 feet over sandy climbs, flowy singletrack and Fort Ord’s diverse habitat and beautiful landscape. One of the most long-standing events at Sea Otter, the iconic XC race begins on Sunday and refines rookie riders into seasoned vets from the start to the finish line.
Fuego XL
Turn the burners on high for the exciting Fuego XL, a two-lap marathon event covering approximately 70 miles and 7,800 feet of elevation change and earn the title of El Campeon de Fuego…The Fuego XL also kicks off the 2023 Life Time Grand Prix, the newest off-road cycling series of seven iconic race events. Watch 70 of the best cyclists in the country crank up their 2023 season and compete for a $250,000 prize purse. Not only will Fuego XL kick off the 2023 Life Time Grand Prix—but it’s also now a qualifier for the iconic Race Across the Sky: the 2023 Stages Cycling Leadville Trail 100 MTB on August 12, 2023, in Leadville, Colorado. Course closure for qualifying is at 3pm. Learn How to Qualify here, or in the drop-down below.
*All Fuego riders receive exclusive access to Casa Amigos — an elevated post-race athlete experience complete with showers, catered lunch and the chance to swap race stories with other riders.
Prize Purse
Cross Country Prize Purse | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Men Fuego XC | $500 | $400 | $300 | $150 | $150 |
| Elite Women Fuego XC | $500 | $400 | $300 | $150 | $150 |
| Elite Men Fuego XL | $500 | $400 | $300 | $150 | $150 |
| Elite Women Fuego XL | $500 | $400 | $300 | $150 | $150 |
What's Included
Race Registration includes:
- Fully supported race course
- Complimentary parking
- Complimentary 4-day Festival Pass
- Complimentary post-ride showers
- Secure bag drop – Fuego XL only, details below
- Secure bike valet
- Fully catered buffet lunch (10am-6pm on Saturday and Sunday)
- Complimentary Sierra Nevada beer
- Exclusive access to the Casa Amigos Rider Lounge
Medals awarded to the top three finishers in each category, and race winners receive a custom jersey.
Pre-Event Course Talks
Previously Recorded:
In-person/on-site Course Talk at Casa AmigosThursday April 20 – 7pm PST – Final routes, how best to prepare for your event plus Q&A on all events
In-person/on-site Course Talk at Casa Amigos
Thursday April 20 – 7pm PST – Final routes, how best to prepare for your event plus Q&A on all events
Start Lists
- CLICK HERE to view the start list for Fuego SHORT.
- CLICK HERE to view the start list for Fuego XC.
- CLICK HERE to view the start list for Fuego XL.
These lists are updated each week on Monday.
Have Questions? Contact: frosty@seaotterclassic.com
Fees/Categories/Schedule
Each race is a wave start race categorized by ability and age classes. Race distances vary by ability and age category.
Fuego Short: Fees/ Categories / Start Times
Fuego XC: Fees / Categories / Start Times
Fuego XL: Fees / Categories / Start Times
Course Maps
Fuego Short
Course closure for Leadville qualifying is at 3pm.
Feed Zone Directions
CLICK HERE FOR: Feed Zone Directions
Bag Drop - Fuego XL
Leadville Qualifying Information
New for 2023, the Sea Otter Fuego XL is a qualifier for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB. There are a minimum of 40 LT100 qualifier coins up for grabs at this year’s race. Half of the total LT100 coins will be distributed based on performance and half of the coins will be given away in the Event Lottery at the conclusion of the awards ceremony. Only the Fuego XL distance serves as a qualifier for the LT100 MTB.
Half of the coins will be distributed based on performance:
- Slots will be distributed to each gender and age group (20-29, 30-39, etc.) based on the percentage of total athletes in those age groups, with a minimum of one slot for every age group.
- The top athletes in each age group will receive the allocated slots.
- In the event a top athlete elects not to accept a slot, the slot will roll down to the next athlete in the results within the age group.
- In the event slots are not claimed after the rolldown in each age group, those slots will be allocated to the Event Lottery, as described below.
Half of the coins will be distributed through the Event Lottery:
- Finishers of the Fuego XL distance will be eligible to win an LT100 MTB coin in the Event Lottery.
- All finishers under the predetermined maximum finish time who have indicated their desire to participate in the lottery will be entered in the lottery.
- Names will be drawn from the eligible lottery athletes and slots will be given out.
- In the event an athlete opts not to accept a slot, the slots will roll down to the next athlete that is drawn until ALL slots have been distributed.
- Qualification slots must be claimed in person immediately.
- Registration for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB must be completed and paid for during the designated time offered.
- Only solo runners completing the required distance under the allotted cutoff time will be considered as potential qualifiers.
- All registration fees for the LT100 MTB are non-transferable and non-refundable
Registration Info
Online registration opened November 1, 2022. Onsite registration at the event starts on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at noon. Event registration closes at 6:00 p.m. the day prior to the scheduled event. If you have pre-registered, you can pick up your event number on event day – up to 30 minutes prior to event start time. NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION.
Registered athletes must pick up your race number in person (must have current, valid PHOTO ID). Pick up your race packet, complimentary 4-day Festival Pass, and purchase event merchandise at Athlete Registration.
Packet Pick-up hours
- Wednesday noon to 6 p.m.
- Thursday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. (Pre-registered athlete packet pick-up only. No Registrations.)
Riders that have already registered online can pick-up their packets the same day as their race
Switch Categories
Email frosty@seaotterclassic.com with any inquiries.
Policies
No refunds or transfers of race registration.
Athletes are allowed to defer entry into the following year. This requires payment of a deferral fee equal to 40% of the original paid entry fee. A race entry can only be deferred one time and only to the following year’s event. Deferrals must be completed no later than Sunday, April 16, 2023. Contact frosty@seaotterclassic.com for information.
If you choose to defer and you have purchased retail items during registration, please note the following. Retail purchases can be refunded if you selected to “Pickup” at the venue. Purchases completed as “Ship” cannot be refunded. Retail purchases will not carry over in a deferred entry.
All Sea Otter participants will be required to submit a release waiver and assumption of risk form. Save time in line by completing them in advance. All Sea Otter participants are required to wear an approved helmet- no exceptions. USA Cycling Helmet Policy
BLM Requirements
The Fort Ord National Monument is open to visitors during Sea Otter. Riders need to adhere to trail rules and passing speed limits when passing a rider going in the opposite direction. Passing speed limits during the tours (5 mph on single-track and 10 mph on roads) will be enforced.
