Cross Country
Fuego
FUEGO XL: SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2025
FUEGO XC & SHORT: SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2025
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 XL, Fuego XC, and Fuego Short. Medals awarded to the top three finishers in each category.
Fuego XL: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Turn the burners on high for the exciting Fuego XL, a two-lap mountain bike event covering approximately 70 miles and 7,800 feet of elevation change
The Fuego XL is also a qualifier for the iconic Race Across the Sky: the 2025 Leadville Trail 100 MTB, in Leadville, Colorado. All participants must start their 2nd lap by 2pm. Course closure for qualifying is at 4pm.
Fuego XC: Sunday, April 13, 2025
The boiling point is set at approximately 21 miles for this traditional cross country course that gains 3,500 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 Short – Junior Racers Only – NEW COURSE FOR 2025: Sunday, April 13, 2025
This new course for ouryoung 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 a new six-mile course on the Fort Ord National Monument. 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.
Interested in your very own Sea Otter Classic riding gear? Shop the store at the link below.
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
Registration Info
Registration opens on October 1, 2024.
Onsite registration at the event starts on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 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 60 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.
What's Included
Race Registration includes:
- Race course support: Feed Zone, medical team
- Complimentary parking
- Complimentary 4-day Festival Pass
- Complimentary post-ride showers
- Limited bag drop – Fuego XL only, details below
- Secure bike valet
- Post-race lunch and complimentary Sierra Nevada beer at the Casa Amigos Rider Lounge. Your lunch must be redeemed on the same day of your race/ride.
- Virtual Athlete Goodie Bag: special offers and discounts from our Sea Otter Classic partners
Medals awarded to the top three finishers in each category.
Casa Amigos Meal Redemption Information
All athletes receive a complimentary post-race or ride meal at the Casa Amigos Rider Lounge.
You will receive a physical ticket at packet pick-up.
Meal tickets are valid for the same day as your race or ride.
Leadville Qualifying Information
The Sea Otter Fuego XL is a qualifier for the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB.
There are a minimum of 35 LT100 qualifier coins up for grabs at each of the Leadville Race Series qualifier events.
- Qualifier coins will only be given to athletes who finish the longest distance race.
- Coin winners MUST BE PRESENT at the awards ceremony and claim their entry immediately.
- Coin winners must complete and pay for their registration for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB during the designated time offered.
- All registration fees for the LT100 MTB are non-transferable, nonrefundable, and subject to the Leadville Race Series deferral policies.
The 35+ coins at each event will be distributed based on overall and age group performance, as well as an event lottery at the end of the awards ceremony.
- The performance based coins will be distributed to the top overall performances, as well as the top performances of each age category.
- If an athlete elects to not accept their slot, the coin will “roll down” to the next top athlete in their category.
- In the event that slots are not claimed after the roll down, they will be reallocated to the event lottery.
- The event lottery is available to all official finishers.
- Names will be randomly drawn in the lottery from all eligible and interested athletes to distribute these coins until none remain.
Visit our LT100 MTB Qualification System page for more information.
Pre-Event Course Talks
Join Race Director, Jeff Frost, for these live course talks as he previews each race and ride, with plenty of time for questions.
Learn more and sign up HERE.
February 6: Fuego XL/XC and Fuego SHORT – Course discussions, and Q & A
March 5: Carmelo/Pacifico/Robles/Family Off-Road Tour – Routes discussion and Q & A
March 31: Gravity Events: Downhill, Dual Slalom and Enduro – Course discussions, and Q & A
Start Lists
To be announced prior to race day.
Have Questions? Contact: seaotter@ltevents.zendesk.com
Course Maps
2025 course maps will be posted on March 1, 2025 – Bureau of Land Management – Fort Ord National Monument, and Monterey County permits pending.
Feed Zone Directions
CLICK HERE FOR: Feed Zone Directions
Bag Drop - Fuego XL
Packet Pick-Up
Packet pick-up and registration is located at the Hospitality Pavilion. Please see the Festival Map here.
- 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 11:30 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 seaotter@ltevents.zendesk.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 6, 2025. Contact seaotter@ltevents.zendesk.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.
Prize Purse
Cross Country Prize Purse | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Men Fuego XC | $500 | $400 | $300 |
| Elite Women Fuego XC | $500 | $400 | $300 |
| Elite Men Fuego XL | $500 | $400 | $300 |
| Elite Women Fuego XL | $500 | $400 | $300 |