Challenge Laguna Phuket ready to break records (video)

PHUKET: A record 900 participants have registered to take part in the second annual Challenge Laguna Phuket triathlon on Sunday.

The event’s inaugural edition launched last year with 602 entrants signing up to complete the 1.9 kilometer swim, 90km bike ride and 21km run.

The Challenge Laguna Phuket triathlon will bring to a close the iconic week-long “Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest”, which began last Sunday with the 21st Laguna Phuket Triathlon (story here).

Among the record number of entrants this year will be many professional athletes, including world champions, competing for a slice of the race’s prize purse of 25,000 euros (more than 1 million baht).

Defending champions Rasmus Petraeus of Denmark and Melissa Hauschildt of Australia have registered to return to the island in hopes of once again taking the top spot on the podium.

Petraeus is set to face strong challenges from a field that will include four-time Laguna Phuket Triathlon champion Massimo Cigana of Italy and fellow Italian Alberto Casadei. Cigana and Casadei crossed the finish line together last Sunday to become the first dual champions in the history of the Laguna Phuket Triathlon.

Also joining the fray at the Challenge Laguna event will be multiple-record holder Luke McKenzie of Australia, along with Swiss Olympian and double Laguna Phuket Triathlon title holder Ruedi Wild.

The women’s competitions are expected to once again see high-caliber fields of elite athletes taking on their tropical challengers while trying to nab the title from Hauschildt.

Laguna Phuket Triathlon triple winner Radka Vodickova of the Czech Republic has confirmed that she will also take part – setting up an intriguing contest with Parys Edwards of Great

Britain, who last Sunday won top honors in the Laguna Phuket Triathlon.

World-renowned triathlon sweetheart Belinda Granger of Australia, who just completed her 12th Laguna Phuket Triathlon will also be racing Sunday.

The Laguna Phuket Triathlon and the Challenge Laguna Phuket are proudly sponsored by the Phuket Gazette and PGTV’s “Phuket Today” show, the island’s only nationally broadcast television program (aired six daily on True Visions and all local cable networks).

For more information and race registration, visit www.challengelagunaphuket.com