Top triathletes sign up for Laguna event
BANG TAO: Some of the world’s top triathletes will once again compete in the 11th Thai Airways International Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT), which will be held at the Laguna Phuket Resort on November 20.
Some 500 athletes from more than 32 countries are expected to vie for prize money totaling US$20,000.
Athletes already confirmed in the men’s category include: Australians Simon Thompson, Olympic team member and defending LPT champion, and multiple ironman winner; Craig Alexander, three-time LPT champion and four-time (and current) Australian long-course champion; and Mild Seven Outdoor Quest top-three finisher, Chris Legh. Also taking part will be Canada’s Peter Reid, three-time and current Hawaii World Ironman champion, and former Canadian and Australian Ironman winner.
The lineup in the womens’ category includes: Australians Nicole Hackett, the three-time world-title winner and 2002 Commonwealth Games bronze medal winner and two-time junior world-title holder; Belinda Granger, the 2001-4 Korean Ironman champion and two-time 2nd-place finisher in the Australian Ironman.
Other women taking part are Canadian Carol Montgomery of the 2004 Olympic team, who is the defending LPT champion and 2002 Commonwealth Games Gold-medal winner; and Barb Lindquist from the US, who came fourth in the Athens Olympics and is currently ranked world number 1.
In the event, which will start at 8 am, competitors will be required to swim 1.8 kilometers, cycle 55 kms, and run 12 kms, starting and finishing at the Y-junction near the Laguna Beach Resort.
The entry fee for individuals is US$120 for non-Thai nationals and 1,800 baht for Thais. The entry fee for teams of three is US$270 for non-Thai teams, or 7,500 baht for teams that have at least one Thai athlete.
Teams will consist of one swimmer, one cyclist and one runner, who will each complete one segment of the course. 30 teams are expected to take part.
The closing date for entries is November 18. Race registration will be held on Friday November 19 from 10am to 4pm in a marquee at the Laguna Beach Resort.
Athlete attendance is compulsory at registration and at the course briefing in English, Thai and Japanese, which will follow at 5pm.
For further information see the event’s website at: www.lagunaphukettriathlon.com or contact Michelle Payette, Assistant Race Director at Tel: 076-324 416 (ext106), email: triathlon@lagunaphukettriathlon.com.
