Video Report: Laguna Phuket Triathlon marks historic victory

PHUKET: Italians Massimo Cigana and Alberto Casadei made history together at the Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) yesterday as they crossed the finish line as one and became LPT’s first dual champions in the annual event’s 21-year history.

Cigana, who won in 2008, 2010 and 2011, also became the triathlon’s first four-time champion, and once again carved his name into the race’s history books.

“We ran together the last lap, so we decided to cross the finish line together. The weather is sweltering today so it was difficult especially on the run leg, but it’s great to win together [as we are] representing Venice, Italy, the same city we are from,” said Cigana.

Both Cigana (swim 29:25, bike 1:18:44, run 43:46) and Casadei (swim 25:03, bike 1:22:05, run 44:43) finished in 2:33:57. In third place, Australia’s Mitchell Robins crossed the line in 2:34:14.

In the women’s field, Parys Edwards of Great Britain, who recently won gold at the 2013 ITU World Championships in London, finished in first place.

Edwards finished in 2:54:53 (swim 34:24, bike 1:29:16, run 48:37), followed by Australian Belinda Granger (2:58:51). Granger made her 12th LPT appearance and bid farewell to her professional career as a triathlete at this year’s Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest.

Third in the women’s field was Germany’s Katja Rabe at 2:59:35.

Cigana and Casadei are both looking forward to the Challenge Laguna Phuket to be held next Sunday.

“We think we are in a good shape, and we will fight for the best results possible at the Challenge Laguna Phuket next week,” Cigana said.

Casadei agreed: “It’s amazing to run together and race together here in Phuket… I am very proud to win with him and represent Italy,” he said. “It’d be really great if we could win CLP together next week!”

This year, a field of more than 1,200 individual athletes representing 47 nationalities jumped into the waters of Bang Tao Bay at 6:30am to tackle the 1.8km swim, 55km bike ride and 12km run in order to take part in the Laguna Phuket Triathlon.

There were also 65 relay teams taking part amid the event’s carnival atmosphere. This year’s entries once again broke previous years’ records.

Results:

Men:
1. Massimo Cigana (ITA) 02:33:57
2. Alberto Casadei (ITA) 02:33:57
3. Mitchell Robins (AUS) 02:34:14
4. Casey Munro (AUS) 02:37:35
5. Fredrik Croneborg (SWE) 02:37:59

Women:
1. Parys Edwards (AUS) 02:54:53
2. Belinda Granger (AUS) 02:58:51
3. Katja Rabe (AUS) 02:59:35
4. Carole Fuchs (FRA) 03:04:29
5. Leanne Szeto (AUS) 03:05:05

Full participants list and result available here.

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).