Italy's Massimo Cigana and Czech Republic's Radka Vodickova will defend their titles in the 19th Laguna Phuket Triathlon, where around 1,200 triathletes from 46 countries will put their endurance and physical fitness to the test today.
A total of 946 triathletes have registered to line up for the individual race, while 58 three-member teams are ready to topple one another in the team relay category. The gruelling course comprises a 1.8km swim, 55km bike and 12km run around Phuket's west coast.
Among the elite competitors is the two-time Ironman world champion Chris "Macca" McCormack from Australia, a legend in triathlon circles and once named the world's fittest man by sports broadcaster ESPN. McCormack will make his debut in the Laguna Phuket Triathlon here, hoping to push three-time LPT champion Cigana and American Ironman Chris Lieto for the coveted men's title.
Macca has broken eight hours in the full ironman distance four times, a feat unmatched by any other athlete. It's no wonder he has been named international Triathlete of the Year five times.
Also challenging Macca and Cigana for top honours will be Californian speedster Lieto - founder of the triathlon-inspired More Than Sport organisation, which is helping the race organisers raise funds for a mobile library and learning centre for children in Thailand's Phang Nga province.
Lieto has widely been regarded as one of the fastest cyclists in the multiple-sport event.
Also racing alongside the men's pros will be some of the sport's top female triathletes. Doing their best to collect the women's crown title will be 2009 and reigning champion Vodickova and Laguna Phuket veteran, Australian Belinda Granger, back in Phuket for her 10th LPT appearance, vying for her third title here.
"It's a nice experience racing here in Laguna Phuket. It gave me much fun. I'm confident that I can retain my title here," said Vodickova, who represented Czech Republic in the London Olympic triathlon.
Granger said, "It's so incredible that this is my 10th appearance in the Laguna Phuket Triathlon. I started triathlon in 2000 and I was told at that time that if I turn pro, the Laguna Phuket Triathlon is a course I should not miss. The LPT is an amazing experience. "Every year, I look forward to returning - the race course, the people, food, the place - there are so many wonderful memories here," she said.
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/11/25/cigana-has-mccormack-in-his-way/
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