Olympic Gold Medallist Wins Laguna Phuket Triathlon 2009

The 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medallist, Jan Frodeno, took first place in a new course record and US$ 3,500 in prize money at this year’s Laguna Phuket Triathlon 2009 ‘Race of Legends’.

The South Africa-based star posted an overall finish time of 02:24:56, 00:03.23 faster than the previous record set by Richie Cunningham (AUS) in 2008. Frodeno was followed home some 12 minutes later by professional athlete, Matthieu O’Halloran (CAN) in second place with a time of 02:36:58. Balazs Csoke (HUN) completed the top three, finishing in 02:38:18.

Frodeno said after the race “The bike section was a challenge due to my inexperience of the course and knowing how to pace this particular race. He continued “I am amazed at the fantastic organisation and the welcoming people, I am so happy to finally be here, I have been trying to get to the race for the last three years – the event has got a great festival atmosphere.”

Radka Vodickova (CZE) won the 2009 Pro Women’s championship in a time of 02:46:15. She was pushed all the way by last year’s defending champion and the 3 x Ironman Champion Belinda Granger (AUS), who finished second in a time of 02:49:51. Fellow Australian Rachael Paxton took the third podium place with an overall time of 02:52:16.

Radka Vodickova completed the 1.8km swim in 0:25:02, followed by Belinda Granger just 14 seconds behind. Vodickova was also the first woman off the bike course, finishing in 01:30:52, followed by Granger, who completed the bike course in 01:30:36, the fastest time by a woman.

Some 1,000 athletes crossed the start line to compete in the Laguna Phuket Triathlon on December 6. The race began at the beachfront of the Laguna Beach Resort with the first wave starting at 7am with hundreds of triathletes vying for an early lead in the first leg of the Triathlon.

The uniquely designed 1.8k swim crossed two bodies of water, through the Andaman Sea followed by a beachside lagoon. First out of the water was Jan Frodeno with a swim time of 00:21:54, followed by Matthieu O’ Halloran 45 seconds behind in 00:22:39.

The first male to complete the 55k bike course through Phuket’s tropical countryside was Jan Frodeno in an impressive 01:20:15, ahead of Matthieu O’ Halloran who came in second in 01:26:37, and defending champion Richie Cunningham in third.

The champion of the Team Relay race was Triathlon Travel winning in 02:46:10. Second place went to Donald Legget Racing in 003:00:37 followed by the Sheraton On B team finishing in 03:11:10.

The fastest Thai male finisher was Chadarak Chaikamjorn in 03:01:33, while the first Thai woman to finish was Natcha Pianprasobsuk who completed the race in 03:23:52.

The 2010 Laguna Phuket Triathlon is scheduled to take place on 28 November.

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