THAI Organizes 7th Laguna Phuket Triathlon 2000

Thai Airways International held a joint press conference to announce the upcoming Laguna Phuket Triathlon 2000 which is scheduled to take place on 2 December 2000, chaired by Mr. Sutat Rattanakunjara, THAI’s Vice President, Product Development & Management, Mr. Suraphon Svetasreni, Director for Marketing Services Department, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mr. Niyom Tassaneetipagorn, Assistant Vice President, Laguna Resort Hotel Public Company Limited, and Mr. Michael Dale, Assistant Vice President, International Management Group Public Company Limited (IMG).

The 7th Laguna Phuket Triathlon 2000 is a result of joint cooperation between Thai Airways International, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Laguna Resort Hotel, and International Management Group (IMG). The main objective in organizing the event was to help promote Thailand tourism industry by exhibiting the unique beauty of Phuket and its natural surroundings. In addition, the triathlon is one of Southeast Asia’s major sporting events participated by athletes worldwide.

Following the standard of the Olympic Games, the competition will begin with a 1,800-meter swim course from the beach in front of Sheraton Grand Laguna Beach Resort towards the lake in front of Laguna Beach Club. This will be followed by a 55-kilometer cycling which will end at the Laguna Beach Club. Participants will complete the tournament with 12-kilometer run along the ring road around Laguna Phuket Resort, the competition to end at Banyan Tree Phuket Hotel.

The 1999 champions, Marc Lees will defend his title for the second consecutive year and Lori Bowden after her 2nd place finish at the Hawaii IronMan Competition will also take part in this year’s competition, together with international athletes from Australia, the United States, Canada, and Europe. This year, winner prizes for this year include US$30,000. The 2000 Laguna Phuket Triathlon offers 25 guaranteed entries into the 2001 IronMan World Championship in Hawaii. An extra 10,000 Baht cash prize will be given to Thai athletes who reach the finish line.

Race registration can be made at the Laguna Sport Company Limited at Tel: (076) 324060 or Fax (076) 324061 or IMG at Tel:661-0322 ext. 11 or Fax: 661-0321. The field is limited to only 550 competitors.