Posted: November 11, 2004

Triathlon: THAI Signs as Triathlon Title Sponsor

Laguna Resorts & Hotels Plc., is pleased to announce that after a break of four years Thai Airways International have returned as title sponsor of the eleventh annual Thai Airways International Laguna Phuket Triathlon presented by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. THAI and TAT have consistently been the event’s major sponsors since its inception in 1994, with THAI retaining title sponsorship until the year 2000.

Scheduled for 20 November, this year’s triathlon has attracted the largest field ever seen at Laguna Phuket with some 480 athletes from 30 countries expected to compete over the gruelling 1.8km swim, 55km cycle and 12km run course. This includes 20 relay teams each comprising 3 athletes who will compete over one leg of the course.

Competing for a share of the US$20,000 pro prize purse against a total field of some 20 professional triathletes are the world’s best:

- Simon Thompson (AUS), 2003 Laguna Phuket Triathlon Champion and 2004 Olympian

- Craig Alexander (AUS), 2002 Laguna Phuket Triathlon Champion and 2004 Long Course Champion

- Peter Reid (CAN), 3-time World Ironman Champion

- Carol Montgomery (CAN), 2003 & 2002 Laguna Phuket Triathlon Champion, 2000 & 2004 Olympian and 2002 Commonwealth Games gold medallist

- Lisa Bentley (CAN), 6-time World Ironman Champion

- Barb Lindquist (USA), No. 1 in the International Triathlon Union (ITU) current world ranking

- Nicole Hackett (AUS), 3-time ITU World Champion and 2000 Olympian

There are some major changes to the event set up this year with all legs of the race, apart from the swim which will again begin at Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket at 8:00am, starting and finishing at the same venue (lagoon side park at the Y-junction leading to Laguna Beach Resort) so spectators can conveniently stay in one location and enjoy the entire event. There will be grandstand seating for the first time ever plus food and beverage stalls to keep the crowd refreshed.

Between 8:30am-11:30am the triathlon bike course will take cyclists north to Naithon and towards the airport before returning on the old airport road 4031 to join Thepkasatree Road south to Thalang, Ban Don and back to Cherngtalay, so there will be traffic disruptions and some road closures in these areas.

If the triathlon doesn’t provide enough exercise, there will also be a 5km and 10km Fun Run at 9:00am on Sunday 21 November. Everyone is welcome to join in this informal, fun event.