Preview: Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-fest

TMC is in Laguna Phuket this week for Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-fest, which kicked off its week-long multisport celebration with its press conference today.

The 22nd annual Laguna Phuket Triathlon (taking place Sunday, November 22nd) and 3rd annual Challenge Laguna Phuket (taking place Sunday, November 29th) attract triathletes from around the world and this year is bigger than ever. Between the two events, over 1,900 triathletes from over 40 countries have come to the increasingly popular tourist destination to race. Canada alone has 22 triathletes racing Laguna Phuket Triathlon.

Sitting on the panel at the press conference today were big names such as Australian Belinda Granger, 15-time Ironman Champion (widely known in the Asia-Pacific region where she concentrated her racing career prior to retirement). Germany’s Michael Raelert, multiple-time Ironman 70.3 World Champion and 2011 race winner, was also present alongside Ruedi Wild (SUI) and defending dual-champions Massimo Cigana (ITA) and Alberto Casadei (ITA). Each of the pros expressed their love for the iconic Laguna Phuket Triathlon, a race they agreed is on the bucket-list of professionals around the world.

We’ll post a race report tomorrow and you can expect the full story in an upcoming issue but for now, here are some preview pictures from the festivities so far. You might find yourself looking up race registration for 2016 after you flip through.