Brazilian takes the gold at Laguna Phuket Triathlon
Reinaldo Colucci sets new course record
(2006-12-06 13:41:56)


Reinaldo Colucci (standing centre in pic), the 21-year-old Brazilian triathlete won the Laguna Phuket Triathlon pro men’s championship title with a new course record of 2:30:58 - finishing 3.21 minutes ahead of second placed Terenzo Bozzone (right) from New Zealand.

825 athletes vied for an early lead in the first leg of the triathlon. The1.8k swim saw was pro athlete Leonardo Ballerini from Italy first our of the water 0025, followed by Thai national team swimmer Arcom Auchitoran representing the Raj Pracha Samasai Foundation team in 0026 and US pro female Laura Bennett in 0055. Mr Colucci completed the 55km bicycle ride in 01:21:57, ahead of Terenzo Bozzone, who came in a close second in 0127, and Massimo Cigana od Italy in 0108.

Colucci and Bozzone battled it out during the 12k run until Colucci secured a comfortable lead to win 3.21 minutes ahead of Bozzone and take home USD3,000 in prize money. Terenzo Bozzone claimed second place in 0239, followed by Massimo Cigana (left), who placed fifth in 2005, in third place with a total time of 0231.

Laguna Phuket defending champion Samantha McGlone (CAN) once again claimed the Pro Women’s championship in 02:48:34, followed by newcomer Leanda Cave (GBR) in 02:50:35 and Laura Bennett (USA) in 02:54:02.

The champion of the Herbalife Corporate Challenge Team Relay was the Raj Pracha Samasai Foundation team comprising Arcom Auchitoran, Saree Reangsiri and Veerachai Sriboonram, who won in 0251. Second place went to Jetpon Ampanmanee, Stephan Gratziani and Suvat Paiboon of the Herbalife Liftoff team in 02:50:37, followed by the Phuket Hash House Harriers team, comprising Lee Howard, Kergkong Siriwan and Eakaruk Pantip in 03:03:06. The fastest Thai finisher was Chadarak Chaikamjorn in 0357 while the first Thai woman to finish was Natcha Pianprasobsuk in 03:45:43.

Complete race results can be found at Laguna Phuket Triathlon: one of Asia's best triathlon competitions
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