Bozzone second at Laguna Phuket Triathlon

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(l-r) Massimo Cigana (ITA), Reinaldo Colucci (BRA), and Terenzo Bozzone (NZL)

MEDIA RELEASE
5 December 2006

Bozzone second at Laguna Phuket Triathlon
Brazil Ends Australian Domination with New Course Record

New Zealand triathlete Terenzo Bozzone came in a close second at the Laguna Phuket Triathlon pro men’s championship in the weekend, finishing just 3.21 seconds behind the Brazilian winner Reinaldo Colucci.

21 year-old Colucci ended the decade-long Australian domination of the title and set a course record of 2:30:58 in his first year competing at the event.

Since 1997 the event, comprising a 1.8k swim, 55k cycle and 12k run, has been won by Australian triathletes including Greg Bennett, Craig Alexander, Simon Thompson and Greg Welch. This was Colucci’s first time competing in the Laguna Phuket Triathlon.

The race began at the beachfront of Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket at 08:00 am where 825 athletes vied for an early lead in the first leg of the triathlon. The uniquely designed 1.8km swim crossed two bodies of water, firstly through the Andaman Sea followed by a beachside lagoon.

First out of the water was pro athlete Leonardo Ballerini from Italy with a swim time of 00:22:25, followed by Thai national team swimmer Arcom Auchitoran representing the Raj Pracha Samasai Foundation team in 00:23:26 and pro female Laura Bennett (USA) in 00:23:55.

First off the 55km bike was Reinaldo Colucci (BRA) in 01:21:57 ahead of Bozzone, a close second in 01:22:27, and Massimo Cigana (ITA) in 01:23:08.

Colucci and Bozzone battled it out during the 12km 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 02:33:39, followed by Massimo Cigana in third place with a total time of 02:35:31.

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.

For complete race results please visit the Laguna Phuket Triathlon website at www.lagunaphukettriathlon.com

ENDS

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