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Frodeno Wins Laguna Phuket Triathlon

  • By Paul Moore
  • Published December 7, 2009

2008 Beijing Olympic gold medallist Jan Frodeno took first place in a new course record and US$ 3,500 in prize money at this year’s ‘Race of Legends’ in an electrifying pro competition.

The South Africa-based superstar posted an overall finish time of 02:24:56, 00:03.23 faster than the previous record set by Richie Cunningham (AUS) in 2008.

Frodeno was followed home some 12 minutes later by professional athlete, Matthieu O’Halloran (CAN) in second place with a time of 02:36:58. Balazs Csoke (HUN) completed the top three, finishing in 02:38:18.

Frodeno said after the race “The bike section was a challenge due to my inexperience of the course and knowing how to pace this particular race. He continued “I am amazed at the fantastic organisation and the welcoming people, I am so happy to finally be here, I have been trying to get to the race for the last three years – the event has got a great festival atmosphere.”

Radka Vodickova (CZE) won the 2009 Pro Women’s championship in a time of 02:46:15. She was pushed all the way by last year’s defending champion and the 3 x Ironman Champion Belinda Granger (AUS), who finished second in a time of 02:49:51. Fellow Australian Rachael Paxton took the third podium place with an overall time of 02:52:16.

Radka Vodickova completed the 1.8km swim in 0:25:02, followed by Belinda Granger just 14 seconds behind. Vodickova was also the first woman off the bike course, finishing in 01:30:52, followed by Granger, who completed the bike course in 01:30:36, the fastest time by a woman.

Laguna Phuket podium 2009

Some 1,000 athletes crossed the start line to compete in sizzling conditions at Laguna Phuket Triathlon on December 6. The race began at the beachfront of the Laguna Beach Resort with the first wave starting at 7am with hundreds of triathletes vying for an early lead in the first leg of the Triathlon.

The uniquely designed 1.8k swim crossed two bodies of water, through the Andaman Sea followed by a beachside lagoon. First out of the water was Jan Frodeno with a swim time of 00:21:54, followed by Matthieu O’ Halloran 45 seconds behind in 00:22:39.

First male to complete the 55k bike course through Phuket’s tropical countryside was Jan Frodeno in an impressive 01:20:15, ahead of Matthieu O’ Halloran who came in second in 01:26:37, and defending champion Richie Cunningham in third.

Laguna Phuket Triathlon
1.8km swim, 55km bike, 12km run

Top 5 Men
1 Jan Frodeno (GER) 02:24:56
2 Matthieu O’Halloran (CAN) 02:36:58
3 Balazs Csoke (HUN) 02:38:18
4 Kevin Clark(GBR) 02:38:49
5 Yonatan Malka (ISR) 02:39:24

Top 5 Women
1 Radka Vodickova (CZE) 02:46:15
2 Belinda Granger (AUS) 02:49:51
3 Rachael Paxton (AUS) 02:52:16
4 Tereza Macel (CAN) 02:53:05
5 Virginia Berasategui (ESP) 02:54:45

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Paul Moore

Paul Moore

Paul Moore is the Online Editor for Triathlete Europe. When not glued to a computer he can be found writing books - most recently Ultimate Triathlon: A complete training guide for long-distance triathletes which you can buy on Amazon