Legendary “Macca” Leads Elite Pro Field at Inaugural Laguna Lang Co – Vietnam Airlines Triathlon 2013
Thua Thien Hue Province, March 2013 – International triathlon legend Chris “Macca” McCormack will lead a strong group of elite international pro athletes at the inaugural Laguna Lăng Cô – Vietnam Airlines Triathlon 2013, being staged on 14th April at Laguna Lăng Cô, Vietnam’s first and largest world-class integrated resort development.
McCormack, a two-time Ironman World Champion acclaimed as one of the most successful athletes in triathlon history, joins fellow Australians Belinda and Justin Granger, American Chris Lieto, Czech Olympian Radka Vodickova and Phuket-based Swede Frederik Croneborg in the impressive pro line-up at the new resort in central Vietnam.
Laguna Lăng Cô has also announced Vietnam Airlines as official title sponsor of the new triathlon, which is attracting entries from regional and international age group athletes eager to debut the 1.8 km swim, 62 km bike and 12 km run courses alongside the pros.
“We are honoured to have the support from Vietnam Airlines as the official title sponsor of the Laguna Lăng Cô – Vietnam Airlines Triathlon 2013,” said Ravi Chandran, Laguna Lăng Cô’s Managing Director. “Having the national airline of Vietnam as official sponsor of the Laguna Lăng Cô – Vietnam Airlines Triathlon 2013 reaffirms the significance of the triathlon not only as a sporting event for athletes, but also as a showcase of Lang Co as a stunning travel destination,” he said.
With its pedigree as the sister event of the long-established Laguna Phuket Triathlon – now in its 20th year – Laguna Lăng Cô Triathlon will contain many elements of that legendary race, renowned for its course challenges, ambience and hospitality.
McCormack competed in his first Laguna Phuket Triathlon last November, when misjudgments of hot conditions and the challenging bike course cost him a podium place. Although he went on to win Ironman 70.3 Laguna Phuket a week later – the final edition of this race which this year becomes Challenge Laguna Phuket as part of the new Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest – he’s eager not to make the same mistakes in his Vietnam debut. “The opportunity to race challenging events in exotic places is what keeps me motivated in this sport,” he shared. “Vietnam sounds like an amazing place, and for my first visit to the country you don’t get a better opportunity to see the countryside and enjoy a town like racing a triathlon – I am super pumped about racing in Vietnam!”
His fellow pros are all Laguna Phuket Triathlon veterans and Belinda Granger – with 10 Laguna Phuket appearances and two championships – also can’t wait to test herself at Laguna Lăng Cô.
“I’m incredibly excited to be taking part in the inaugural Laguna Lăng Cô – Vietnam Airlines Triathlon 2013 – I’ve wanted to visit Vietnam for so many years now and finally I get the opportunity,” she said. “I love the distance and after supporting the Laguna Phuket triathlon for the past 10 years there was no way I was going to miss its new sister race in Vietnam. It will be my first race for the 2013 season, so I will be ready to give it all I have got. I’ve been looking online at the new Laguna Lăng Cô resort and it looks amazing -I’m just as excited about exploring the area post-race as I am about the race itself.”
Laguna Lăng Cô, nestling on the pristine coast of Lang Co Bay, contains Banyan Tree and Angsana hotels and spas, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Sir Nick Faldo, as well as private villas and residences, convention facilities and recreational pursuits.
The Laguna Lăng Cô – Vietnam Airlines Triathlon 2013 also has a duathlon, consisting of a 6 km run, 62 km bike ride and 12 km run, as well as a 6 km fun run.
