Macca and Granger lead field at Laguna L?ng Cô
Inaugural Vietnamese race adds Chris McCormack and Belinda Granger to field
International tri legend Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack and Belinda Granger will lead a strong group of elite international pro athletes at the inaugural Laguna L?ng Cô Triathlon 2013, being staged on 14th April at Laguna L?ng 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.
With its pedigree as the sister event of the long-established Laguna Phuket Triathlon – now in its 20th year – Laguna L?ng 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 that 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 L?ng Cô.
“I’m incredibly excited to be taking part in the inaugural Laguna L?ng Cô Triathlon – 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.”
Laguna L?ng Cô, nestling on the 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 L?ng Cô 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.
Registrations are open at www.lagunalangcotriathlon.com and accommodation specials at Banyan Tree L?ng Cô and Angsana L?ng Cô are also available on the website.
Matt Baird
Editor of Cycling Plus magazine 
