Denmark's Rasmus Petraeus and Australia's Melissa Hauschildt were crowned victors at the inaugural Challenge Laguna Phuket race in Thailand earlier today, with 25mins separating the two amid perfect tropical conditions.
Petraeus led out of the 1.9km swim with Alberto Casadei (ITA) and Alberto Alessandroni (ITA) just seconds behind, beginning a three-way tussle for the lead throughout the 90km bike.
Petraeus eventually shook off Casadei a third of the way into the 21km run, crossing the line in 4:05:06, followed by Casadei (4:07:13) and Alessandroni (4:07:52).
World Ironman champions Pete Jacobs (AUS) and Chris McCormack (AUS) were hotly tipped going into the race, but Jacobs crossed the line in 10th with a time of 4:30:38, while McCormack did not finish.
In the women's race, Radka Vodickova (CZE) left the water with a two-minute lead over Hauschildt and her fellow Aussie Belinda Granger.
Hauschildt grabbed the lead in the bike, crossing the line in 4:30:29, followed by Vodickova (4:36:16) and Britain's Tamsin Lewis (4:44:49).
For full results go to www.challengelagunaphuket.com.
(Photo: Xaume Olleros/Getty Images)