Czech reigns in Subic long distance triathlon

SUBIC — Getting a glimpse of the course a day earlier, world No. 1 Petr Vabrousek estimated finishing the race in a little over four hours. He was right on target.

Vabrousek, 33, ruled the International Triathlon Union O2 Long Distance Triathlon yesterday in dominating fashion under heavy rains and gusty winds brought about by Super Typhoon Reming that hit the Subic Bay Freeport Zone here.

The Czech, in his first O2 race after eight Ironman races, four half-Ironman and three O3s, breasted the tape in four hours, 17 minutes and 29 seconds.

"There were some winds and rains, but it didn’t bother me much. It (race) was short for me," said Vabrousek, a native of Zlin, a city three kilometers east of Prague.

Vabrousek was long done with post-race interview when second placer Japanese Hirato Taro checked in with a time of 4:32:41.

The 40-year-old Taro, a sportscaster of a popular sports show J Sports specializing in cycling back home in Tokyo, was satisfied with his second place finish in the event backed by Speedo, Power Bar, David’s Salon and Spa, Fitness First, Asian Centre for Insulation Phil., Herbalife and Legenda Hotel and hosted by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

"He’s the world No. 1, there is no way I can beat him," said Taro, once ranked 30th in the world.

Adventure racer Popo Nagtalon-Remigio ruled the women’s side in 6:07:01 as American Ruthy Vesler, ranked eighth by the ITU, begged off due to the super typhoon. — Joey Villar