The Ironman equivalent of Linares chess, a huge success

Allow me to use the term "Linares" over "Wimbledon" this time to describe a premier sports tournament for the sake of chess. Many people may not be aware that the Philippines recently hosted one of the biggest Ironman championship this year, the Ironman Philippines 70.3 at Camarines Sur. If you'll compare the participants who joined the event to those of chess, it is safe to say that the Philippines hosted for the first time the true "Linares" tournament in Ironman competetion. Most of the top athletes of the sport were here, both women and men world champions. The Philippines will be hosting the event again for the next two years as part of three years contract signed with World Triathlon Corp. Now here it from the champion himself, Terenzo Bozzone of New Zealand:

That basically sums up my trip here to the Philippines. The Weather was hot, the people were great and had warm personalities and this place is amazing. Plus I hate it in cold weather when I can’t feel my toes after the bike, so bring on the heat.

My experience here has been wonderful, we have been treated like rock stars, the venue for the race was beautiful and the event was put on at a world class level which is an amazing achievement for an inaugural race.