Jimmy Johnsen ready for a big race at Koh Samui Triathlon

Danish star Jimmy Johnsen has headed to Koh Samui this week ready to take on the second edition of the Samui Triathlon on the beautiful Thai island of Koh Samui.

The inaugural event in 2012 formed one of the strongest pro start lists outside Kona and this year has not disappointed. The reigning champion David Dellow has returned as well a strong European contingent including Ironman champions Massimo Cigana, Marcel Zamora and Dan Halksworth. Oceania is well represented with the above mentioned Dellow, Keegan Williams, Brian Rhodes and 10 x Ironman New Zealand Champion Cameron Brown all ready to take on one of the best prize purses on offer in long course triathlon.

Johnsen is confident he has recovered well from Ironman Melbourne.

Having raced Ironman Melbourne a few weeks ago, I didn’t have a lot of time to recover or prep specifically for this race, but this was on the plan for a couple of months so I knew after Melbourne what I needed to do to get ready. As long as you keep the body moving it’s much easier to back up so soon after the Ironman.

Having raced on the pro circuit for many years helps give understanding to his bodies needs

I’ve done 17 Ironman races and probably another 10 plus long course races, so you become very aware of what your body needs and what it’s telling you. Sometimes you just know you need to stop and rest and other times you know you can recover quickly and go again.

The race will be a battle of toughest in more ways than one, with the heat and humidity likely to play a major factor, as it did in the 2012 event. With temperatures in the high 30 Degrees Celsius and over 70% humidity levels, the athletes that best manage their nutrition and hydration will likely reign supreme.

Like a lot of professional triathletes, I get to live an endless summer, I live in Australia for the southern hemisphere summer and then head to either Europe or USA for the Northern summer. Even though I’m from Denmark, I love the heat, I feel much more comfortable in temps over 30 degrees so I am very much looking forward to hot conditions on race day. It reminds me of Kona which it good practice for October”

Event organisers have invested much time and financial support to put on this type of event on the small island.

This is the first time I’ve been to Thailand so it’s nice to visit somewhere new and race a different event. Gerald and his team have worked very hard to get this event to such a high level and they look after us athletes very well. It’s important to help smaller races succeed, and the large prize purse on offer helps!”