On behalf of Triathlon Australia and the entire triathlon community, our deepest sympathies go to the family of the 39-year-old competitor, Peter Farlecas from Melbourne who died in the final stages of the 1.9km swim leg of Sunday’s IRONMAN 70.3 on the Sunshine Coast.  In particular we think of Peter’s wife Luisa and their three young girls, who were at the Sunshine Coast race to support Peter.

Although medical investigations are continuing, it is likely that he suffered a cardiac arrest.  

Our thanks and praise go to the IRONMAN event crew, Mooloolaba Surf Lifesaving club and paramedics who did everything humanly possible to save Peter’s life.  We know they too will be greatly affected by yesterday’s tragic circumstances.

The event was conducted in excellent conditions with all the normal attention to the safety of competitors.

The sport of triathlon brings together so many wonderful people and to think that we have lost one of our own today doing what he loved is heart wrenching for us all.