Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa Hosts Hundreds of Athletes in November

             For Island's Signature GFNY Cozumel and Ford Ironman Cozumel International Events

                                 Competition Dates And Hotel Preferential Training Rates Set For 2015

 COZUMEL, Mexico  (Dec. 30, 2014)  --  Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa, the only luxury hotel on the Mexican Caribbean  Island of Cozumel, welcomed hundreds of athletes in November coming from the U.S., Mexico and abroad to compete in the November 23 GFNY Cozumel and November 30 Ford Ironman Cozumel competitions.  The hotel strongly supported  both events by hosting seminars for all participants and providing specialized training areas, equipment maintenance and nutritional stations for athletes staying on property.

                GFNY Cozumel was a sold-out event with over 1,100 participants from all over the world.  More than $50,000 in prizes were awarded among the top men and women's competitors, which included for men, Yayir de Jesus Jimenez Godinez in first place, Manuel Ayala Balam in second place and Ezra Ward Packard in third place; and for women, Michelle Plipo in first place, Anahi Leon Becerril in second place, and Lisa Mangus in third place.  Other prizes awarded included four Cervelo S3 road bikes valued at $5,000 U.S. each, two seven-day Royal Caribbean cruises, helmets by Limar and jewelry from Diamond International.

                Ward Packard and Mangus both stayed at Presidente InterContinental Cozumel for training and the competition.  Also staying with the resort for GFNY Cozumel was Nelson Vails who rode as a professional from 1988 to 1995 representing the USA at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where he won the silver medal in the 1,000-meter Match Sprint.  He was the first African-American cyclist to win an Olympic medal and was inducted into the U.S. Bicycle Hall of Fame in 2009.

                Ford Ironman Cozumel attracted 2,500 international competitors .  More than $75,000 U.S. was awarded to the top male and female competitors, which included for the men, Michael Weiss from Austria in first place, Matt Chrabot from the U.S. in second place and Clemente Alonso McKernan from Spain in third place; and for the women, Nicola Spirig from Switzerland in first place, Michelle Vesterby from Denmark in second place and Kelly Williamson from the U.S. in third place.  

                The race began next door to Presidente InterContinental Cozumel, at Marina Fonatur.  Hotel guests could see the athletes swimming directly in front of the property.  The "Science Behind Ironman Congress" seminar was held at the hotel Nov. 28-29.

                In 2015, GFNY Cozumel will be held Nov. 22 and Ironman on Nov. 29, with early booking rates for both available until January 15, 2015.  Athlete training rates will be offered April 21 to November 15 with pool view room at $160 U.S. per night, double occupancy.  Registration documents from any Gran Fondo or Ironman/ITU race around the world to be shown upon arrival for preferential rate.  Not valid Sept. 17-22 or Oct. 2-6, 2015. 

                Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa, a member of Leading Hotels of the World  and Virtuoso, offers breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea and is located on a half mile of white, sandy beach, surrounded by green vegetation and just steps from  one of the world's largest coral reef systems.  Resort amenities include four restaurants and three bars, a world-class spa, 24-hour fitness center, tennis, Scuba Du in-house PADI dive shop and Chiqui Club year-round children's program.  Guests can also enjoy swimming with the dolphins at Chankanaab National Park or golf at the nearby Nicklaus-designed Cozumel Country Club.  

                The resort has received the 2014 TripAdvisor® Traveler's Choice Award as one of the top hotels in Mexico, was also recognized by U.S. News & World Report as Best Hotel in Cozumel in its Best Hotel rankings for 2014, and an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine for its Alfredo Di Roma gourmet restaurant.

                For hotel reservations and information, visit http://www.intercontinentalcozumel.com, or call toll free from the USA (800) 327-0200.