Anticipation was mounting for first timers and others alike as they were prepared even before the sunrise at the river bank near Dataran Lang. Differed by age, 700 participants from 38 countries were afloat at the first signal at 7.30am, getting ready for their first round of the triathlon -- swimming 3.8km. The race officially started at 7.45am. br br br Mathieu Ohalloran, 22, from Canada was leading in the swim, which gave him the upper hand to bike. Following behind him in less than an hour was Faris Al Sultan, 30, from Germany. In the women's category Hillary Biscay, 29, from USA was in the lead and this is her first time here to compete in Langkawi. Second place in the swimming competition was Elmar Schuberth from Austria.