Lana Rogers has made it two wins from two starts in the Nutri-Grain IronWoman Series. The 23-year-old from Noosa Heads claimed round two, the enduro round, at Burleigh Heads by being close to the lead all race and then producing a sensational final ski leg.
Lizzie Welborn (20) from Newport had one of the best races of her life to take second, just in front of Harriet Brown (BMD Northcliffe) who made a sensational return to racing after a long injury lay-off.
Georgia Miller (BMD Northcliffe) finished fourth, where she sat for most of the race. Danielle McKenzie (BMD Northcliffe) finished strong in fifth and Courtney Hancock (BMD Northcliffe) who led the race early finished sixth.
Rogers was fifth after the first swim leg and by the second swim leg had moved to the front of the lead pack of four. At certain stages all four lead women looked like they might break away. Rogers made her move on the second ski leg, the final leg of the race.
She managed to force her way for the inside lane around the last can on the ski, in-front of Welborn, and picked up a great little wave to take a fantastic win after 40 odd minutes of frantic racing, where the 20 athletes went out and back through the swell 12 times.
Rogers was so tough to win round one of the series, which was the Coolangatta Gold marathon, just over a month ago. She adjusted so well to the enduro style and topped it off with the perfect ski leg.
“The plan was to conserve as much energy as I could in the first half and then pick it up and make my move in the second,” a thrilled Rogers said.
“I knew the girls were coming and I had to push it hard on that final ski leg and the surf gods where with me to get that final wave.
“I’ve been practising those skills on the ski and I trusted my gut and backed myself and it paid off.”
Rogers is now the woman to beat with the maximum of 40 points from two rounds. Miller is six points back after her two fourth place finishes.
Hancock is third with 33 points and McKenzie is fourth in the series with 32 points. Jemma Smith (Umina) who was second in the Coolangatta Gold couldn’t get near the lead today isn’t out of it with 30pts.
From the five races, series athletes get to drop their worst result.
See the full Round 2 results, and season standings here.