ROGERS AND CASAMENTO FIRST TRIALLIST THROUGH TO SHAW AND PARTNERS IRON SERIES
Lana Rogers (Northcliffe) and Brayden Casamento (Alexandra Headland) are the first triallists to book their spot in the 2026-2027 Shaw and Partners Iron Series.
The duo finished top of the ladder in today’s Trial, presented by Race One Surf Craft, after three back to back races.
It was the first time trialling for Rogers, the three time Ironwoman Series Champion relishing the opportunity to fight for her spot in the Series.
After taking time during the off season to reset, Rogers came out firing today winning three from three races.
“That was the ultimate goal to just get back into the Series and get my life as an athlete back on track.
“I wanted that grit and grind to want to do the Series again, and how special it is to me – I really had to remember that. I’m just really excited to get back in the Series and to do this for the first time [the trial] and get it on the first day,” said Rogers.
Going into the final enduro race, Rogers and reigning Coolangatta Gold Champion Electra Outram, were tied on top of the ladder. Both ladies pushed each other throughout, with Outram heading into the final ski leg with a narrow lead.
But Rogers managed to chase her down and they were neck and neck paddling home, only for Rogers to get a better line to shore and was on her feet first to take the win.
In the Ironman, Cassemento needed the win in the brutal enduro race to secure his spot in the Series.
Largely leading throughout, the Alexandra Headline Ironman surprised himself by getting the one Ironman spot on offer today.
“It’s a big relief not having to come back tomorrow, I think Sunday is the hardest day in the calendar so to skip that is a relief for sure.
“I came into today not thinking I’d get the win but just worried if I could get through to Sunday. I prep even previous years hasn’t been the greatest so to come away with the win… very happy,” he said.
Some of the biggest threats for Cassemento came from his fellow Alex teammates including Henry Simpson and Cooper Woods.
After a big day of racing, the top 30 Ironwomen and Ironmen will line up in Sunday’s Shaw and Partners Iron Series Trial, presented by Race One Surf Craft. The action gets underway from 8am AEST and will be live on YouTube ironseries.com.au/iron-tv/
For full results – https://liveheats.com/events/505772