Nutri-Grain ironwoman Bondi: Lana Rogers back in winners circle after almost quitting sport

One of Australia’s best ironwoman has revealed she almost quit the sport due to a recent failure after returning to the winners circle in the Nutri-Grain ironwoman series at Bondi.

She was almost untouchable in the last Nutri-Grain ironwoman series but Lana Rogers has admitted her failure to finish the famous Coolangatta Gold endurance race almost saw her hanging up her togs.

Rogers on Saturday claimed the second round of the Nutri-Grain iron surf series at Bondi, a beach she raced junior events at when a young surf life saver at Cronulla but has never won on a an adult.

But after finishing the race - a new format which saw her race four times including in the four-woman finale - Rogers said she had wanted to quit the sport after failing to finish the Coolangatta Gold in October.

BUMPER PHOTO GALLERY FROM RD 1-2

Lana Rogers on her way to winning the second round of the Nutri-Grain series.

“I felt like I had failed myself,’’ said Rogers, now competing for the Alex Headland club on the Sunshine Coast.

“I didn’t have the urge to continue with it.’’

Rogers said her coach and family rallied around to provide the support she needed to return to training and racing.

“I went back to training and realised I did miss it,’’ she said.

Rogers beat Harriet Brown, Hannah Sculley and Danielle McKenzie, all from Northcliff, for the race honours in round two on Saturday in small surf.

Rogers and Brown now lead the series overall heading into the third round at North Bondi on Sunday which will see competition race a survivor format where the last six athletes in two races are eliminated to leave a final field of eight.

Newport’s Lizzie Welborn, one of the pre-event favourites, failed to make it out of the seeding race on Saturday in a major blow to her campaign to win the 2022 series.

Lana Rogers winning the second round of the Nutri-Grain series.

HAPPY DAYS FOR HARRIET BROWN AND ROOKIE

Veteran ironwoman Harriet Brown described her return to major racing after surgery and a long lay-off as “unreal’’.

Teenager Bella Williams used exactly the same word to sum up her first ever race in the Nutri-Grain professional ironwoman series.

Separated by 11 years in age and experience, Brown and Williams were also 12 places apart as the six-round series kicked of at North Bondi. But they were similarity elated.

BLOOD, SWEAT AND CHEERS IN IRONMAN

Nutri-Grain ironwoman Bondi: Harriet Brown winning round one on return from injury

“It was hard but this is so good,’’ Brown, who is based on the Gold Coast with the Northcliffe club, said after the 40 minute race involving multiple legs of swimming, board paddling, ski racing and running over an M-shape course.

Brown, originally from Victoria, has been hindered by injury in recent times and missed the last round of the series in 2020/21 due to an ankle issue which later required surgery.

“There was eight weeks of non weight bearing, five to six months of recovery,’’ she said.

“I’ve had so many injuries that when I do win I try and savour the moment. It’s unreal.’’

Nutri-Grain ironwoman round one winner Harriet Brown.

Williams from the Belmont Swansea club near Newcastle, was savouring the moment of her debut which came unexpectedly when one of the series favourites, Georgia Miller, was forced out with a heart issue.

“I think the right word for me is one I don’t use very often, is exhilarating,’’ said the teenager who impressed with her racing at North Bondi.

“It was unreal. I’ve been dreaming of this forever.’’

Bella Williams in her debut in the Nutri-Grain series at Bondi.

Brown took round one honours from defending series champion Lana Rogers and fellow Queenslander Hannah Sculley.

Sydney ironwoman Lizzie Welborn from the Newport club finished fourth after fighting her way back from near last early in the race.

“We were all racing for second,’’ said Welborn, who praised good friend Brown for her victory.

“I didn’t have the best swim. It always takes me a while to warm up. It took me a while to click into gear,’’

The competition continues on Saturday and Sunday at North Bondi with round two and three of the 2022 series.

The final three rounds will be race in Sydney next month.

The series will be followed by state championships and then the Australian surf life saving championships on the Gold Coast in April.

IRONWOMAN TOP 10

1. BROWN, Harriet, 2. ROGERS, Lana, 3. SCULLEY, Hannah, 4. WELBORN, Lizzie, 5. COOPER, Brielle, 6. MCKENZIE, Danielle, 7. HANCOCK, Courtney, 8. SCOTT, Naomi, 9. DERBYSHIRE, Lucy, 10. BULL, Ali,

Originally published as Nutri-Grain ironwoman Bondi: Lana Rogers back in winners circle after almost quitting sport