Cyra Bender has earned her place in the 2026 Shaw and Partners Iron Series after a hot and hectic weekend of racing at Tugun, which saw nearly 200 athletes fight it out over six rounds for 21 spots in this summer's professional ironwoman and ironman series.
Renowned for her swimming ability, the Bond University alumna proved she’s no one-trick pony, using her newly developed ski speed to stay at the pointy end of the field throughout the weekend.
It will be Bender’s second year on the professional circuit, but her first with an uninterrupted preparation after a lower-leg stress fracture hampered her debut series last year.
“I don't think it has really sunk in yet,” Bender said after qualifying.
“Qualifying for the series was definitely one of my main goals for the season, so to have ticked that one off the list is such a relief.
“I’m so excited to be back in the series and able to race against such a fierce and competitive field of women for another year.
“While it was still a gruelling six races, having an uninterrupted preparation definitely held me in good stead.”
Bender was the sole qualifier from a quartet of Bondies who took to the start line at Tugun.
Bachelor of International Relations/Laws student Millie Derbyshire went agonisingly close to securing a series berth, progressing to Sunday’s top-30 final before narrowly missing the cut of 21 athletes who will contest the four-event series.
On the men’s side, Bachelor of Business student Noah Maggs looked lightning-fast on Saturday morning, but one costly race in the afternoon was enough to end his bid for a place in Sunday’s action.
Alumnus Archie Vernon showcased his ski paddling prowess through the early rounds, but like Maggs, his campaign came to an end on Saturday.
Bender won’t have long to savour the achievement, with the Coolangatta Gold — which doubles as the opening round of the series — just a few weeks away.
She’ll be in good company, with Bond alumni Joe Collins and Cory Taylor joining her in the series after earning automatic qualification through their performances last season.
The Bond contingent will take on the country’s best surf sports athletes in one of Australia’s most iconic endurance races, the Coolangatta Gold, on October 17 at Coolangatta Beach.