Cyra Bender has lived both sides of the Iron Series dream – the heartbreak of watching it slip away, and the elation of finally making it her own.
Twelve months ago the Bond University Bachelor of Biomedicine student was just moments from qualifying for the surf sports competition when disaster struck: a knee dislocation in the final leg cruelly ended her campaign and shattered a childhood dream.
Last weekend at Tugun the 19-year-old erased 12 months of pain and achieved a lifelong dream in the process by storming through six races over various distances across two gruelling days to finish 7th overall and book her place in the 2025 Shaw and Partners Iron Series.
The iconic fluoro pink Iron Series swimmers she’s coveted since her days as a nipper are now hers.
She had one hand on a pair in 2024 when she advanced through the trials on the Saturday only to suffer the injury on her final qualifying race on the Sunday.
“It was terrible. I’ve had a history of injuries, but I thought I was over it,” Bender said.
“I did all the hard work, I had the taste of it and to not even get to finish, it was horrible.”
This time there was no stopping the coming-of-age story for the Gold Coast girl who started nippers at Northcliffe in under 6s and has stayed loyal to the club which has produced much of surf sport’s royalty.
Competitors had to race a gruelling three ironman races on the Saturday to qualify for the Sunday, when they had to race another three races and finish in the top 15 to make the final series.
“My performance on the Saturday was actually really good. I was happy with it and it gave me a lot of confidence going into the Sunday,” Bender said.
“Obviously being the first race of the season, you're not really sure where you stand.
“It’s my first season in the open age group this year, so it was good to see where I was sitting and if I was in contention.”
Bender had a stunning Sunday which saw her finish first in the mid-length Ironman, her favourite distance of the three races.
“The Sunday went well; I enjoy the shorter races more. I wanted to get through the enduro race in a comfortable position where I was still in contention, and then focus more on the second and third race,” Bender said.
Bender will join fellow Bull Shark, 2025 ADCO Scholar Jasmine Raywood, who will compete in her second series this year.
“Making the series honestly means so much to me,” Bender said.
“It's the pinnacle of my sport. I train with so many of the girls who are already in the series at Northcliffe and they're amazing.
“I’m excited to race alongside them. Obviously it's a bit daunting, but I can’t wait to see what it's all about.”
The Shaw and Partners Iron Series kicks off with the Coolangatta Gold on October 18.