📷 Ashleigh Ellis / AE Photography
When Laura Beanland-Stephens broke the tape at last weekend’s Fireco Kai Iwi Lakes Triathlon, it wasn’t just about winning – it was a reminder of how far she’s come in the sport thanks to fun, grassroots events like Northland’s only triathlon.
Just six years after setting herself the challenge of completing a half ironman with a group of girlfriends, the Auckland 29-year-old was racing Kai Iwi Lakes as a stress free stepping stone towards June’s World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Spain.
Pontevedra will be Beanland-Stephens’ third age group world champs tilt having previously finished 17th at the 2023 Ironman Worlds in fabled Kona and 20th at last December’s 70.3 worlds in Taupo, both in the 25-29 category.
The camp cum racing weekend at Kai Iwi Lakes (35km north of Dargaville) was a fun way to cap the end of the New Zealand summer. She won the 700m swim, 20km bike, 8.5km run in 1:22:54, nearly a minute clear of Whangarei’s Tahlia Spink (1:25:37) while Tauranga’s Aleisha Williams (1:26:38) rounded out the women’s podium.
It was quite nice being a very close 2nd in her tent too; Beanland-Stephens’ was 7th overall, not too far behind partner Billy Bowman (1:16:34) who was third in the men’s race behind Tri NZ junior Jett Curteis (1:13:54/ Auckland City Triathlon Club) and Tri NZ staffer Peter Kadar (1:16:19). Together, Beanland-Stephens’, Kadar and Bowman (pictured below) spearheaded North Harbour Triathlon Club to ‘Battle of the North’ glory, helping relieve Whangarei Triathlon Club of the now coveted shield.
“I’ve been up there the last three years. The first time I just watched, last year I raced, and this year… yeah, had a great time,” Beanland-Stephens’ said of her win.
“It’s such a nice grassroots event – you’ve got the kids there, try-a-tri, short course, long course. Even though the long course is pretty short compared to what I usually race, it’s just awesome.”
Late Start, Rapid Rise
Before we get to Beanland-Stephens’ long distance achievements, it’s worthwhile exploring the Surf Lifesaving New Zealand SurfCom manager’s entry into the sport. It’s a case study in how you don’t need to be a child prodigy to benefit from all the health, companionship and travel benefits that come standard with competing in swim, bike and run … at any level.
“I grew up doing athletics and hockey and a lot of dancing, with a bit of cross country,” she recalls. “But I didn’t really start doing triathlon until 2019. It was purely a challenge to try and do a Half Ironman. Me and a couple of friends got into it… did one race, then another, then all of a sudden signed up for a full Ironman.”
That full Ironman was supposed to be a bucket list tick. Instead, it unlocked something deeper.
“I was like, ‘Is this the only one, or have I got the bug?’ And I definitely got the bug.”
Since then, Beanland-Stephens has notched five full and multiple half distance finishes, including the holy grail: the Ironman World Championships in Kona.
But even that couldn’t match the magic of racing a World Championship at home.
“It was amazing. Like, you know, Kona was incredible because it’s Kona,” she says. “But the fact that we had a world champs at home [in Taupō last December] was a totally different vibe – because you have all your people there, and it just makes it even more special.”
Tri NZ Suzuki Series goodness
Beanland-Stephens qualified for Pontevedra courtesy of finishing 3rd behind Danielle Donaldson and Eve Sealy in the open category at January’s Tauranga Half, part of the Tri NZ Suzuki Series. She hailed being able to start with the Pro women in Tauranga’s special open grade.
“I just think it’s such an awesome initiative from that race. We don’t have a huge amount of professional women and they’re such amazing athletes. To actually have the opportunity to line up with them – and also get out of the age-group masses – it just makes it a much more honest race.
“Historically, racing in Tauranga, as a younger woman, we were starting right at the back of the swim wave. You get stuck in the bunches of the non-drafting ride, which is pretty hard to navigate. But with the Open category, you’re out front, and it’s a true time trial.”
Next Stop: Pontevedra
Pontevedra will be a new challenge – and a new distance. Beanland-Stephens will at least have a reference before her race; Bowman claimed bronze in the 25-29 age group at last year’s equivalent in Townsville.
“I want to have a really good hit-out there,” she says of Pontevedra. “It’s that long course: 3k swim, 120k bike, 30k run. I’m really curious to see how that lands because I think that would be kind of an interesting distance and then yeah, I might just see how things go.
“I’m also looking forward to the team aspect as well. The fact that you’re wearing the black suit and silver fern, it just gives it another layer.”
Beyond that? The goals are clear. “I’d really love to get under 10 hours for an Ironman one day. That would probably be the main goal.”
