Trying to name all of American triathlete Laura Bennett's numerous accomplishments is a bit like trying to count individual snowflakes in a winter blizzard. Olympian, World Cup Champion, USAT Elite National Champion, World Triathlon Championship Medalist, Ironman 70.3 Champion, Triathlete of the Year, USA Today Athlete of the Week, U.S. Olympic Committee Athlete of the Week and Month, International Triathlon Union Best Swimmer, All-American Swimmer - all of these titles have preceded Laura's name, and many of them on more than one occasion. As fast as she is lean, Laura is hands down the most skilled short course female in the United States. In races that are often determined by heart-pounding sprint finishes, Laura outmatches her competition time and again, as evidenced at the prestigious 2007 Hy Vee Triathlon, where she burst past her nearest competitor to secure the richest payday by any female in triathlon history. But above all else, Laura's keen eye is focused on Olympic hardware. Her 4th place finish in Beijing - the highest for any American woman - left her yearning and determined to better her own performance and proudly fly her country's flag on the podium in London. Laura's husband Greg (the other half of Triathlon's Fittest Couple), a newly anointed U.S. citizen, trains by her side in their dual residences of Boulder, Colorado and Noosa, Australia. The couple intends to compete together on the 2012 U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team.
Laura by the Numbers
- 1 Laura's 2010 USAT ranking
- 1st Laura's finish at her debut half Ironman distance race (2009 Ironman 70.3 Augusta)
- 1 other Bennett with whom she shared the winner's podium (her husband, Greg)
- 5th Laura's finish at the 2009 Ironman 70.3 World Championship
- 1 time she had raced the 70.3 distance prior to placing top 5 at the World Championship
- 2 years Laura has reigned as USAT Elite National Champion (2003 & 2010)
- 4 times Laura has medaled at the World Triathlon Championships (2003, 2004, 2005, 2007)
- 11 World Cup medals to Laura's credit
- 4 number of above which were outright wins
- 28 top ten international race finishes
- 2 consecutive years Laura was named USAT's Female Triathlete of the Year (2006 & 2007)
- 8 times Laura was named an All-American swimmer at her alma mater, Southern Methodist University
- 5:00pm time at which Laura routinely goes to bed during the height of training
Laura's Promotional Appeal
- blonde-haired, blue-eyed all-American girl
- a fit & lean winning machine
- half of Triathlon's Fittest Couple
- world-renowned winner
- driven by the Olympic dream
- exceptionally photogenic
- kind-hearted
- clean-living
- a true sweetheart
