If there’s one simple message that can be taken from the women’s Longest Day in recent years, it’s that age is no barrier. Simone Maier and Elina Ussher are both on the wrong side of 40, yet neither is showing any signs of slowing down and are still smashing out super impressive times. Perhaps a little demoralising for the chasers, but then they know what level they need to rise to if they want to step onto the top spot on the podium. And reaching that level seems tantalisingly close for Christchurch-based Physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor Fiona Dowling.

The Kilkenny-born multisporter won the two-day race in 2014 and has gone on to finish third in the one-day race on four separate occasions! With a recent third place in the Motu Challenge, she probably almost has enough bronze to build a replica model of Dublin’s Molly Molone statue!

Schooled in Kilkenny, Fiona Dowling headed university in Dublin before coming to New Zealand in her early/mid-twenties. An active childhood didn’t include stomping around in the mountains or going down rivers. “I did a lot of horse riding and show jumping. I guess all those other outdoor things were pretty new to me when I came to New Zealand”.

What drew the physiotherapy graduate to this part of the world? “I knew I wanted to work overseas, explore and work somewhere different. New Zealand was a good place to come and work as a physiotherapist – they were looking for physios from Ireland and England in the year before I graduated.”

The move into multisport was gradual, with fitness having been neglected as she buried her head in the books. Shortly before the move down under, Dowling started running and entering local sprint-distance triathlons. “After a bit of time spent travelling, I arrived here and involved myself in running as a way to meet people. I met a few multisporter and the off-road running appealed.”

Surprisingly, given her strength in the boat, kayaking was the last of the three disciplines she picked up. “Over the years, it’s become more of my strength, with no particular reason for that. It takes a few years to get stronger if you don’t come from a water sports background, but I’ve always found the balance side of things ok.”

Fi Dowling’s first visit to the Coast to Coast was in 2014, and it made people sit up and take notice as she crossed the line first in the two-day race. “I had limited experience and had no expectations. Even though the kayaking went quite well, I was fairly nervous. At the same time, I knew I’d trained pretty hard.” Even though she was living in Wellington at the time, then coach Michael Jacques had a long association with the race and was able to prepare her accordingly.

A seventh place in her Longest Day debut followed in 2015. Most weekend warriors would be thrilled with that effort, but the analytical Irish woman saw things differently: “I felt very green the first time in the Longest Day, and it was a big learning curve.”

Flying Fi’s first podium followed in 2016, and her times steadily improved, with finishes just a shade over 13 hours in the three years from 2019 to 2021. “I guess I feel like I’m making progress each year. Initially, I was a long time off first and second places, but the races are tighter now.”

Of course, 2022 was a disappointment for so many, with the two-day race being canned and the weather forcing a major rejig for the Longest Day. Fiona Dowling had mixed feelings on her day, which finished with another third place. “We all go to race the regular course, but you can’t control the weather. I certainly would’ve liked a longer kayak section. But I was in a good position in the run compared to previous years, and I suppose I was happy with the longer ride in the end.”

Looking ahead to 2023, Fi Dowling has a dream of what the perfect day would look like. “I believe I can still make gains overall on the course. A perfect day would have low flows on the run and in the kayak… A dry, hot summer! Actually, an 8am or 9am start would suit the body clock better, but I don’t think I can twist Race Director Glen Currie’s arm on that one”.

Fiona Dowling will be just shy of her 36th birthday on race day and her best years are ahead. Like so many others, one of the biggest challenges will be juggling her professional life with her sporting career. Her cherished Pilates business funds her Multisport pursuits.

Dowling’s family back in Ireland are fascinated by and supportive of her sporting endeavours. “My Mum and sister have been out here for a race in the past. There’s nothing similar in Ireland, so it’s a bit of a novelty”.

For the record, Fi Dowling doesn’t drink Kilkenny. “I don’t even like Guinness either. People think that’s why I live here now – I’ve been banished from Ireland. I’m not a beer or lager girl!”