Erica Hawley Looks Forward To Racing At Home
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Erica Hawley intends to make the most of her “once in a lifetime” opportunity when she competes at the World Triathlon Championship Series Bermuda on Sunday.
Hawley will be in action on home soil at the elite level for the first time and hopes the local crowd, expected to line the streets of Hamilton, can help propel her to a strong performance.
“This means so much to me,” Hawley told Bernews. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to race at home in front of your entire country.
“I will try and soak up the entire experience. Not only will my family and friends be at the race, but teachers, coaches and peers will be watching. I hope the home-crowd advantage plays a part in my race!”
The 24-year-old will line up alongside hometown favourite Dame Flora Duffy in the elite women’s field and said she continues to be inspired by the Olympic champion.
Hawley joined Duffy, Tyler Smith, who will race in the men’s elite field, and Tyler Butterfield in Bermuda’s mixed relay team at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in August, finishing seventh.
“Flora is a huge inspiration to all of Bermuda,” Hawley said. “It’s always a bit scary racing against her since she’s the best in the world.
“It’s an honour, and I feel like I share part of her success by representing Bermuda as well.”
Although Hawley has already experienced the elite level, finishing 42nd on her ITU World Triathlon Series debut in Edmonton, Canada, in 2018, a sprint-distance race, the WTCS Bermuda will be her first at the longer Olympic distance.
“I haven’t done many Olympic-distances races, and it’s a big step up at this level,” she said.
“I’ve mostly been targeting World Cups this year, but the opportunity to race in Bermuda with the best field in the world will be a great challenge.”
Hawley warmed up for the race with an impressive eighth-place finish at the Americas Championships in Montevideo, Uruguay, last weekend.
“I’m happy with my performance in Uruguay, although I’m a bit sore!” she added.
“I got a lot of points, which was the plan, and I put together a solid race. This week is about recovering and prepping for another Olympic-distance race here.”
