Video: Interview With Erica Hawley
Erica Hawley says she will feel like she “belongs” when she takes to the start line on the River Seine for the women’s triathlon at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Hawley left no stone unturned in her quest to qualify for her first Olympics, which involved a punishing race schedule, competing in multiple continents pursuing precious ranking points.
It all paid off, though, with Hawley punching her ticket to Paris as the final athlete to qualify on Olympic rankings.
The 26-year-old said she hopes to execute a swim, bike, and run she can be proud of as she prepares for the biggest race of her life on July 31.
“I try not to set goals in terms of placements – it’s more about the process,” Hawley told top local cyclist Dominique Mayho, who interviewed her on behalf of Bernews ‘The Best Interview the Best’ series.
“That’s the most important thing. The pressure is off a bit. Intrinsically, the pressure was to qualify for the Olympics. I coped with that pressure well.
“It’s super-exciting; it’s a great opportunity, and I’ve probably raced against everyone on that start list.
“I want to execute a race I’m proud of. Believing I belong there is part of that equation.”
It was during a long-haul flight from Cagliari, Italy, to Colorado, the United States, after competing in a World Triathlon Championship Series race when Hawley learned she had qualified for Paris.
She remembers her Instagram account “blowing up” after the Bermuda Olympic Association [BOA] announced her qualification on social media.
“I finished the race in Cagliari and had done the math and was like, ‘I know I’ve qualified,’ but couldn’t feel confident until I’d seen the official start list.
“I couldn’t really celebrate. I was a bit in limbo.
“I was actually on my flight heading to Colorado, when my mom and Katura [Horton-Perinchief, the BOA chef de mission] messaged me, ‘You’re going!’
“I was on a United Airlines flight, and you get free messaging but no Wi-Fi, so I couldn’t message.
“NOC Bermuda posted on social media and my Instagram blew up, but I couldn’t get on Instagram.
“I had to wait like two hours for the plane to land. It was funny. I was in my seat feeling emotional! I was like, ‘Oh my gosh.’
“I had a short connection to my next flight, so I was trying to message everyone!”
Last summer proved a turning point in Hawley’s career, breaking new ground with her first professional win at the Americas Triathlon Cup in Montreal, pocketing $1,500 in prize money.
She followed up with her first podium finish at the World Triathlon Cup Yeongdo, South Korea, before coming fourth at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.
“Once you have that one good race, you start to believe,” Hawley said.
“My first podium was the biggest eye-opening experience. I’ve since approached every World Cup race like, ‘Oh, I belong. I can podium.’”
“Finishing fourth at the Pan Ams gave me confidence and belief that things are really working. It made a difference.”
Hawley, who has headed to a satellite town near Paris to train with team-mates Dame Flora Duffy and Tyler Smith to prepare for the Games, said she is thankful her event is scheduled several days after the opening ceremony so she can attend the curtain raiser.
“This year is an exception because the triathlons are usually a few days after the opening ceremony,” Hawley said.
“I probably wouldn’t [attend the opening ceremony] in that scenario, but with the triathlons held a few days later, I’ll take advantage of the opportunity!”
Bernews will be providing comprehensive coverage of Bermuda’s athletes in the coming weeks, thanks to our sponsors Butterfield & Vallis, Auto Solutions, Clarien Bank and One Communications, and this video is part of our ‘Best interview the Best’ video series, which will be highlighting all of the athletes set to take part in the Olympics and Paralympics.
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Go Erica! Best wishes for your success.