Duffy hoping for better fortunes in Glasgow
Flora Duffy believes that a podium finish in the triathlon could be within her grasp in Glasgow providing Lady Luck smiles more sweetly upon her than when she last competed at a major Games.
Duffy, who will be the first Bermuda athlete in action at the Commonwealth Games with her race starting at 7am Bermuda time, suffered heartache at the London Olympics two years ago after crashing in front of Buckingham Palace early into the bike leg of the race.
She was leading the chase group when disaster struck and then endured more misery soon after picking herself off the tarmac, having to fix a wheel on her battered bike before she had even finished the first lap.
“I think I had enough bad luck at that [London] Games for one lifetime,” said Duffy, who decided against attending yesterday’s opening ceremony to prepare for her race this morning at Strathclyde Country Park. “It was a shame to miss the opening ceremony, but I came here to race. This is my fifth major Games, so I have done my fair share of opening ceremonies.”
The 26-year-old has enjoyed a superb first full-time season as a professional triathlete, with some strong finishes in the ITU World Series as well as dominating the Xterra Series.
But she admits that she will need a “perfect race” to force her way into the medal reckoning in Glasgow. “I think a top-ten is more realistic and a top-five on a great day, although you never know what could happen on race day,” said Duffy, who finished a remarkable eighth as an 18-year-old at the 2006 Games in Melbourne.
“A medal in Glasgow would be a dream and not an unrealistic one, but it would take the perfect race from me and for the race dynamic to play to my strengths.
“I’m in good form at the moment so if I can execute a perfect race I will be very happy, regardless of my race position.”
Duffy is confident of carrying her momentum from the season’s racing into today’s event and believes she had benefited from being able to focus fully on competing without distractions.
“My first season as a full-time athlete has been a very successful one,” she said. “Before I was balancing university, training and racing, and it’s a lot different now that I’m just training.
“All of my energy and focus goes into my training, recovery and nutrition. It’s making a huge difference, which is showing in my results.
“I’m excited to compete in Glasgow; it’s a hard, hilly course, which is great for me and I really enjoy representing Bermuda.”
Tyler Butterfield, Tucker Murphy and Jonathan Herring will compete in today’s men’s triathlon, which starts four hours after Duffy’s race.
BERMUDA’S VENUES
ATHLETICS
Hampden Park: The home of Scottish football has been transformed — for a cost of £14 million — to become the track and field centrepiece. The stadium will also host the closing ceremony.
Athletes: Tyrone Smith, Arantxa King, Shianne Smith, Shaquille Dill and Aaron Evans.
Dates of competition: July 25 to 29.
***
CYCLING
Glasgow city centre: The time-trial will start and finish at Glasgow Green with a single loop course taking in the countryside of East Dunbartonshire and North Lanarkshire as well as the East End.
The road race course, also starting in Glasgow Green, features a 14km circuit through the city centre before carrying on to the West End, through Kelvingrove Park, before heading back towards the city centre.
Athletes: Dominique Mayho and Nicole Mitchell
Dates of competition: time-trial, July 31; road race, August 3.
***
GYMNASTICS
Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre: Built in 1985 a cost of £36 million, the SECC will host six sports.
Athlete: Gemma Lightbourne
Dates of competition: July 25 and 26
***
SQUASH
Scotstoun Sports Campus: Located in the west of Glasgow city centre, on the north River Clyde, the centre will host the squash and table tennis.
Athletes: Micah Franklin, Robert Maycock, Nick Kyme.
Dates of competition: July 27 to August 3.
***
SWIMMING
Tollcross International Swimming Centre: Refurbished at a cost of £14 million last year, the centre is located on the north bank of the River Clyde.
Athletes: Roy-Allan Burch and Julian Fletcher.
Dates of competition: July 24 to 29.
***
TRIATHLON
Strathclyde Country Park: The 4km² park, centered on the artificial Strathclyde Lock, will host the triathlon event. Strathclyde Loch will be used for swimming, with the cycling and running stages taking place along the surrounding roads and pathways.
Bermuda’s athletes: Tyler Butterfield, Tucker Murphy, Jonathan Herring and Flora Duffy.
Dates of competition: July 24 and 26.
