Triathlete Erica Hawley is expecting better things later in the year after achieving her highest finish at World Triathlon Championship Series level in Japan this weekend.

Hawley finished 28th in WTCS Yokahama on Saturday in just her second race of the season after finishing seventh at the Americas Triathlon Cup Miami in March. Despite a couple of recent setbacks, she feels there will soon be more to come.

“The start of the year has been average,” Hawley said.

“I haven’t put together any amazing performances, or any disasters, but I think that’s to be expected after time off after Paris and my goal has been to really build into the season.

“I’ve had a few minor setbacks leading in to this race but every athlete deals with this and it’s how to navigate it and be smart so I can still race. I have a lot of growth ahead of me and I think getting stronger in all three disciplines will help me be more durable.”

Hawley’s latest race in Yokohama took place in constant rain and she was pleased with how she tackled the difficult conditions.

“It was my first WTCS race of the year and it was definitely one to remember,” she said.

“I have raced at Yokohama in 2023 and both times it's been pouring rain and that definitely made for a dynamic race and a race of attrition.

“I had a good first lap of the swim and came out the water around 25th, but on diving in for the second lap I lost the feet and moved down a few spots.”

A dramatic bike leg, which featured Olympic champion Cassandre Beaugrand crashing out, provided some key learnings for Hawley as she competed in a leading group for the first time.

“The bike was incredibly challenging in the wet conditions and slick course but mostly everyone stayed upright,” she said.

“I was in the third bike pack and it took around 15 kilometres to get to the main group and that was the hardest 20 minutes on the bike I’ve ever done in a triathlon race. Once our group of five made it we became a group of around 30

“I have some learning to do as I remained at the back of the pack instead of moving to the front and was wasting a lot of energy in the corners having to slow down and accelerate.

“It was a new position for me to be in as it’s my first time being in a lead pack at WTCS level and it was intimidating being with the top-level athletes. I started the run completely zapped and it was survival, but on reflection I’m happy.”

Hawley senses improvement will come with consistent competition at the highest level and she is looking forward to the next few months.

“This was my best WTCS result and my goal this year is to get experience at this level,” Hawley said.

“It’s a truly different racing experience to a World Cup and the only way to improve is to race at this level.

“I’m heading to Colombia to race in the America Triathlon Championships on June 4 so that’s my next race.

“I’m trying to target a few WTCS races this year, including the grand final, as that’s the best way for me to learn, and I will sprinkle in a few world cups around them.”