Erica Hawley is focusing on the positives after finishing 28th in the women’s elite field at the World Triathlon Championship Series French Riviera on Sunday.

In her second WTCS competition of the year, the Olympian clocked 1hr 0min 1sec in the 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike and 5km run. She indicated that while at first she was not pleased with the result, she is taking it as part of her experience.

“This is my second WTCS event of the year and it was another really important learning experience,” she said. “I was initially very critical of my result, but there were many positives I could take away.

“After racing in Canada in July, I took a mid-season break and only really had three weeks build into this event, so it was more of a benchmark race.

“I wanted to see where my areas of weakness were, and get information for the rest of the year. The seconds matter so much at this level and a few mistakes cost me a lot.

“I was still proud of myself for running hard and putting a solid time on the board.”

The Bermudian is back in Boulder, Colorado, preparing for the World Championships in Wollongong, Australia, next month. It was in Australia last year where Hawley produced one of her career-best performances to finish fifth in the World Triathlon Cup Wollongong.

“I have now returned to Boulder for a six-week week build-up ahead of the World Championships in Wollongong,” the 27-year-old said.

“This has been a goal of mine for the year and I know what to focus on during this training block.

“I have really good memories of racing in Wollongong last year; it was one of the events that really solidified my Olympic qualification.”