Erica Hawley will have some happy memories to buoy her on the 15hr trip home to Colorado from Japan.

The Bermudian triathlete has received a boost in confidence after achieving her best finish in a World Triathlon Challenge Series in Yokohama at the weekend

Hawley finished 23rd after completing the 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride and 10km swim in 1hr 54min 14sec, more than a minute quicker and five places better than in the same event over the same course last year.

The performance pleased Hawley and could feel the improvement from a serious training block during the race.

“I’m really pleased with my result, which is my best in WTCS,” she said.

“More importantly, I felt like I put together a really solid swim/bike/run and was really in the race. Last year it rained the whole time, so I was especially happy to race the course on a beautiful day in Japan.

“I was somewhat surprised that the swim didn’t spread out more and I was less than 20 seconds from the lead swimmer. I’ve been focusing a lot more on the swim and have been training with a group the last few months, so it was great to be in contact with the group.

“I felt strong on the bike and I felt like I was in control, assertive and that was the first time I’ve felt that way in a WTCS race. I ran quicker than last year and was able to hold on for 23rd. I know that the top girls are running insanely fast right now so I think the focus will be on getting more run volume in, and slowly chipping away at the 10km distance.”

The result carries extra significance with the qualification process for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics opening on Monday, and Hawley is happy to be entering the important period in good form.

“I am next racing in Huatulco, Mexico on June 14, so my plan is to head back to Boulder and to get straight into focusing on that race,” she said.

“It will be my first in the Olympic qualification window so it’s important. It’s notorious for being one of the hottest races on the circuit but at least it’s only a sprint distance.”