Erica Hawley is starting to believe that she belongs among the top level of triathlon as she continues to chase her dream of qualifying for the Paris Olympics.

After a tentative start to 2023, Hawley enjoyed a breakthrough year including a first professional victory in the Americas Triathlon Cup in Montreal, a third in a World Triathlon Cup race in South Korea and fourth in the Pan American Games in Chile.

While encouraged with improvements in her performances, it was the breaking of mental barriers that proved most important to the 25-year-old.

“At the start of the season it definitely felt like I had some breakthrough performances, but then it was even more pleasing to be able to be consistent with my finishes,” said Hawley.

“It meant that it wasn’t just a one-off performance here and there, but more just the level I was at and the ability that I have.

“Having that belief that I can compete at that level is massive. Even after getting that win in Montreal I still had that nagging feeling of was it because the field was weaker than normal?

“I still didn’t feel completely confident that it was an indication of where I was at, but finishing inside the top ten at the World Cup event in Chile against some Olympic medal-winners and world champions really gave me a boost.

“It was really reassuring to see that even with that level of competition I was still able to be competitive which was fantastic.

“I was really happy with last season and that has definitely given me a lot of confidence.”

Like all her counterparts in the professional ranks, Hawley’s attention is firmly set on battling to secure one of 110 places at the Olympic Games in Paris this year.

As things stand Hawley is 65th in the World Triathlon individual Olympic rankings, which gives her hope of earning one of two places per gender available to each National Olympic Committee after the cut-off period of May 27.

“I’m where I wanted to be at this stage of the year and I’m still in the Olympic qualification simulation as it is,” added Hawley, who has been training in Bermuda in advance of the Oceania Triathlon Cup Wanaka in New Zealand on February 16.

“There are still five or so months for things to change, but I will get more of an idea of my chances as each races comes.

“I’m due to race in February in New Zealand and so I want to be at the level I finished last year.”