Erica Hawley enjoyed the ideal preparation for the Commonwealth Games after achieving her first podium finish in the elite women’s Continental Cup.

Competing in the Americas Triathlon Cup Long Beach in California, the 22-year-old, who is part of the Bermuda squad for the Games in Birmingham, England, got herself among the medals after finishing third.

Among the 46-athlete field, the Bermudian exited the water from the 750-metre swim in 10min 12sec, clocked 30:52 on the 20-kilometre bike course and completed the 5km run in 17:14 for a total combined time of 1hr 0min 26sec.

Gina Sereno, of the United States, claimed victory in 1:00:08, pipping Jimena De La Pena Schott, of Mexico, (1:00:10) in a sprint finish.

“First elite Continental Cup podium today. Lots to be happy about. Two weeks until the big one [Commonwealth Games],” Hawley wrote in a post on Instagram.