Erica Hawley admits she was left heartbroken after crashing out of her World Triathlon Championship Series Bermuda debut last weekend.

Relishing the opportunity to compete alongside compatriot and Olympic champion Dame Flora Duffy as part of a stellar elite women’s field on home soil, the 24-year-old looked to be seizing her moment after making an encouraging start to the race.

Having exited the water in 36th position after a strong 1500-metre swim, Hawley was making steady progress on the 40-kilometre bike course, finding herself comfortably within a second chase group.

However, while Duffy was riding at the front with the Netherlands’ Maya Kingma and laying the foundations for a brilliant victory, Hawley’s race unfortunately ended in disaster as she skidded out on the third of eight bike laps.

“Absolutely heartbroken to DNF in the WTCS Bermuda,” said Hawley, who revealed that she required medical treatment for road rash after the crash but thankfully avoided any major injuries.

“My initial feelings are of utter disappointment and thinking that I’ve missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete at home. I was really happy with the race up until the crash. Things were going good until a kiss with the pavement on the third lap.

“However, the love and support post-race has been absolutely amazing. Thank you everyone – family, friends and spectators for the kind messages and Bermudian love. I am so lucky and honoured to call Bermuda home. I’ll see you back out there soon.”

Hawley will not be afforded a lot of time to dwell on her disappointment, with the opportunity to get straight back into action at the upcoming Americas Triathlon Cup Viña del Mar, in Chile on Sunday.

“I’m seeing a physiotherapist and then hopefully I’ll be able to start the race in Chile this weekend,” Hawley added.

Despite the setback and if she given the all-clear to race this weekend, Hawley will be aiming to build on what has still been an encouraging year of performances, which included a first podium finish when finishing third in the elite women’s Continental Cup, a sixteenth-place finish at the Commonwealth Games and eighth at the Americas Championships in Montevideo, Uruguay, at the end of last month.