Ahuriri Beach on New Zealand's North Island played host to the opening event of the 2025 World Triathlon Cup season, with 27 elite women, including Bermuda's Erica Hawley, taking to the start line. The sprint-distance race (750m swim/20km bike/5km run) promised an exciting contest, and it didn't disappoint.
The swim leg saw Australia’s Zoe Clarke, Emma Jeffcoat, Canada’s Desirae Ridenour, and New Zealand’s Ainsley Thorpe emerge as the leaders, showcasing their prowess in the water. These four athletes led the charge into the first transition.
A chase pack formed on the bike leg, featuring a number of top contenders, including Italy’s Verena Steinhauser and Illaria Zane, USA’s Erika Ackerlund, and Hawley. However, they were unable to match the pace of the leaders, losing ground with each lap.
The final transition saw Jeffcoat, Ridenour, and Thorpe still together, setting up a thrilling battle for the win. All three sensed the opportunity to claim the first World Cup victory of the season.
Ultimately, it was Ridenour who seized the moment, crossing the finish line first. Hawley put in a commendable performance, finishing ninth with a time of 57:26, just 1 minute and 2 seconds behind Ridenour. Her split times were 9:51 for the swim, 29:24 for the bike, and 17:13 for the run. Hawley's top-10 finish marks a strong start to her 2025 World Cup campaign.
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