Lucy Hall still a winner despite Hering’s ‘dagger to the heart’

Jackie Hering may have delivered “a dagger to the heart” of Lucy Hall at CLASH Daytona, but the British star still came away with plenty of reason to be happy after her fine second place.

Lucy rounded off a gruelling but successful season by again showing terrific consistency to lead for just about every step of the 100km distance in Florida.

She was caught and passed late on the run by the American, but her second place also saw her finish third in the Challenge Family season rankings – netting her a $14k bonus on top of Saturday’s $10,500 prize money.

Afterwards Lucy, who said she had a “slightly rocky prep” coming into the final race of her season, admitted she didn’t feel great during the event either. No wonder then that second place surpassed her expectations.

Lucy Hall Daytona debrief

“It was tough, because actually on the bike my watts were terrible, I felt awful,” said the 29-year-old.

“Even in the water I didn’t feel great, and I just thought ‘oh maybe I’ll get into it, maybe I’ll feel better on the run’. And I did for about two laps, but then I started to overheat a bit.

“Luckily I managed to get a really cold bottle of water and cool down a bit and just try to like stay relaxed and stick to my plan, which was to hold a 3:55k pace. But Jackie was just coming so quick and I was really dying in those last 2k.

“So when she came past me it was a bit like yeah, a dagger in the heart, but at the same time I’m just super-happy where I’ve come, and this year as well especially.”

Hall has enjoyed a terrific 2021, including wins at The Championship in Samorin, Challenge Budva in Montenegro and IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia. On top of that she added a string of further podium finishes to top off a stellar season.

Racing from the front

Saturday again showed her racing in typical style, from the front after a trademark swim built an early lead. That strategy might not be easy to execute, but it is something Hall enjoys.

“I think psychologically it’s quite tough riding from the front from the get-go, especially if you don’t feel great. I just kind of got used to racing that way.

“That’s kind of just how I race and I don’t think I’ll change it because I enjoy it. I really do enjoy even though I’m getting chased – I do enjoy the atmosphere.

“The crowd were so good today, coming down this back straight kept me sort of in tune with the pace I needed to keep. So I have to say thanks to the crowd today – they were great.”