Flora Duffy is OUT of World Triathlon Bermuda 2019

“I am devastated”

Two-time ITU World Champion unable to start her ‘home’ race

With just two weeks to go until the second edition of the ITU World Triathlon Bermuda (https://bermuda.triathlon.org), the athlete who in many ways is the reason for its appearance on the top tier of ITU racing has confirmed that she will not be able to start.

ITU World Champion in both 206 and 2017, Flora Duffy produced a devastating performance 12 months ago to thrill her adoring Bermudian fans – but injury will deprive her of the opportunity to do that this year.

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I sound like a broken record but I will not be racing @worldtriathlonbermuda. Brutal news to announce. After some decent running in Jan + Feb, my foot was just not right. I had an ultra sound & MRI which showed the tear in my post tib tendon was still there. So another PRP injection and in a moon boot. (This was 6 weeks ago). Of course I hoped I would be ok to line up in Bermuda, but that is not the case. I had to really back off training, unload and let the tendon heal. 🤞🏻 This photo was taken last year in Bermuda as I racked my bike on race day. I can remember being so happy, excited and (surprisingly) calm to be racing at home. Devastated not to be this year, but I’ll be back. In the meantime I’ll be there cheering! 🇧🇲 | 📷 @meredithphoto

A post shared by floraduffy (@floraduffy) on Apr 14, 2019 at 8:13pm PDT

The full statement (below), confirms that she does plan to be back in 2020, and to “finish my ITU career at the Grand Final in Bermuda in 2021”.

Still have to be patient. No #WTSBermuda for me. pic.twitter.com/I4X1m786EK

— Flora Duffy (@floraduffy) April 15, 2019

Flora’s last race on the ITU circuit was the World Triathlon Hamburg last year (10th), and Flora has been struggling with a foot injury since before that race. With the Tokyo 2020 Olympics coming up next year, getting fit and healthy again as to be the priority – despite the obvious frustrations of missing that chance to race on the roads that she knows so well.

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Ouch Hamburg. That was a tough pill to swallow for many reasons. It really did shed some perspective on appreciating the good times. The last 8 weeks have been really difficult but I did all I could to get to the start line to keep the world title dream alive. After not running for eight weeks, I only had one card to play and that was attack the swim/ bike. After a mediocre swim (for me), I did what I could on the bike but no one wanted to work with me…just chase me down. 🤔🤷🏼‍♀️ The hardest part was my foot hurt with every step on the run. So I just had to survive the run…..not a fun strategy. Sharing this to just keep it real. The highs and lows of sport. Part of the journey (and a lot less fun part 🙃) BUT on a positive note, I had a beautiful new @rokasports race suit and @iamspecialized Venge to race! 📷 @janosmschmidt

A post shared by floraduffy (@floraduffy) on Jul 16, 2018 at 6:56am PDT