Clearwater Beach on Sunday evening for Bermuda Triathlon Association's National Sprint Triathlon Championships.

The men's field is expected to be dominated by juniors and veterans with 16-year-old Jonathan Herring, just back from a triathlon solidarity camp in Hawaii, a clear favourite for overall honours. Juniors Nick Taylor, Chris Conway, both members of the Bermuda national squad, and Brian Steinhoff will all be looking for a top 10 finish.

Kent Richardson, after an outstanding performance in Canada at the Canadian World Cup qualifier, will be leading the challenge among the older competitors and should comfortably take the 40-49 title. In fact, Richardson will have his eyes on the the overall title.

Granville Gibbons, Jim Butterfield and Andrew Doble are likely to be among the challengers in the 40-49 age group while Oliver Martin and Neil de ste Croix should also be in contention for a top three overall finish.

Missing from the field, however, will be Bermuda's top triathlete, Tyler Butterfield, who is still recovering from a bout of mononucleosis and has opted not to race.

The women's event should be close with Laurie Orchard, Julia Hawley and newcomer Karen Smith all in with a strong chance of taking the title. However, overall honours are likely to go to one of the top two British juniors who arrive on the Island on Saturday to assist the BTA with a junior clinic the following week.

Nineteen-year-old Joanne Hind is the number one ranked female triathlete in Britain and is the British national sprint triathlon and duathlon champion, while Chloe Ashpole, 16, is one of Great Britain's most promising juniors.

Accompanying them will be British national junior coach, Steve Trew, who will be running the clinic the following week for some 50 juniors.

Bermuda's junior women, Ashley Robinson Roberts, Melissa DeSilva and Robyn Dickinson, all members of the junior national squad, will be tested against the women for the first time and should acquit themselves well. Ashley Kirkpatrick will be attempting to make the qualifying time for the junior national squad.

A team event is also being staged over the 750 metre swim, 20K bike and 5K run, but with Bermuda Bicycle Association holding a criterium in the morning, few teams are expected as cyclists will be at a premium.

The race, sponsored by AON Insurance, starts at 6.00 but will be preceded by a junior triathlon at 5.00 p.m. and a beginners' triathlon.

Tim Fox and Justin Collis are the top contenders in the boys' seven to eight age group while Andrew Nichol, Brett Fox and Matthew Godfrey are likely to battle it out for the boys' nine to 10 title.

Alexandra Easton and Lianna Lambert will start as strong favourites for the girls' seven to eight and nine to 10 titles respectively, although Lambert will have strong competition if Emily Rowe is in the field.

In the older age groups Chelsea Burns and Flora Duffy should have a close race among the girls' 11 to 12. And after a fine race in the recent Ironkids, Geoffrey Smith should take the boys' 11-12 title with his competition coming from a number of promising juniors, notably Coyatito and Chayce Smith, Tyler Abbott and Dominique Nannette.

With most of the 13-15 year-olds opting to participate in the sprint championships, the 14-15 group should also be wide open, Robert Pantry and Mandy Oliver among the contenders.

Entry deadline is Thursday and entry forms are available from Sportseller and Winners Edge.

Ashley Robinson Roberts: moves up a level to compete with the senior women in this weekend's championships.

Granville Gibbons: among the favourites for the 40-49 title.