on the Bermuda triathlon scene and yesterday was no exception at the National Sprint Championships.

The two, who have won just about every triathlon staged on the Island over the past few years, dominated a strong field of 65 competitors to take the men's and women's titles at Clearwater Beach.

De ste Croix breezed through the 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre cycle and five-kilometre run in 64 minutes and ten seconds, holding off a challenge from Kevin Tucker, who arrived 18 seconds later. Andrew Doble was another 1:22 back, finishing third in 65:50.

Palmer was the top woman and finished sixth overall. Her time of 68:32 was nearly three minutes faster than Melanie Claude.

A slightly different course had competitors swim along the shoreline before embarking on four five-kilometre loops on their bikes, then running three laps.

But unlike other years, de ste Croix didn't have things entirely his own way.

He and Tucker emerged from the water together before de ste Croix opened a 40-second lead on the bike.

Tucker, a former national cycling champion and one of the Island's top runners, has re-entered the triathlon scene after two years of semi-retirement. His return could make for an interesting showdown at the Bank of Bermuda triathlon next month.

Palmer can only wish for similar competition. The former Commonwealth Games swimmer once again had a comfortable lead going into the bike and was never threatened.

In the 40-49 year-old age group, Jim Butterfield won the men's division and Kim Mason the women's. Barry Clegg took the men's 50-and over class.

Nuri Latham pipped Tyler Butterfield by a second for the junior boys crown and Alison Petty was the leading girl.

The competition was preceded by a Just for Fun event. Twelve-year-old Chris Conway beat out 34 other racers to win the overall title while his mother, Carolyn, was the first female finisher.