On the eve of the inaugural Escape to Bermuda Triathlon a handful of the overseas professionals involved are already predicting it will become a major event in the sport’s calendar, writes Stephen Wright.

The competition’s 17 professional athletes spent yesterday relaxing ahead at The Fairmont Southampton Princess as they prepare for the challenging one-mile swim, 24-mile cycle and six-mile run, which will feature 207 athletes.

And the elite pros reckon the race has massive potential due to Bermuda’s picturesque scenery and are anticipating the latest addition to the triathlon season to attract plenty of interest when news filters back to fellow triathletes.

Matt Reed, a favourite along with USA’s national champion Andy Potts, said he believed Escape to Bermuda would become “huge” in the future.

“Bermuda’s a beautiful place and I feel really bad because I didn’t bring my wife and child and they are stuck in Colorado where it’s pretty cold,” said the 31 year-old 2006 Escape to Alcatraz winner. “Next year I’ll definitely bring them here.

“It has quite a small field for professionals but it’s the first year and once word spreads how great the place is, and how great the race will be, I think there will be lots of interest.

Regarded as the best swimmer in triathlon, Benjamin Sanson, 36, of France, said he hoped for a podium place along with Potts and Reed.

“I’ve been very impressed with the organisation and how well they have taken care of us. This will be a race people will want to do, professionals and amateurs. It may be the end of the season but with this sort of prize money we will be taking it seriously.”

Alicia Kaye tipped Becky Lavelle and Lauren Groves as the female favourites, and said she had been “blown away” by Bermuda.

“I’ve just got here and I’ve been blown away by the backdrop,” she said. “I honestly believe this is the most beautiful triathlon.

“I think is going to be a race that’s going to get big really quickly. We were all joking about going back and telling people the water was dirty with lots of jelly fish, because once you find a great race it gets big quick.

“I would say the favourites will be Becky Lavelle and Lauren Groves but you also have Karen Smyers who is 46 and still kicking ass.”

The contest serves as a qualifier for the popular Escape to Alcatraz Triathlon and has a prize purse of $40,000. It will be televised into 66 million households via the Versus channel.

Athletes will be dropped off from ferries a mile off Dockyard at 7.30 a.m. for the swim, before finishing the run in St. George’s.