There are likely to be contrasting scenarios in this weekend?s Bank of Bermuda Foundation Individual Triathlon.

Barring any mishaps, the outcome of the men?s race is in all likelihood a foregone conclusion while the battle for the women?s crown is wide open.

The much-anticipated return of Olympic triathlete Tyler Butterfield ? fresh from winning the elite men?s title at last weekend?s CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix ? means the likes of Evan and Riaan Naude and the promising Coyatito Smith will have to fight for the remaining podium places.

By contrast, there is no clear favourite in the women?s field with several leading triathletes missing for various reasons. Kim McMullen and Lynn Patchett will both be overseas while teenager Flora Duffy is in school in England.

Karen Smith has entered but is unsure of how well she will fare given that she gave birth to a baby girl just two months ago.

?I haven?t been training much and I?m nowhere near my usual fitness. So I don?t have high expectations but we?ll see when the day comes.

?It?s not easy when you?re up a couple times a night and the baby is demanding to be fed,? she said.

However, she is confident she can negotiate the swim-bike-run course in Hamilton and is looking forward to racing again.

President of the Bermuda Triathlon Association (BTA) Steven Petty is optimistic of ?hitting the 100 mark? as far as numbers of entries, noting that in the wake of Hurricane Fabian last year the individual event still attracted 70 competitors.

The popular triathlon zeries takes place over the next two weekends with four races, including individual and team junior duathlon events and individual and team adult triathlon events. This is the 14th year of the race series which starts at Albuoy?s Point in Hamilton.

?The Bank of Bermuda Foundation Race Series is always a big attraction for our athletes as they are able to race in the City of Hamilton. It is a fast competitive course and it provides excellent vantage points for spectators,? said Petty.

?Having Tyler competing will make the race extremely exciting, not just for the other competitors, but also for those watching. Our young junior athletes will be able to witness Bermuda?s Olympic triathlete in action and hopefully this will inspire them to continue to pursue their athletic goals of competing at higher levels of competition.

?The BTA and the sponsors organise a great event and I encourage all of the local athletes to come out and participate. Numbers were affected last year, due to hurricane Fabian, so we are expecting a significant increase in competitors this year. Whether racing or spectating, this is going to be a fun event that everyone will enjoy.?

Entries for the team event close on October 6 and application forms are available from Bank of Bermuda branches, Sportseller and Winners Edge.

Adult triathlon individual event

Sunday, October 3

Categories: men?s and women?s races split into age categories

Race details: ? mile swim, 12 mile cycle, 3 mile run

Entry fee per competitor: $25

Adult triathlon team event

(one runner, one swimmer and one cyclist)

Sunday, October 10

Categories: open team, female team, family team, company team, masters team

Race details: 1 mile swim, 15 mile cycle, 6 mile run

Entry fee per team: $36

Junior Ultra Sprint Duathlon (individual event)

Sunday, October 3

Categories: boys? and girls? races split into age categories 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 years, in both mountain bike/BMX and road racing bike divisions.

Race details: 7-8, 9-10 year olds: ? mile run, 2? mile cycle, ? mile run

11-12, 13-14 year olds: 1 mile run, 5 mile cycle, 1 mile run

Entry fee per competitor: $5

Junior Ultra Sprint Team Duathlon (one runner, one cyclist)

Sunday, October 10

Categories: boys? and girls? races split into age categories in both mountain bike/BMX and road-racing bike divisions.

Race details: 7-8, 9-10 year olds: ? mile run, 2? mile cycle, ? mile run

11-12, 13-14 year olds: 1 mile run, 5 mile cycle, 1 mile run

Entry fee per team: $10