the Island's top triathletes descend on the popular resort of Cancun in Mexico.

They will join more than 2,000 others in search of glory at the 1995 ITU Triathlon World Championship, with teams from far away places such as Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand included.

Each will become a part of history as this year sees the event split into separate races, with the juniors and age groupers testing their skills in the three disciplines on Saturday, while the elite competitors see action the following day.

Bermuda's athletes are set to participate on the Saturday and team leader Neil de Ste. Croix yesterday was cautiously optimistic regarding their chances.

He admitted that they would stand little chance against powerhouses such as favourites Australia and the United States or many of the large European nations purely because of the huge talent pool these countries have available for selection.

He said they would instead judge themselves against those similar in size to Bermuda.

"We'll be looking at countries like the Cayman Islands and Hong Kong to see how we fare against them,'' said de Ste. Croix, who will be contesting the male 30-34 age category. "We just want to see how well we can do in the age groups. We used to put a team in the elite, but they're all professionals now and this (age group) is a little more realistic.

"It'll be extremely good competition, with all of the top age groupers from throughout the world.

"For us it means experience and also to give an indication as to where we are against other people in the world...I think we'll do OK.'' On the down side, the local team received a blow with the forced withdrawal of junior competitor Adam Smith following a mountain bike accident in San Diego.

Smith broke his heel in four places, broke his nose and needed 10 stitches to repair facial damage.

The Island's best chances lie with de Ste Croix and Shona Palmer (female 25-29), both far and away Bermuda's best male and female tandem.

Each have engaged in intense, special training in preparation for the event, but rather than all out victory, they seek improvement on current personal bests.

All senior competitors will have to successfully navigate a 1,500 metre Caribbean ocean swim at Playa Langosta, a flat coastal cycle ride of 40 kilometres followed by a similarly level run of 10 kilometres.

For Junior B competitors Kris Hedges and Jonathan Herring a 750 metre swim, 20 kilometre cycle and 20 kilometre run awaits.

And so anxious are the pair that they have already taken up residence in Mexico, after engaging in a week long overseas training course in final preparation for the big day.

Bermuda's squad: Kris Hedges, Jonathan Hedges (Junior B -- 13-15 years); Shona Palmer (Female 25-29); Michael Jeffrey (Male 25-29); Melanie Claude (Female 30-34); Neil de Ste. Croix, John Oberlin, Steve Donnelly, Trevor Todd (Male 30-34); Dawn Robinson, Robyn Peck (Female 35-39); Andrew Doble, Eloy Castroverde, Brian Peck, Lee Harrison, Dyrone Minors (Male 35-39); Steven Petty, George Sutherland, Simon Farmer (Male 40-44); Jeremy Ball (Male 45-49).

CANCUN BOUND -- Some of Bermuda's triathletes who head to Cancun in Mexico for the ITU World Triathlon Championships this weekend. From left to right, back row -- Steve Donnelly, Dyrone Minors, George Sutherland, Simon Farmer. Centre -- Lee Harrison, Andrew Doble, Jeremy Ball. Front -- Robyn Peck, Shona Palmer, Neil de Ste Croix, Patty Petty (team manager).