World Championships next Wednesday in Muskoka, Canada, to test their skills against the world's elite.

In all, 33 competitors as well as team manager Patty Petty and a five-person support crew will take up residence in the town of Huntsville to prepare for the race, which takes place next Saturday and is expected to attract over 2,000 competitors.

Team selection was made following the national trials in July with Neil de St.

Croix and Steve Donnelly being selected to head the six-member men's team vying for honours in the open division while Claire Sousa does likewise for the women. All three have previous experience having competed at the same event last year in Orlando, Florida.

"We're very excited about sending a team,'' said Bermuda Triathlon Association president Julia Hawley. "Although we have no hopes of being in medal contention at the championships, everyone is training hard and will be looking to achieve personal bests, which would be a great success.'' Athletes will be hard pressed in covering the 1.5-kilometre swim, 40-kilometre cycle and 10-kilometre run especially with cool water temperatures expected -- 60 to 66 degrees -- and the cycle taking in some very hilly terrain. However the run may offer a bit of a respite in that most of it covers various golf course trails and not much in the form of steep inclines.

While the top men and women take part in the team event, others will go at it in the various age groups as individual participants. Categories Bermuda will have representatives in range from 25-29, 30-34, 35-39 and 40-44.

Promising newcomer Trevor Todd is one to watch in the younger section while Jim Butterfield, the forefather of the sport on the Island, stands out as a notable in the 40-44 bracket. Most of the delegation is made up of runners, who decided to try their hand at the other two disciplines and became `hooked' on a sport that is rapidly growing in stature throughout the world.

"These world championships are a stepping stone for the triathlon becoming a full-fledged Olympic sport,'' said Hawley. "Right now we are recognised by the International Olympic Committee, but our ultimate goal is to have representatives at the Olympics.'' Bermuda previously had competitors at the inaugural event in France three years ago before skipping the 1990 meet in Australia.

The following is the team list: Men's National Team: Neil de St. Croix, Steve Donnelly, Kevin Tucker, George Sutherland, Jeremy Ball, Brett Forgesson Women's National Team: Claire Sousa, Melanie Claude, Aliston Stimpson, Jeana Jones, Jane Christie, Lynn Kynoch Men's 25-29: Trevor Todd, Guy Kelly, Odelio Angeli, Mike Bouchard Women's 25-29: Nicola Lawson Men's 30-34: Rod Prime, Alaa Elysated, Lee Harrison, Andrew Doble, Paul Claude, Steve Lund, Glyn Sexton, Eloy Castroverde Women's 30-34: Karen Armstrong, Tracy Carey, Page Metha Men's 35-39: Tom Thornsteinson, Simon Farmer, Brian Peck Men's 40-44: Steven Petty, Jim Butterfield The Bermuda Team Triathlon will take place September 27, and includes four new categories: Junior Female Team (Under 16), Junior Male Team, Master Male Team (Over 40), Master Female Team.

October 4 sees the Bermuda Individual Triathlon Event taking place.

Clydesdale/Female (150 lbs. and Over) as well as Clydesdale/Male (200 lbs. and Over) classes have been added bringing the number of categories to 12.

STEVE DONNELLY -- Will be in his second Worlds.