For Bermuda's triathletes, the chance to compete alongside some of the world's top professionals in last weekend's ITU Triathlon World Cup was a chance not to be missed.

Neil de Ste. Croix justified his Bermuda national champion status by beating his three male local colleagues, to come in 21st overall at 2.15.01 hours. The three-pronged race ended in disappointment, however, for Shona Palmer, Bermuda's only female entrant: halfway through the biking section, she had to withdraw with a flat tyre.

Both agree that while they had never hoped to win, it was an honour to be selected to take part in the world event, the first time the ITU has ever staged a race in Bermuda. The 1995 schedule of 11 meets which constitute the World Cup, includes races in France, Northern Ireland, Spain, Japan, Canada, USA, Brazil, New Zealand, Australia and Mexico. With the Bermuda section televised worldwide for future showing on ESPN and ESPN 2 and other television networks, organisers have expressed relief that Sunday's event was such a success, with competitors swimming one mile off the beautiful Southampton Princes Beach Club, picking up their bikes at Horseshoe Bay to cycle 40 kilometres along the South Shore Road, before tackling the gruelling 10-kilometre running loop between the Southampton Princess and Warwick Camp -- a feat that had to be repeated three times.

Mr. Ste. Croix says he began competing in the Triathlon when he came to Bermuda six years ago from his home in Jersey in the Channel Islands.

"My strongest discipline is running, then cycling, and then swimming,'' he said.

Admitting that training does take up a lot of his spare time in the summer months, he explains his normal schedule of training (which begins in February) involves a 25-mile cycle ride five or six days a week before work, with a run or swim at lunch time.

Heavy training schedule for Bermuda triathletes "I usually swim three evenings a week and two or three times in the ocean and I run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, usually about four to six miles.'' In addition to this punishing schedule, he has just started snorkelling: "I've always been active in sport and used to do water-skiing and power boat racing in Jersey.'' In the winter, he turns to weight training, "but I don't have time for that in the summer and, in any case, swimming takes care of upper body work very effectively''.

As if all this acitivity is not enough, Mr. Ste.

Croix has also been very active organising the Triathlon Junior Programme.

"I coach this, along with Dave Morrison, Steve Petty and Jeremy Ball, and this year, we took 17 kids, aged eight to 15 to compete in the Iron Kids Junior Triathlon.'' Explaining that this first year was experimental, he says he and his fellow coaches were encouraged by the talent they encountered.

"It has been such a success, we're hoping to expand the programme next year.'' Both triathletes are adamant that they are not slaves to their pursuit of excellence: they eat what they call "normal but good and varied'' diets, with emphasis on carbohydrates and proteins and, because they work so hard and need a high calorie intake, there is room, also, for some sugar and fats.

"I try not to eat junk food,'' admits Mrs. Palmer, "but I do eat the occasional chocolate and cookies.'' "I'm not as strict about diet as my wife is,'' says Mr. Ste. Croix, "but I can get away with eating junk sometimes!'' Mrs. Palmer, who works as a physiotherapist, says that in spite of the anti-climax of having to abandon the race, she was surprised by her own performance. "These were the top professionals and I managed to stick with them in the swim, and I think I was actually catching up one of the pros on the bike section, until I got that puncture!'' There is no let-up for either triathlete after the intensive training for the weekend event. Both are working towards the World Championships which are being held in Cancun, Mexico, in November.

"I have no idea how I will get on in Mexico. I don't expect to win, but I'm told that my expectations are lower than they should be, but maybe that's a good thing!'' She plans to race in the age group category, which is separate from the professionals race.

"I was quite naive about my own level of achievement. It was only when I went to Atlanta in August that I realised this. I won my age group by eight minutes and was fourth overall, with only professionals and `elites' (semi-professionals) ahead of me, so that was very encouraging.'' With two main triathlon events in Bermuda each year, she came first in both this year. Her training includes cycling early in the mornings, around six swimming sessions a week and either running or swimming six days a week. On Sundays, she tries to complete a full triathlon, to get used to the transitions.

This year, she has been plagued with running injuries, although, she insists, she tries to practise what she preaches to her patients.

"Yes, I do like to work with sports injuries but I'm not a specialist. People are always coming to me with some query or other and I'm willing to give out free advice, but I can't give out free treatment.'' Mrs. Palmer, who swam for Scotland and was a member of the Great Britain Youth Swimming Team, says she only became involved in the Triathlon when she came here.

"I'd always fancied it as a sport, but was put off by the thought of biking and running in the British winter! Bermuda is an ideal place for this sport, the climate is so wonderful!''